Ice cream with Baileys

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There is something about Baileys which just says ‘Christmas’ to me and I love adding it to all my favourite desserts to make festive twists on classics - just like this Baileys Ice Cream! Imagine the most deliciously smooth and creamy ice cream, infused with the sweet vanilla and chocolate-notes of Baileys, swirled with crunchy chocolate pieces. Trust me, it is so good. If you are a fan of Baileys (and judging by the popularity of my Baileys Tiramisu, quite a few of you are), you will love this Baileys Ice Cream recipe.

I know what you are thinking; homemade ice cream is super complicated and almost impossible to make if you don’t have an ice cream machine. Let me stop you there! It is perfectly possible to make delicious homemade ice cream without an ice cream machine - and it is all due to one not-so-secret ingredient: condensed milk! This is the best 2 ingredient no churn ice cream - it’s so incredibly easy but unbelievably delicious and there are so many ways to customise it. Trust me, once you give this method a go, there is no turning back…

Scoops of Ice cream with Baileys in a glass bowl

Why you will love this Ice cream with Baileys recipe:

It is so quick and easy - it literally takes less than 15 minutes prep.
It can be made ahead so it is an ideal Christmas dessert.
It is the perfect to serve as a lighter Christmas dessert or alongside Christmas pudding instead of brandy butter.
It is full of flavour and texture thanks to the sweet condensed milk and Baileys liqueur, crunchy chocolate chunks and creamy whipped cream.
It is super versatile, you can switch up the chopped chocolate to use whatever you prefer - you could also play around with different liqueurs.
It has no eggs so you don’t have to worry about serving homemade ice cream with partially cooked eggs to friends and family. This is an egg-free ice cream everyone can enjoy!
It uses just 4 staple ingredients that you are likely to already have in your fridge and cupboards.

Ingredients:

Full recipe can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, just scroll down!

Double cream - you must use double (heavy) cream in this recipe, single cream won’t whip up or set as well.

Condensed milk - I always have a tin of condensed milk in my cupboards - it is so good for whipping up a batch of easy fudge or, in this case, super easy no-churn homemade Baileys Ice Cream! In this recipe it brings the sweetness so you don’t need to add any more sugar.

Baileys liqueur - this is a wonderful Irish cream liqueur which brings the most delicious vanilla flavour with hints of chocolate. It is a staple in my house at Christmas.

Dark chocolate - opt for a good-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa for the best results.

Substitutions and Variations:

Baileys: if making for adults, you can drizzle the brownie layer with a splash of liqueur. Kirsch would be delicious for a nod to Black Forest Gateau, whilst Amaretto or Frangelico would give a delicious nutty flavour. You could also sherry or Baileys if you want something that sticks with the Christmas dessert theme.
Chocolate: I love the intensity of rich dark chocolate which complements the sweet Baileys perfectly. However, you could swap for milk or white chocolate, if you prefer - or use all three for a Triple Chocolate Baileys Ice Cream. Alternatively, you could use leftover Christmas chocolates (LINDOR or Maltesers are delicious), fudge pieces or chopped nuts for extra crunch.

Baking tin with Baileys Ice cream and scoop

Directions:

Here's a step by step guide for what you need to do, but you can find the full recipe below for detailed instructions.

ONE: Line a 900g / 2lb loaf tin with cling film, ensuring you have enough overhanging the sides. Pour the cream into a large mixing bowl and, using an electric whisk, whisk until you have soft peaks.

TWO: Add the condensed milk and Baileys liqueur and whisk again until thickened.

Adding dark chocolate chunks to the ice cream mixture.

THREE: Fold in half of the dark chocolate chunks until evenly distributed throughout.

Sprinkling chopped chocolate on top of the ice cream before chilling.

FOUR: Pour into the prepared tin and smooth over the top using a spatula. Sprinkle over the remaining chopped chocolate. Cover with cling film and freeze for at least 6 hours. Remove from the freezer 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Cooking Tips:

Whipped cream: take care to whip the cream just to soft peaks as it will be whisked further with the addition of the condensed milk and Baileys - if you over whip, it will split and you will eventually get something akin to butter.
Personalise: have fun trying different chocolates, nuts and fudge pieces in the filling - or experimenting with different liqueurs. Don’t be tempted to add too much liquid as that will affect the set.
The perfect scoop: for easy scooping, dip an ice cream scoop in hot water, dry on a clean cloth, then glide across the top and scoop down. You should get perfectly round, creamy scoops.
Slice and serve: if you want a cheffy presentation, use the overhanging cling film to lift the ice cream out of the loaf tin and, using a hot, dry knife, cut into slices. Set onto plates, drizzle over chocolate sauce and a sprinkling of toasted nuts, if wished, and serve. Yum!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really possible to make ice cream without an ice cream machine?

Yes! With just 2 ingredients you can make ice cream! By whisking double cream with condensed milk and your choice of flavours and fillings, you will end up with a smooth, sweet and oh-so-creamy ice cream without ice crystals. No stirring every few hours - and definitely no ice cream maker required. This is the easiest ice cream you will ever make.

What is Baileys?

Baileys is an Irish cream liqueur made with cocoa, cream and Irish whiskey. It has a rich chocolatey flavour with a sweet, vanilla kick.

Can I use different flavours of Baileys?

Yes! One of the (many!) things I love about making your own ice cream is how versatile it is - and this Baileys Ice Cream is no exception. As Baileys aficionados will know, there are lots of different flavours such as Salted Caramel, Orange Truffle and Espresso Crème - alongside limited edition options like Chocolat Luxe. Why not enjoy getting creative and experimenting with your favourites?

What can I serve with this Baileys Ice Cream?

This Baileys Ice Cream is so delicious that you can just scoop into bowls and dive in. If you want to jazz it up a bit, you could grate over some chocolate curls using a vegetable peeler or drizzle with melted chocolate or chocolate sauce. I sometimes add some chopped nuts for extra flavour and texture - almonds and hazelnuts work well (always toast them first to really bring out the flavour). If you are feeling really fancy, you could even make a praline.

You could also use this Baileys Ice Cream as part of other desserts - it is delicious with Christmas pudding instead of brandy butter and utterly divine in an affogato. You could also make a festive Baileys Ice Cream Sundae by layering up with your favourite Christmas chocolates and sauces.

What other alcohol/liqueurs can I use in Baileys Ice Cream?

You can still enjoy making a super simple homemade ice cream - even if you aren’t a fan of Baileys. There are plenty of alcohol-free options if you are making for children (I love adding a couple of drops of vanilla extract and swirling through some fruit purée), but if you want to keep the boozy kick, Kahlúa adds a delicious coffee flavour. If you like nutty flavours, Frangelico (hazelnut-flavoured liqueur) and Amaretto (almond-flavour liqueur) are a must-try.

Other recipes you might enjoy:

If you liked the sound of this Baileys Ice Cream and are looking for more Christmas dessert inspiration, I have so many other recipes for you to try. My Baileys Tiramisu is a must-try for any Baileys fans - imagine everything you love about tiramisu, infused with the delicious vanilla-chocolate notes of Baileys… Yum! Although don’t miss my Mincemeat Frangipane Tart - possibly the most festive tart you could ever make! Alternatively, why not make something you could serve this Baileys Ice Cream with? My Melt-in-the-Middle Chocolate Puddings or rich and indulgent Self Saucing Chocolate Pudding would be utterly irresistible served warm with a scoop of just-melting Baileys Ice Cream on the side. It would also be particularly delicious with my Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie (one of my favourite recipes to make on a cold and chilly autumn/winter day).

Made this recipe and loved it?

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