Baileys Cheesecake

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This Baileys Cheesecake has a chocolate cookie crust, creamy Baileys cheesecake filling, Baileys chocolate ganache and Baileys whipped cream. The flavor is amazing, the filling is decadent and it’s sure to be a hit!

Creamy Homemade Baileys Cheesecake

Two things I really love are Baileys and cheesecake. There’s no shortage of Baileys-flavored desserts on this site. So when I realized I didn’t just have a pure Baileys cheesecake recipe, I knew I had to fix the situation.

This cheesecake is very similar to my classic vanilla cheesecake base, with some sour cream swapped out for Baileys. There’s a half cup of Baileys in the filling, which gives it great Baileys flavor without being overpowering. There’s also Baileys in the chocolate ganache and whipped cream. Even when all combined, it’s not too much, but it’s definitely the perfect flavor and SO good!

The final cheesecake is thick, creamy and the perfect combination of Baileys and cheesecake, with a bit of chocolate to compliment it. While cheesecakes take a while to bake, they are really quite simple, yet impressive. Perfect for serving at a dinner party and sure to wow your guests!

Why You’ll Love this Cheesecake Recipe

What’s not to love about a cheesecake that has been infused with Baileys Irish Cream from top to bottom? Let me share a few of my favorite things about this delectable dessert.

• Great texture. This cheesecake is thick, creamy, and delicious. The cream cheese and sour cream come together to create a texture that will have you reaching for the next bite before you even finish the first.
• Lots of Baileys. Baileys has such a unique, amazing flavor to it. I made sure to give it a place in most every aspect of this recipe. You won’t miss Baileys in a single bite.

What You’ll Need

Here is a list of everything you will need to make this delightful Baileys Cheesecake. Scroll to the recipe below for detailed measurements.

Crust

• Oreos – You’ll use the entire Oreo – filling and all.
• Butter – Use salted or unsalted butter here. Salted butter will add a bit more flavor though.

Filling

• Cream cheese – It is important to start off with room temperature cream cheese. Cold cream cheese won’t mix well with the other ingredients and will leave you with a chunky filling.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar is best.
• All-purpose flour – You can use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour instead.
• Sour cream – Start with room-temperature sour cream. It will incorporate more easily with the other ingredients, giving you a smoother filling.
• Baileys Irish Cream
• Vanilla extract
• Eggs – The eggs should be at room temperature.

Chocolate Ganache

• Semi-sweet chocolate chips – I love semi-sweet because it’s a nice balance between the more sweet and bitter varieties.
• Baileys Irish Cream
• Heavy whipping cream

Baileys Whipped Cream

• Heavy whipping cream – The heavy whipping cream should be cold otherwise it won’t whip up properly.
• Powdered sugar – To stabilize the whipped cream
• Baileys Irish Cream
• Oreo crumbs – Feel free to play with other toppings as well such as crumbled chocolate chip cookies or chocolate shavings.

What is Baileys Irish Cream?

Baileys Irish Cream is a dessert liquor made from Irish whisky, Irish cream, cocoa, and a hint of vanilla. Originally it was (and still often is) enjoyed as a sweet beverage served over ice and sipped slowly. Since its origination in 1973, however, it has made its way into all sorts of desserts. Cakes, cookies, cupcakes, cheesecakes, trifles, you name it.

How to Make Baileys Cheesecake

This recipe may seem somewhat daunting, as there are a variety of components that go into it. But it really isn’t hard and cheesecake truly is forgiving. Just follow my instructions carefully and you will have the cheesecake of your dreams. Here’s an overview of how to make Baileys cheesecake. Scroll to the recipe below for more detailed instructions.

To make the crust:

• Prep. Preheat oven to 325°F, line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease the sides.
• Make the crust. Combine the crust ingredients and press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the springform pan.
• Bake for 10 minutes.
• Cool. Allow the crust to cool.
• Leak-proof the pan. Set up your pan for a water bath.

To make the filling:

• Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and flour together on low speed until smooth. Add the sour cream and mix until smooth.

• Add the Baileys, vanilla, and eggs. Add Baileys Irish Cream and vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition until smooth.

• Prepare to bake. Pour the cheesecake batter into the crust and place the pan in a water bath.

• Bake. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Cool. Turn off the oven and leave the door closed for 30 minutes before cracking the door of the oven and allowing the cheesecake to sit for an additional 30 minutes.
• Chill. Remove the cheesecake from the water bath, remove the aluminum foil, and place the dessert in the refrigerator for 5-6 hours.

To Finish off the Cheesecake:

• Make the chocolate ganache. Microwave the Baileys and heavy whipping cream until the mixture boils slightly and pour it over the chocolate chips. Let the mixture sit for a couple of minutes until mixing to a smooth consistency.

• Pour the ganache over the cheesecake, spread evenly, and place the cake in the refrigerator.
• Make the whipped cream. Whip the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and Baileys on high speed until stiff peaks form. Pipe the whipped cream onto the cheesecake.

Tips for Perfect Cheesecake

Cheesecakes are a labor of love. Here are some important things to keep in mind if you want to end up with the best Baileys cheesecake possible. Check out my post on How to Make a Perfect Cheesecake for more tips and tricks.

• Start with room-temperature ingredients. It is essential to start off with room-temperature cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs. They will incorporate more smoothly with each other and the other ingredients saving you from a clumpy cheesecake filling.
• Don’t skip the water bath. It can seem like a hassle to make a water bath for your cheesecake but trust me it’s worth it. It will help the cheesecake cook more evenly, save you from overly browned edges, and will help keep the cheesecake moist and crack-free.
• No peaking. Whatever you do, don’t open the oven once you’ve put the cheesecake inside. The steam from the water bath will escape, disrupting the baking process and potentially giving you a cheesecake that falls flat in the middle.
• Cool gradually. It might be tempting to pull the cheesecake out of the oven once the bake time is up. Don’t. Allowing the dessert to cool gradually in the oven (and continue baking simultaneously) is an important step in the process.

Topping Ideas

Because this cheesecake has an Oreo crust, I felt it fitting to suggest Oreo crumbles as a topping. That being said, there are a variety of other ways to go about it as well. Here are some options.

• Cookie crumbles. Grab your favorite store-bought chocolate chip cookies or make your own! These Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies or my Chocolate Sugar Cookies would both be great choices.
• Drizzle it with sauce. Try my Easy Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce or this Easy Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe.
• Chocolate shavings. Drab your favorite bar of dark chocolate (or milk or semi-sweet) and shave it over the top of the cheesecake for an elegant finish.

How to Store a Cheesecake

Once the cheesecake has chilled, place it in a cake carrier or wrap it in a double layer of saran wrap before storing it in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. I recommend using toothpicks to prop the saran wrap away from any decorations you may have added. You can also hold off on adding the whipped cream and other decorations until ready to serve.

Alternatively, you can slice the cake and arrange the slices in an airtight container with parchment paper separating any layers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Check out my post on how to store cheesecake for more tips.

Can You Freeze Cheesecake?

You can! After the Baileys cheesecake has chilled, place it in the freezer for a couple of hours to give it a chance to set. This is called flash freezing. Next, wrap the entire cake in a double layer of saran wrap and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

You can also slice Baileys cheesecake, flash freeze the slices, and wrap individual slices in saran wrap or store them together in an airtight container (with any layers separated with parchment paper). The slices should be fine in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Regardless of what method you choose, when it comes time to enjoy the cheesecake, transfer it to the refrigerator to thaw overnight before diving in.

More Baileys Dessert Ideas

Do you love Baileys just as much as I do? You’re in luck. While this cheesecake is to die for, I also have a variety of other desserts featuring this tasty ingredient. Here they come.

• Baileys Brownie Cheesecake
• No Bake Baileys Chocolate Cheesecake
• Mini Baileys Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle
• Mini Baileys Chocolate Cheesecakes

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