Bailey’s buttercream is smooth, buttery and just a little bit boozy. An easy covering for cakes, and a great way to add a twist to a simple chocolate sponge.
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I love a glass of Bailey’s in the winter. It’s so warming, and such a lovely treat.
Its rich and creamy taste and milk-like consistency make Bailey’s ideal for baking with, adding to icing or just mixing with whipped cream to top a mince pie.
Bailey’s is super easy to work with, and compliments flavours like vanilla, chocolate and coffee incredibly well.
I use this Irish cream buttercream to cover and fill sandwich cakes or to pipe onto loaf cakes and cupcakes.
This recipe for Bailey’s Buttercream is fairly large, so will easily cover and fill a sandwich cake, and pipe at least 18 cupcakes.
You can, of course double, or halve it if needed, and there are instructions on freezing leftovers further down this post.
Ingredients for Bailey’s Buttercream Frosting
I like a really buttery icing. So my quantities aren’t what you often see for a buttercream.
Many buttercream recipes use 1 part butter and 2 parts icing sugar. But I find this really sweet (I do use it in some recipes, especially if I’m adding extras, but not often) and prefer a velvety, buttery mix of equal parts.
Using equal parts also means that you can add more icing sugar if you need to change the texture and that you can add liquid without it being too runny.
That said, if you prefer a sweeter buttercream, by all means, add more powdered sugar.
When I make Bailey’s Buttercream I use:
Bailey’s Irish Cream – or any other Irish Cream Liqueur (Aldi own for the win!)
Icing Sugar/Powdered Sugar
Unsalted Butter
Can I Add Extra Bailey’s to This Recipe?
You can.
Using equal parts butter and icing sugar means that it starts quite stiff, so you’ve got some room to play.
I’d add tiny bits at a time though and if the texture changes too much, add more icing sugar to compensate.
Adding Other Flavours to Bailey’s Buttercream
I love Bailey’s with chocolate.
If you wanted to add chocolate to this recipe, there are two options.
You could add around 20-30g of cocoa powder with the icing sugar, or melt 100g of dark or milk chocolate, leave it to cool and stir it in after your Bailey’s for a rich Chocolate and Bailey’s Buttercream.
Coffee and Bailey’s Buttercream is another fantastic option.
I’d mix a tablespoon of instant coffee granules with a little boiled water, just enough to dissolve the granules, and then leave it to cool before stirring in with the baileys.
Is Bailey’s Buttercream Icing Easy to Make?
Yes.
I recommend using a stand mixer, or an electric hand whisk, as it is quite stiff and can be hard work. (affiliate links)
But it really is a case of just mixing everything together and adjusting the quantities slightly for a flavour and texture that works for you.
Why Did My Bailey’s Icing Split?
Bailey’s is generally easy to work with because it’s milky and not acidic.
But if, for any reason, your buttercream has split, it might be because you’ve added the liquid too quickly.
Generally, it should all come back together if you just keep mixing for a little longer.
What Can You Do with Bailey’s Icing?
Some of the things you could use Bailey’s icing for include:
- Chocolate Cake with Bailey’s Buttercream
- Bailey’s Cupcakes
- Bailey’s Cake Filling
- Coffee Cupcakes with Bailey’s Frosting
How Long Does Bailey’s Icing Keep?
On a cake or in the fridge, your frosting will last for around 4-5 days.
Once piped onto a cake, you can leave it on the side, covered for around 3-4 days, but if your kitchen is very hot or you want it to last longer, I do recommend keeping it in the fridge.
Can I Freeze Bailey’s Buttercream Frosting?
Yes, if you have any left, pop it in an airtight container and freeze it for up to two months.
What is the Best Way to Defrost Bailey’s Buttercream?
Buttercream can become a little gritty when it thaws. But I generally find that if you thaw it slowly in the fridge and whisk in a little milk once it’s soft, the texture smooths out, and it’s fine to spread or pipe again.
Is Bailey’s Icing Suitable for Vegetarians?
Yes, Bailey’s icing is suitable for vegetarians.
Is Bailey’s Icing Suitable for Vegans?
This recipe isn’t vegan. Neither the butter nor the Bailey’s are suitable for vegans.
I believe that Bailey’s launched a vegan version a while back, but it’s not something that I’ve personally tried. There is a vegan Bailey’s icing recipe here, but I haven’t tried it myself.
Bailey’s buttercream
Ingredients
- 300 g Icing Sugar
- 300 g Unsalted Butter (At room temperature)
- 4 Tablespoons Bailey’s
Instructions
- Beat the butter until soft.
- Beat in the icing sugar until the mixture is smooth.
- Gently fold through the Bailey’s tablespoon at a time.
- Add more icing sugar if needed for a stiff, pipeable texture.
Notes
- If desired, add a tablespoon of cocoa powder, 100g of melted and cooled chocolate, or a splash of strong, cooled instant coffee with your Bailey’s for different flavours.
Any nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate. The information is provided using an online calculator and is specific to my ingredients. Please make your own calculations if you want precise information.
