I know very little about Irish cooking. As far as I can tell, I don’t have a drop of Irish blood in me. I’ve never been to Ireland. I have been to a few Irish pubs and eateries, and while I do love me a good boxty (my love for potatoes is no secret), my most memorable Irish restaurant experience was an unfortunate incident in which I eagerly dug into a scoop of Guinness ice cream, thinking it was chocolate or mocha, and…sadface. This is probably not the best time of year to admit it, but I’m not a big fan of Guinness (or stouts in general).
I am, however, quite fond of Baileys Irish cream! And so, after my St. Patrick’s day no-show last year, I once again turned to Baileys this year. These chocolate Irish cream truffles are based on the ubiquitous Oreo and cream cheese truffle recipes you may have seen floating around on the web, but instead of using cream cheese, I melted some chocolate and whisked Baileys into it.
Since truffle filling is much easier to work with when it’s cold, I popped the mixture of cookies, melted chocolate, and Baileys into the fridge. I shouldn’t have been surprised when it came out twenty minutes later as a hardened, crumbly mass (after all, if you melt chocolate chips, they will eventually revert into a solid state…duh), but I was still a bit put off. Luckily, it was nothing that the mixer and another swig of Baileys couldn’t fix, and the end result was every bit as scrumptious as I’d hoped!
These chocolate Irish cream truffles are little bites of velvety, chocolatey bliss. The semi-sweet chocolate chips and the smooth, mellow flavor of Baileys balance out the sweetness of the cookies, making it difficult to stop after just one. In fact, these truffles are so dangerously delicious that I asked our neighbors to take some of them off our hands – unsurprisingly, they obliged! Thanks to the chocolate coating, truffles like these stay fresh for quite a while in the fridge, so the choice is yours: you can share them with friends, family, or colleagues, or keep them at home to savor for weeks!
Do you have any plans for St. Patrick’s Day? What is your favorite Irish dish (or drink)?
- 36 chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreos or similar)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine
- 6-8 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream liqueur, divided
- 2 cups semi-sweet OR white chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (optional)
- Melt the chocolate chips and butter in a double boiler. You can also do this in the microwave, but be careful not to burn the chocolate! Add 1/4 cup Baileys and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
- In a food processor, pulse the chocolate sandwich cookies into crumbs. Transfer the crumbs into the bowl of a mixer. Add the melted chocolate mixture and mix until combined. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes, or until cool to the touch. The mixture will be somewhat hard and crumbly at this stage.
- Add 2 more tablespoons of Baileys to the mixture and mix until combined. Add up to 2 more tablespoons if necessary – the goal is to add enough liquid so that the filling takes on the consistency of thick cookie dough.
- Roll the filling into balls (about 1 inch in diameter), wetting your hands slightly to prevent the filling from sticking. Place the balls on a baking sheet and freeze until hard to the touch, about 20-30 minutes.
- While the truffle filling balls are in the freezer, melt remaining 2 cups chocolate chips (mixed with 1 teaspoon oil). I recommend doing this not in the microwave, but by simmering water in a saucepan and placing a heat-proof glass bowl on top. This way, the chocolate will be heated continuously and stay melted as you coat the truffles; if the chocolate is removed from the heat, it will gradually cool and make things much messier and more difficult.
- To coat the truffles, drop each ball individually into the melted chocolate and spoon chocolate over the top (don’t swirl the truffle around – this may cause bits of filling to break off into the chocolate!). Pick up with a fork and gently tap your fingers against the hand holding the fork to shake off excess chocolate. Use a toothpick or cake-tester to slide the truffle onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Top with sprinkles (if desired).
- Once all the truffles are coated, refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden. Serve at room temperature.
- I've also made these truffles with mint chocolate sandwich cookies. The flavor of the mint somewhat overpowered that of the Irish cream, but regardless, the truffles were very tasty! I haven't had a chance to try the recipe using mint chocolate Baileys, but I imagine the results would be delicious as well.
- I typically keep truffles in airtight containers in the fridge. I don't see any reason why these couldn't be stored at room temperature (and I do prefer to serve them that way), but I'm a creature of habit.
These look incredible! I can imagine the flavor – a lovely combo. You don’t have to have been to Ireland to love these!
Thanks! Nope, no need for a passport to enjoy these truffles…although I certainly wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to travel 😉
Wow, these look and sound heavenly! I am also a fan of Baileys and Oreos. Putting them together sounds so very tempting!!!!
Ooh, you would love these, then! I wish I could share some with you 🙂
These look awesome! I love adding alcohol to desserts…perfect for any holiday or special occasion.
Thanks, Rahul! I agree – adding alcohol to desserts is a fun way to make them feel super festive and celebratory!
Ohmygod. I can’t believe how incredible these look. The staging and photography is just as delicious as the recipe!
Thank you so much for mentioning the photography/staging…I had a heck of a time with it, so I’m glad you like it 🙂
Oh my goodness. These look droolworthy!
Thanks, Courtney! Droolworthy indeed 🙂
these look amazing! thanks for the yummy recipe 😀
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I’m glad these caught your eye! Thanks for stopping by, Tianna!
Definitely pinning this one!
Awesome! I hope you get a chance to try them sometime 🙂
Another swig or two of Bailey’s fixes all sorts of problems, Mara! Haha. Seriously though, these truffles look incredible. And I think everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! If you walk around all day with a tray of these truffles, then I’m pretty sure no one will question your Irish roots. 🙂
Haha, very true! Maybe Baileys should consider making that their motto. Thanks, David!
I freaking love truffles like this. These look particularly excellent, and perfect for St Patrick’s day!
Thanks so much! I’d happily eat these every day, but I’ll use St. Patrick’s Day as an excuse to have a few extra 😉
You are making me wish I lived next door to you! I would gladly help you eat extra truffles!
Well, if you lived next door to me, you’d also have to listen to Phoebe bark at every mail, delivery, and maintenance person who comes within a 25 foot radius of the building…so it’s a toss-up. I do wish there were a food download option!
Yum!! I’m making some of these this weekend too. This recipe looks great, Mara. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! xx Haley
Ooh, that’s awesome – I’m looking forward to seeing your version! Thanks for stopping by and happy St. Patrick’s Day to you as well!
I love truffles, and Irish Cream! I usually mix together Irish Cream creamer and some sort of chocolate creamer in my coffee, so I know that this is a winning pair! Yum! Thanks for linking up with us at The Wednesday Showcase!
Mmm…I’m not even a big coffee drinker, but that sure sounds like a tasty cup of coffee! As always, thanks for hosting such a fun link party 🙂
I’m not too sure I would be able to stop myself at just one or two…I’m a big fan of Bailey’s too. 🙂
Haha, no worries…I can’t seem to stop after one or two, either! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
This recipe looks so delicious!
Thanks, Anita!
I absolutely love these truffles since they contain 3 of my favourites: chocolate, baileys and the colour green. Pinning, tweeting, stumbling…. they are divine
Thanks so much for helping spread the word! I’m glad these caught your eye 🙂
These Irish cream truffles look soooo yummy, and so festive too! I’d probably eat the whole batch in one go!
It makes a pretty big batch, so that would be quite a feat 😉 It’s definitely hard to stop after just a couple, though. Thanks for stopping by!
This sounds awesome! I was going to bring Irish soda bread for a party tomorrow, but I think my girlfriends would appreciate these truffles more 😀
Thanks, Angie! Bread…truffles…there’s definitely place for any and all carbs at a party, as far as I’m concerned!
These are pretty looking truffles. I am sure these would not last that long at FF table. 😀 Thanks for bringing these, Mara. 🙂 Enjoy the party. x
Thanks! You’re probably right that they wouldn’t last long…they’re just so conveniently bite-sized!
Thank you for sharing these delicious truffles at FF this week. They look so beautiful with the sprinkles on top!
Thanks! I bought the sprinkles just for this recipe, so I’m glad you like them 🙂
So gorgeous Mara! They are ready for a St. Patricks party.
Thanks, Julie! I’m ready for a St. Patrick’s Day party, too! Except that I just went to an Irish pub today and my ears are still ringing from the volume of the live band, haha.
How fun!
No one says “no” to truffles! These look delicious! Happy FF!
I completely agree – “no” and “truffles” don’t even belong in the same sentence! Thanks, Suchitra!
These look so decadent!!!!
Very much so! Thanks!
Well, these are simply gorgeous! I don’t think I have much, if any, Irish heritage, but I love making festive treats! I’ll have to try and fit these in 🙂
Nope, you definitely don’t need to be Irish to enjoy these truffles! I hope you get a chance to try them 🙂
Oh my! I love Baileys and mixed with chocolate and oreos would be so yummy. These truffles are so pretty, too.
Thanks, Natalie! I’m glad these caught your eye.
These look fabulous!!! I can devour that entire plate! I’m having a truffle making birthday party next month and I think these will be on the menu 🙂
Ooh, that sounds like a fun party! Let me know what you think if you try these 🙂
Looks like the perfect St Patrick’s Day treat for mommy! Ha ha, such great flavors. Thanks for sharing at the Wednesday Showcase. Pinned!
Oh, definitely! Thanks for pinning – I hope you get a chance to try them!
These look wonderful, perfect treat for St. Patty’s Day, Pinned 🙂
Thanks, Angela! I hope you get a chance to try these 🙂
I love chocolate and this is a great recipe to try out! Thank you for sharing and linking up with us over at the Welcome Home Wednesdays Link Party!
Chocolate truly is one of life’s little pleasures. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, these look and sound heavenly! I am also a fan of Baileys and Oreos. Putting them together sounds so very tempting!!!!
These are incredibly tempting – I hope you get a chance to try them! Thanks for stopping by.
I stare in amazement on this little goodies! Look so yummy 🙂
I am also fond of Bailay`s but same about Guinness and Kilkenny, and Irish coffee is my beloved drink as well !!!
Thanks so much! I’m glad these caught your eye 🙂