How To Make Baileys Frosting

You will not find a buttercream more delicious, decadent and divine that this one-bowl Baileys icing, with a hint of chocolate and distinctive Baileys flavour.

It takes just four simple ingredients and a couple of up steps to make this incredibly morish Baileys icing. First, you'll whisk butter on its own. This is a clever technique to get your butter soft and creamy.

You'll then sift in your cocoa and icing sugar so that it's perfectly smooth and lump-free, pour in your Baileys, and then whip everything together into a luxurious, airy frosting.

Pipe it onto Baileys cupcakes, spread it on Baileys brownies, sandwich it in a Baileys layer cake, or just dig in with a spoon! Everyone who tried this Baileys icing will adore it.

Here's the full, easy recipe for Baileys icing.

Instructions

Place the butter in a large bowl.

Whisk until soft.

Sift in the icing sugar and cocoa powder. Add the Baileys.

Whisk starting slowly until just combined, then whisk on high until the frosting is pale, creamy and significantly increased in volume.

Your Baileys icing is now ready to use.

Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect Baileys icing

Is Baileys icing easy to make?

This Baileys icing is super easy to make. It’s only 4 ingredients and all you have to do is mix them together. This type of frosting is also pretty foolproof as it doesn’t split very easily, compared to say a cream cheese frosting. 

Getting the mixing right will be easier if you use a stand mixer and follow the recipe steps exactly. You’ll need to take care not to let your frosting get too warm or too cold, overmix the frosting or add too much liquid. Luckily, if you do get into trouble when making your frosting then it should be easy enough to remedy with some of the tips below.

Will I need any special equipment for Baileys icing?

You’ll probably have everything you need for this recipe. You only need some measuring equipment like scales and a jug, a bowl and a whisk to make this Baileys icing.

You can mix this icing by hand if you like, but if you need some extra help or just want to save your arm from whisking, then using a stand mixer is ideal.

There is a full list of suggested equipment on the recipe card below.

Why do you recommend Baileys?

This recipe calls for Baileys, but you can use any Irish cream liqueur. So you don’t have to use Baileys for this recipe as there are many good quality Irish cream liqueurs on the market.

Baileys is the original Irish cream liqueur and it is made from fresh dairy cream, Irish whiskey and flavourings like chocolate. Most Irish creams have a similar ingredients list, but if you do use an alternative make sure you buy an original Irish cream flavour as there are many variations.

Where can I buy Baileys? 

Baileys is available around the world, but it is most popular in the UK, US and Australia. Remember you can use any brand of Irish cream if you can’t find Baileys.

You can usually find Baileys or another brand of Irish cream on the liquor aisle of your supermarket or in an off-license. However it can often sell out during the festive season, so you might have to buy a bottle from Amazon or another online retailer.

How can I tell if Baileys have gone off?

At the time of writing (November 2021) bottles of Baileys come with a Best Before date of around 24 months from the production date. This is because the alcohol in the whiskey acts as a preservative to keep the dairy from spoiling.

Remember, a Use By date is used to mark when it becomes unsafe to consume food and drink and should never be exceeded. Whereas a Best Before End date is more an indicator of when the food or drink will taste it’s best. So food or drink can be safely consumed beyond the Best Before date as long as there are no signs of spoilage.

According to several unofficial sources, the 24-month shelf life still applies even if your bottle has been opened, and whether or not it has been kept in the fridge. 

If you open your Baileys and it has changed colour, smells strange or has split or curdled in any way, then it won’t be safe to use. 

So it might be safe for you to use a bottle of Baileys you got as a present last Christmas, as long as it’s been stored safely and looks, smells and tastes like regular Baileys. Though you should never risk it with food or drink you aren’t sure about. I would always recommend keeping your Baileys either in the fridge or in a cool cupboard and always with the lid firmly screwed on.

How can I tell if butter has gone off?

Your butter should be a pale, creamy yellow colour and it should be firm and only have the delicious and distinctive buttery aroma. So you’ll usually be able to tell if your butter has spoiled as soon as you open the packet.

Spoiled butter will usually be a darker colour rather than the pale creamy yellow. It will most likely smell strange too, similar to the smell of spoiled milk or cheese. 

It’s best to keep butter in the fridge as it will spoil if it isn’t kept somewhere cool or if it’s left exposed to the air. You should always keep butter sealed in the fridge and away from any potential contaminants like raw meat.

Is Baileys icing suitable for vegetarians?

Vegetarians don’t eat meat or fish, but they do eat eggs and dairy. So this Baileys icing recipe is perfectly fine for vegetarians to eat. 

At the time of writing  (November 2021) Original Baileys includes cream, whiskey and flavourings and all of the ingredients are vegetarian. However, if you use a non-brand Irish cream you should double-check that it’s ingredients are vegetarian.

When you’re cooking for vegetarians and vegans it’s important to double-check all of your ingredients labels to make sure that they’re suitable. 

Is Baileys icing suitable for vegans?

While vegetarians can eat dairy, vegans do not as veganism means not consuming anything derived from an animal. So this Baileys icing recipe isn’t vegan as it contains dairy.

However, you could try making this recipe with vegan alternatives. There are many great non-dairy vegan butters available in supermarkets around the world. So you could replace the dairy butter in this recipe with a vegan alternative. 

Just make sure to use vegan butter with similar fat content to dairy butter (around 80%), so that it has the same consistency as this recipe. 

For a vegan alternative to Baileys there are many options. Baileys has a plant-based version of the original recipe called ‘Baileys Almande’, made using Almond milk, almond oil and almond essence. At the time of writing this (November 2021) Baileys Almande is suitable for vegans.

However make sure you buy a certified vegan version of Baileys Almande, as some previous versions contained beeswax in the ingredients, making it unsuitable for vegans.

Double-check all of your ingredients labels to make sure to check that they are suitable for vegans. 

Is Baileys icing gluten-free?

In theory, yes, this recipe is gluten-free. However, while Baileys is considered to be gluten-free, some people are concerned that the Irish whiskey used to produce Baileys may contain gluten as whiskey can be made from wheat grains. 

While many people don’t consider whiskey to contain gluten, as the distillation process removes or destroys gluten, if you are particularly sensitive to gluten then you should make the choice for yourself.

If you plan to use this icing to top a cake made for someone who can't eat gluten, then make sure to follow a gluten-free recipe.

Is Baileys icing keto-friendly?

The sugar and alcohol content in this Baileys icing means that it isn’t suitable for a ketogenic diet.

Is Baileys icing healthy?

This Baileys icing is a decadent addition to any cake. While it isn’t necessarily healthy, it’s fine to enjoy as part of a healthy and balanced diet.

Is Baileys icing safe to eat while pregnant?

This Baileys icing contains alcohol so it’s probably best to avoid it while pregnant. The NHS and many other world health authorities advise that pregnant people avoid alcohol for the safety of the pregnancy. 

A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. So please seek help from a medical professional if you need further information or have any concerns.

What goes well with Baileys icing?

This Baileys icing will go well with almost any baked good you want to use it with. I have several Baileys based bake recipes that you could use this icing with. 

So if you have a Baileys lover in your life, you can use this frosting and make them anything from Baileys brownies and blondies to Baileys cupcakes and cheesecakes.

Can I make Baileys icing without Baileys?

This Baileys icing relies on the flavour of Baileys as a key ingredient and the amount of liquid from the Baileys helps give it its smooth texture.

However, if you can’t find Baileys it’s completely fine to use another brand of Irish cream. You can usually find Irish cream in your local supermarket or off-license. 

Can I add extra Baileys to this recipe?

This recipe has been balanced with the right amount of ingredients so you get a smooth textured Baileys icing. So it’s best that you don’t play with the ratios of the ingredients or you might end up with an icing that is too loose or wet.

If you want to make more icing there’s information on that below.

How should I store Baileys icing?

You should store your Baileys icing in the fridge in an airtight container to avoid the butter in the buttercream spoiling. You can also freeze the icing for up to 3 months.

How long does Baileys icing keep?

If you want to make your Baileys icing ahead you can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days before you need to use it. 

Some sources recommend keeping buttercream for up to two weeks, others for up to five days. As long as your butter is in date and is stored correctly, keeping your buttercream for up to a week should be fine. However, it’s always safest to make it fresh with fresh butter.

Can I leave Baileys icing out on the counter?

No, your Baileys icing should be kept in the fridge or freezer, otherwise the frosting will melt and be too soft and the butter will spoil.

Can I make Baileys icing ahead?

Yes, if you want to make your Baileys icing that’s fine. You can make it a few days ahead of time and store it in the fridge as directed above, or you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Can I keep Baileys icing in the refrigerator?

Yes, the best place to store your Baileys icing is in the refrigerator as this will keep it at the right consistency and keep the butter as fresh as possible.

 Remember to make sure the container you store it in is clean and airtight to avoid any contamination.

Can I freeze Baileys icing?

Yes, if you want to freeze your Baileys icing you can keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. 

What is the best way to defrost Baileys icing?

The best way to defrost your Baileys icing is to remove it from the freezer the night before you plan to use it. Put the container in the fridge and it will have defrosted overnight.

 Don’t leave it out on the counter to defrost as it might become too warm and your frosting might be too loose to use. 

Can I make Baileys icing in a different quantity?

Yes, if you want to make more or less of this recipe then go right ahead. There’s a tool in the recipe card below that will work out the quantities and ratios for you.

On the recipe card go to the ‘servings’ number. Click on the number and a little slider will pop up. You can then move the slider up or down to change the amount of icing you want to make.

All the ingredient quantities will update automatically for you so that everything is in the right ratios.

Can I bake this Baileys icing and make it as a cake?

This recipe is just for Baileys icing which can be used to top or fill a sandwich cake. If you tried to bake the icing you’d just end up with a bowl of melted butter and Baileys. (Although, that sounds great to be honest!)

I have a great Baileys cake recipe here which uses Baileys icing, or you could even make my Baileys no bake cheesecake.

Can I make Baileys icing in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?

Yes, this recipe is all about the mixing, so using a stand mixer will help save your arm from tiring and let you get an even mix.

According to Baileys, the original Baileys recipe was actually mixed in a Kenwood stand mixer. So using a stand mixer would be an especially appropriate way to prepare this icing.

Can I make Baileys icing with a food processor?

You can make this Baileys icing in a food processor if you want, but it’s better to use a stand mixer as sometimes the blade attachment of a food processor isn’t adequate enough to mix frosting.

 It’s also a bit messier to get all of your frosting out of a food processor jug so a stand mixer is more convenient.

How can I make sure my Baileys icing turn out perfectly?

To make sure your Baileys icing turns out perfectly, you’ll need to make sure your butter is beaten until it is nice and smooth. So there should be no lumps by the time you add your sugar and cocoa powder. You should make sure that your butter isn’t too cold before you use it, otherwise, it will take longer to beat into a smooth texture and might cause it to have uneven lumps.

When you add your icing sugar and cocoa powder you should make sure that you sift it first to reduce the chance of lumps. Again, just as when you mixed the butter, you’ll need to make sure it's beaten until smooth. 

Gradually adding the dry ingredients as you mix will help make it easier and less messy to mix. If you add all of the sugar at once you might end up with a big sugar dust storm in your kitchen.

When you add the Baileys to your mixture you should add it gradually so it mixes into the icing smoothly. 

Why did my Baileys icing split?

If your Baileys icing split then it’s probably because you added the Baileys all at once and it hasn’t been mixed in properly. If this is the case then just keep mixing everything until it starts to come together.

If you have split icing then it could also mean that your butter was too cold. Again, keep mixing and everything should come together into a nice smooth icing.

If it starts to get too loose while you’re trying to bring it together then it might be because the butter has melted. Chill the mix for 30 minutes and give it another mix and it should rectify any issues.

Why did my Baileys icing turn out wet/sloppy?

If your Baileys icing is too wet or sloppy then it means you’ve added too much Baileys or your butter is too warm.

 If you added the correct amount of Baileys then just chill your icing for 30 minutes and then try mixing it again and it should thicken up nicely.

Why did my Baileys icing turn out lumpy/grainy?

If your Baileys icing is lumpy or grainy then don’t worry! It should be easy to fix. 

As I said above, your icing might be lumpy because your butter was too cold. If your butter is too cold then it will struggle to blend together, so just keep mixing it a little more until it comes together into a smooth consistency. 

Or it might be because you didn’t sift your icing sugar and cocoa powder when you added it. Again, keep mixing to try and bring the ingredients together. If it gets too loose or wet because the butter is melting then you’ll need to chill the icing for 30 mins and then try mixing it again.

How can I add/change the flavours in these Baileys icing?

This Baileys icing recipe is designed to give you a luxurious icing with flavours of Baileys irish cream. For an easy way to play with the flavours in this icing you could just add spices like cinnamon, cloves or nutmeg to make it even more festive. Or you could use the other varieties of Baileys like the Apple Pie or Pina Colada flavours. 

Or if you want to make another liqueur flavoured icing then go right ahead. You could try using Kahlúa (Coffee flavoured liqueur) or Frangelico (Hazelnut liqueur) together in the same quantity as the Baileys for an Espresso Martini flavoured icing.

Who invented Baileys?

Baileys Original Irish Cream was first invented in Ireland in the 1970s. It was championed by a liquor marketer called Tom Jago. Jago also pioneered Malibu rum and Johnnie Walker Blue Label, so he’s probably responsible for many of your teenage hangovers!

While there are many Irish cream liqueurs on the market, Baileys is the original. It’s a blend of Irish whiskey, fresh dairy cream, vanilla and chocolate flavourings. 

Most Irish cream liqueurs have a similar ingredient list, though there are many variations including flavours like strawberries and cream, pina colada or even a birthday cake flavour. Baileys have also started making a vegan version with a plant-based milk replacing the dairy.

While Irish cream is made and sold all around the world, Baileys is only made in their Irish factories. It’s mainly sold in the UK, US and Australia. However, in the EU all drinks labelled “Irish cream” must be produced in Ireland, much like Champagne being produced in the Champagne region of France. So if you want an authentic Irish cream outside of the UK, Ireland and EU, buying a bottle of real Baileys is the best option.

Why do we drink Baileys during Christmas?

It’s hard to say exactly why we drink Baileys during Christmas. It’s probably because the flavours go so well with many festive treats. 

Whiskey is often given as a gift at Christmas so many people tend to enjoy whiskey over the festive season. So drinking Baileys is like having a whiskey and a festive dessert all in one!

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