Easy Baileys Irish Cream Chocolate Layer Cake

Name: Easy Baileys Irish Cream Chocolate Layer Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1¾ cups granulated sugar; ¾ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened); 1½ tsp baking powder; 1½ tsp baking soda; 1 tsp salt; 2 large eggs; 1 cup milk; ½ cup vegetable oil; ½ cup Baileys Irish Cream; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup boiling water; 1 tbsp espresso powder; 1 cup unsalted butter (softened at room temperature); 4 cups powdered sugar; ¼ cup Baileys Irish Cream; 1 tbsp cocoa powder; 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream

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This easy Baileys Irish Cream Chocolate Layer Cake is a rich and decadent dessert you will love! This incredibly moist and tender cake is infused with the delicious flavor of Baileys Irish Cream and topped with a creamy Baileys buttercream frosting. It makes the perfect St. Patrick’s Day dessert!

Baileys Irish cream two-layer cake iced with baileys buttercream icing and placed on a glass cake stand.

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This Baileys Chocolate Cake is a dreamy, creamy dessert that combines rich chocolate cake and buttercream frosting made from Baileys Irish Cream.

It's the perfect dessert for St. Patrick's Day after a delicious dinner of Irish Cottage Pie or Guinness Irish Lamb Stew with Irish Soda Bread without Buttermilk.

If you liked this recipe, try Bailey's Cheesecake next!

💗 Why You Will Love This Recipe

This super moist cake has a rich chocolate flavor.
Baileys Irish Cream adds a delicious flavor to the cake, making it perfect for special occasions.
This cake is made entirely from scratch, without any boxed cake mix or pudding.
A layer of fluffy frosting is spread between two soft layers of moist chocolate cake before being topped off with more frosting.
This foolproof recipe is surprisingly simple to make.

📋 Ingredients & Substitutions

The ingredients for the baileys chocolate cake measured out and placed on a wooden table.

Flour. I used all-purpose flour. I do not recommend using whole wheat flour; it will be too heavy and dense.
Cocoa powder. You want to make sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder for this recipe.
Baileys Irish Cream. This is needed to get that great Baileys flavor in the cake and the icing. You can even make Homemade Baileys Irish Cream if you feel ambitious!
Espresso powder. This is my secret ingredient when making a chocolate cake. It adds more depth of flavor, just like in my Coffee Mousse.

The ingredients for the Baileys buttercream frosting measured out and placed on a wooden table.

For Bailey's buttercream frosting:

Butter. Use unsalted butter and ensure it is at room temperature before using.
Powdered sugar is used to get light and fluffy frosting.
Baileys Irish Cream liqueur. This flavors the icing to complement the cake perfectly.
Heavy whipping cream. You can also use half-and-half or regular milk.

See the printable recipe card below for exact measurements and a complete list of ingredients.

🥣 How To Make Baileys Irish Cream Chocolate Cake

Overview

Mix the wet ingredients.
Mix the dry ingredients.
Combine wet and dry ingredients.
Mix the frosting.
Bake cake layers.
Frost and serve.

Step by step instructions

The dry ingredients for the cake batter mixed in a large glass mixing bowl.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter (or cooking spray) and dust liberally with flour. Set aside. Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

The wet ingredients for the cake batter mixed in a large glass mixing bowl.

Step 2: Beat the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, Baileys Irish Cream, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until combined.

The wet ingredients added to the dry ingredients.

Step 3: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined (do not overmix).

The cake batter after all of the ingredients are added and combined until smooth.

Step 4: Add boiling water and espresso powder and whisk until combined (the mixture will be very thin - don't worry, that's normal).

The cake batter divided evenly between two round cake pans.

Step 5: Divide cake batter evenly between prepared pans.

The cake baked and still in the two round cake pans on a wooden table.

Step 6: Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Once the cakes are done, allow them to cool in pans for 30 minutes, then invert them onto a parchment paper-covered wire rack to cool completely.

The butter mixed with a hand mixer until fluffy.

Step 7: When the cakes have cooled completely, prepare the buttercream frosting by creaming softened butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer for about 4 minutes or until light and fluffy.

The icing mixed after the powdered sugar, Baileys, and cocoa are added.

Step 8: Add the powdered sugar, cocoa, and Baileys Irish Cream. Mix on low speed until the ingredients are combined, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting becomes light and fluffy. Add the heavy cream and mix until smooth and creamy.

Buttercream icing applied on top of the first cake layer with a piping bag.

Step 9: Place one cake layer on a cake stand or plate once the cakes are cool. Spread a layer of the frosting on top of the cake layer.

The top of the second layer of cake covered in Baileys buttercream icing, applied with a piping bag and a star tip.

Step 10: Add the second cake layer on top of the frosting and spread another layer of frosting on top of that layer. Use the remaining frosting to frost the sides of the cake, if desired. Top the cake with shaved chocolate or mini chocolate chips, if desired.

Pro Tip: Use a piping bag and pipe the icing onto the cake as I did. It takes a little more effort, but it looks beautiful.

💭 Expert Tips

Don't overmix the batter.
Make sure the butter is at room temperature.
Be sure to let the cakes cool completely before adding the frosting. The frosting will melt and slide off if the cake is too warm.
If you want to ice the sides of the cake, apply a crumb coat first. A crumb coat is a thin layer of frosting applied to the cake before the final layer. It helps to catch any loose crumbs and creates a smooth surface for the last layer. After applying the crumb coat, refrigerate the cake for 15 minutes, then add a thick layer of frosting on top of the crumb coat.
The Baileys flavor is quite noticeable when you eat this cake fresh on the same day it was made, but the flavor diminishes by the second day. If you don't like the taste of Baileys that much, you may consider making this cake the day before.

🌡️ Storage

Refrigerator: Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Place the cake in an airtight container and freeze for up to two months. Remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

A large piece of Baileys chocolate cake on a white dessert plate, with the cake on a stand in the background.

🧾 Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different type of alcohol in this recipe?

Absolutely! You can also use any Irish cream or Kahlua.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes! This cake can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.

Can I make this recipe without the Baileys Irish Cream?

You can omit the Baileys Irish Cream and make a delicious chocolate cake without it. Replace it with an equal amount of milk, cream, sour cream, or yogurt.

Can I make this cake in a different pan?

Yes, you can make this cake in a 9 x 13-inch pan or a bundt pan. While the cooking time for the 9 x 13-inch pan is also 30 minutes, a bundt cake will need to cook for 35-40 minutes.

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