Baileys Irish Cream Ice Cream Recipe

This Baileys Irish Cream Ice Cream Recipe couldn't be easier to make. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day, and a fun way to have an adult treat that is simple and easy to make. Grab your blender, and let's great started. 

When it comes to desserts, does it get any better than ice cream? It's a favorite for so many reasons, but mainly because it hits all the flavor notes and is rich and creamy. But now that you can make it by adding Bailey's, this takes this simple dessert to a whole new level.

Instead of buying ice cream at the store, the simple steps below on the recipe card will show you how simple it is to make homemade ice cream. Loaded with deliciousness, and only a handful of ingredients are needed. Does it get any better than this? 

Speaking of fun desserts and boozy ice cream, be sure to check out my Skrewball Whiskey Ice Cream. This sweet dessert is an excellent pairing to enjoy after any meal. 

Ingredients

Whole milk - Whole milk is important because the extra added fat is needed. 

Heavy cream - This also helps with the texture. 

Sugar - To add a bit of sweetness. 

Irish cream - I like to use Bailey's, but you can use whatever brand you would like or use a homemade Irish cream liqueur. Also, don't add more than 3 ounces, or the ice cream won't freeze. 

Egg Yolks - Helps to add texture and also protein. 

Vanilla - To enhance the vanilla flavoring. 

How to make this Baileys Irish Cream Ice Cream Recipe

Step One: Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

Step Two: Pour the blended mixture into an ice cream machine.

Follow the instructions from the machine for how long to keep it in.

It should be nice and thick when done. 

Step Three: Put the ice cream mixture into a freezer-safe container and let it freeze for 3-4 hours. 

Variations 

Leave out the Bailey's - Even though it's in the name for this recipe, that doesn't mean it has to be added. You can easily make this a plain vanilla ice cream without adding the Bailey's for anyone who doesn't like it or shouldn't have it. Or swap in another liquer.

Add a color - Since I think that this would be fun for St. Patrick's Day, add a few drops of green food coloring to make it your own lucky ice cream recipe. 

Add instant coffee - If you want to make this boozy dessert a bit differently, you can add some instant coffee to this Baileys ice cream recipe. It'll be like having a cold brew coffee mixed with your favorite Irish cream recipe. Any fan of coffee will appreciate this.

Make chocolate ice cream - Add some chocolate sauce to the cream and milk mixture, and you'll have creamy ice cream that tastes like homemade chocolate ice cream. It still pairs perfectly with the alcoholic drink, making it a simple recipe to alter. Homemade ice cream recipes like this are easy to alter. You can use dark chocolate or a little bit of chocolate syrup to make this rich ice cream flavored like chocolate.

Add homemade whipping cream - If you want to take this homemade Baileys ice cream over the top, add some homemade cream to the ice cream base. It's a simple way to make Baileys lovers happy!

Common Questions 

What are the best toppings for ice cream? 

Adding ice cream toppings really is fun to do! This allows each person to make their own personal serving unique and different. Some of the most popular toppings for ice cream are sprinkles, caramel drizzle, hot fudge, crushed nuts like peanuts or walnuts, and chocolate chips.

If you want to add a bit of a crunch to your ice cream serving, Rice Krispies are an easy way to make that happen. You can also add crumbled candy bars on top as well to make it a super sweet ordeal. 

There are a lot of delicious options for toppings to this boozy ice cream recipe, so change it up every time you eat it for a special occasion. It's the perfect base with a fantastic flavor.

Can I really use raw egg yolks in ice cream?

I do it all the time. Really. If you are concerned about salmonella you can use pasteurized eggs. Or heat the ice cream base to temper it. You can see instructions for how to temper an ice cream base here.

How long does homemade ice cream stay good?

The key to keeping ice cream fresh and delicious is to make sure that you invest in a good ice cream storage container. As long as it's made for the freezer and has an airtight lid, this vanilla ice cream recipe should stay good for up to 2 weeks.

I highly doubt that it will last that long because it's delicious and going to go quickly, but that gives a timeframe and a goal of when to eat it by. 

You will know that it is starting to not be good by a change in appearance and texture. As the ice cream ages, it will start to develop ice crystals that you'll be able to notice when eating because of the texture. 

Also, if you notice ice forming on the ice cream, that's a good sign that it needs to be eaten or gotten rid of, as it's starting to get freezer-burnt.  (This is why you should eat it fast!) 

What do I eat Bailey's Ice Cream with? 

That's the great thing about ice cream. It stands alone well in a bowl or in a cone or can easily be paired with just about any other type of dessert. 

If you are eating this Bailey's Vanilla Ice Cream for Mardi Gras, a King's Cake is a fun addition to the dessert. For St. Patty's Day or other holidays, any festive cake or cobbler is great, too. 

The ice cream adds a nice balance of sweetness to any dessert that you can put on top of it, so it's never a bad idea to experiment and have fun with the flavors.