Irish Cream Fudge - Bailey's Fudge Recipe with Coffee Flavor (2024)

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This delicious Bailey’s fudge recipe has a surprise addition of coffee for a great flavor. It is creamy and sweet and has a lovely consistency.

This year, make some Irish Cream Fudge as a part of your Christmas traditions!

Who doesn’t love the taste of a glass of Bailey’s Irish cream during the holidays? It is rich and thick and so creamy with that delicious hint of whiskey in the background.

Now imagine that taste in a piece of holiday fudge! BOOM! What a flavor combo!

Making fudge is a favorite of mine pastime during the holidays. I don’t make fudge very often during the year, because I do try to watch my weight, but during November and December I indulge in it.

This recipe for Irish Cream Fudge infused with Bailey’s Irish Cream & cold Coffee is as tasty as can be. It is my favorite sweet treat, so I like to have a lot of fudge recipes on hand.

NOTE: This is not a really easy fudge. In order to get the right consistency, the main fudge mixture must be boiled for five minutes or so to get it to the soft ball stage. But the flavor makes it worth the effort.

More fudge recipes

Are you a fudge lover like I am during the holidays? Try one of these recipes, too:

  • Reeses peanut butter cup fudge
  • White Chocolate Mosaic fudge
  • Easy dark chocolate peanut butter fudge

Time to make someBailey’s Irish cream Fudge

To make the Irish Cream Fudge, you will need Bailey’s Irish Cream. I had a bottle on hand that was unopened, but when I undid the top, I discovered to my horror that it had gone off and I could not shake it to make it good again.Irish Cream Fudge - Bailey's Fudge Recipe with Coffee Flavor (2)

Since I had all my ingredients out and it was a Sunday, I decided to make my own Bailey’s Irish Cream.It is just as good as the original and costs a fraction of the price. Irish Cream Fudge - Bailey's Fudge Recipe with Coffee Flavor (3)

To make the fudge you will need: (affiliate links)

    1. 3/4 cup of butter
    2. 3 cups of granulated sugar
    3. 2/3 cup of evaporated milk
    4. 1/3 cup of Bailey’s Irish cream
    5. 2 Tbsp-cold coffee (the liquid from a cup of coffee, not granules)
    6. 1 – 7 oz-jar marshmallow cream
    7. 1 11 oz package of butterscotch morsels
    8. 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Irish Cream Fudge - Bailey's Fudge Recipe with Coffee Flavor (4)To make this Bailey’s fudge recipe, start by placing aluminum foil in the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch pan. It will make it so much easier to get the fudge out later.

Just use the pieces on the top as handles and then peel it off later. Irish Cream Fudge - Bailey's Fudge Recipe with Coffee Flavor (5)Mix together the Bailey’s and cold coffee and place it in a microwave safe bowl and heat for about 20 seconds until it is well mixed. Irish Cream Fudge - Bailey's Fudge Recipe with Coffee Flavor (6)On the stove top, combine the butter, evaporated milk, sugar and marshmallow cream until well mixed and smooth. Irish Cream Fudge - Bailey's Fudge Recipe with Coffee Flavor (7)Slowly stir in the Bailey’s Irish cream mixture and mix well. Continue to cook after it boils for five minutes, stirring the whole time, so that it does not stick.

It will be at the soft ball stage. (drop a bit of the fudge mixture into a glass of water…it will form a small ball.)Irish Cream Fudge - Bailey's Fudge Recipe with Coffee Flavor (8)Stir in the butterscotch chips and vanilla extract. Irish Cream Fudge - Bailey's Fudge Recipe with Coffee Flavor (9)Pour the mixture for the Bailey’s fudge recipe into your prepared pan. I had to hurry as it was starting to harden. I love this stage.

I know that I have cooked it long enough when it starts to harden on the sides of my cooking pan. There is nothing as discouraging as spending time on fudge and not having it set later.

Share this recipe for making Bailey’s fudge on Twitter

If you enjoyed this fudge recipe, be sure to share it with a friend. Here is a tweet to get you started:

The holidays will soon be here and fudge is a part of any dessert table. What is better than plain fudge? Fudge made with Bailey's Irish Cream. It's sweet and creamy and a hit at any holiday gathering. Click To Tweet

Tasting the Bailey’s Fudge Recipe

This Irish cream fudge has the perfect texture. I like a fudge that is not too sticky and this one cuts into beautiful chunks.

The taste is sweet and creamy with a hint of coffee in the background. My husband is a big coffee drinker and really likes this fudge!Irish Cream Fudge - Bailey's Fudge Recipe with Coffee Flavor (10)

Place in the fridge until set. Cut into pieces and enjoy. For more great Bailey’s desserts, try these Baileys Mudslide Truffles, andBailey’s Irish cream brownies. YUM!

Would you like a reminder of this recipe for Bailey’s Irish cream fudge? Just pin this image to one of your Pinterest dessert Boards.Irish Cream Fudge - Bailey's Fudge Recipe with Coffee Flavor (11)

Yield: 30

Bailey's Irish Cream & Coffee Fudge

Irish Cream Fudge - Bailey's Fudge Recipe with Coffee Flavor (12)

Get the taste of Bailey's Irish cream in a piece of holiday fudge, for the ultimate in Christmas sweet treats.

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup of butter
  • 3 cups of granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup of evaporated milk
  • 1/3 cup of Bailey's Irish cream
  • 2 Tbsp cold coffee (the liquid, not granules)
  • 1 - 7 oz-jar marshmallow cream (NOT marshmallows - cream in a jar)
  • 1 11 oz pkg of butterscotch chips
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl combine Bailey's Irish cream and the cold coffee.
  2. Place the mixture in a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 10 seconds. or until melted and dissolved well.
  3. Melt the butter milk, sugar and marshmallow cream in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat.
  4. Slowly stir in the Bailey's coffee mixture; mix well and boil for 5 minutes. (Should be to the soft ball stage)
  5. Remove from heat and stir in butterscotch chips and vanilla extract.
  6. Stir for 3-4 minutes. until the mixture is smooth. Pour into a foil lined 8 x 8" pan.
  7. Chill to set and then cut into pieces.
Irish Cream Fudge - Bailey's Fudge Recipe with Coffee Flavor (2024)

FAQs

Why is my Baileys fudge not setting? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

How much alcohol is in Baileys fudge? ›

Once devoured our beautifully embossed tins are a great keepsake. Baileys (1%)(milk), Flavourings (contains E150B), sea salt (0.4%), salt. Allergen Advice : For Allergens, see ingredients in bold.

Why do you add cream of tartar to fudge? ›

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!

Why is my fantasy fudge not creamy? ›

Sugar Crystals Formed

It's important to beat the fudge ingredients to develop the right texture, but you won't get smooth, creamy fudge if you beat it when it's too hot. Beating fudge when it's still over heat creates sugar crystals, aka the grittiness you feel in the fudge.

What is the secret to perfect fudge? ›

Valuable tips for successful fudge
  • Don't stir during cooking. Fudge can be cooked on the stove or in the microwave. ...
  • Avoid crystallization. During cooking, sugar crystals can stick to the sides of the pan. ...
  • Let cool before beating. After being cooked, the sugar must crystallize again to create fudge. ...
  • Beat the mixture.

What to do if your fudge won't set? ›

The most common culprit behind unset fudge is inaccurate temperature control. If the sugar mixture hasn't reached the correct temperature, your fudge won't set. Ensure you use a reliable candy thermometer and follow temperature guidelines meticulously to achieve the desired consistency.

Is Baileys Irish Cream very alcoholic? ›

It has a declared alcohol content of 17% by volume.

What is the highest alcohol content in Baileys? ›

Baileys is 17% abv - which makes it stronger than even quite strong wines. Most seasoned drinkers would be noticeably drunk after a 750ml full bottle of wine - so not only is Baileys stronger than wine, a 1 litre bottle is bigger than a typical wine bottle.

Can Baileys chocolate get you drunk? ›

You'll need to consume a lot of alcoholic chocolates to actually become inebriated. Most people would need to consume more than 700 grams of chocolate to exceed the legal blood alcohol limit of . 08%. To get quite drunk, most would need to eat close to two kilograms (roughly 1.5 pounds), according to Good Food.

Why do you use a wooden spoon to make fudge? ›

In his book On Food and Cooking, food scientist Harold McGee writes, “A metal spoon can induce crystallization by conducting heat away from local areas of the syrup, cooling them and so leaving them supersaturated [causing crystallization].” He recommends using a wooden spoon, which doesn't conduct heat.

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

What to do with failed fudge? ›

My advice to you is to just pour it in a jar, call it something else delicious, and pretend you meant for it to be that way. The nice thing about my “failed” fudge is that it tastes absolutely delicious! A spoonful of the delectable treat will make you want for more.

What happens if you don't boil fudge long enough? ›

Undercooked. This fudge was cooked until the temperature reached only108 °C (226 °F). At this temperature, the sugar is not concentrated enough... there is too much leftover water in the syrup and the resulting fudge is soft.

Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›

Why won't my 3 ingredient fudge set? This often happens when the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture isn't hot enough to start.

How to tell if fudge is ready without a thermometer? ›

Using a clean spoon, carefully take a little of the syrup and drop it into the bowl of cold water. Leave to cool for a moment then pick up the ball of syrup. If it's pliable, sticky and can be moulded in your fingers easily, it has reached the soft ball stage and the syrup can be used to make fudge and marzipan.

How do you harden runny fudge? ›

If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream.

Why won't my 3 ingredient condensed milk fudge set? ›

This often happens when the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture isn't hot enough to start. Everything must be completely melted before it is transferred to the pan to cool. Heat in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring well between each to ensure everything is melting evenly.

How do you keep fudge from crystallizing? ›

By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

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