This Bailey’s Irish Cream Chocolate Cake is allllll kinds of decadent, y’all.
So can we talk about TV shows and how sometimes, there comes a time in a person’s life when they outgrow a TV show?
That is me right now.
I used to love watching Pretty Little Liars and The Walking Dead. Like, wouldn’t miss an episode for the world and was so excited to watch them from my DVR. But now? I can’t even think about watching an episode without wanting to roll my eyes and let out a dramatic sigh.
Like okay, PLL. When are they going to give up this A business? A is dead. Done. Finito. Unless this is a supernatural world, A cannot come back and torment these (now adult) women who for whatever reason, never thought to report any of this nonsense to their parents or the cops. And now there’s a new A? Why can’t the girls just get new numbers and go back to their new lives? Why are they still friends with that trashbag, Ali? I just can’t deal with the terrible acting and obnoxious plot anymore.
And then there’s The Walking Dead. How many times do we have to overtake a new community, deal with a little drama, and somehow come out unscathed? I get that walkers are unpredictable, but how come we can’t predict walkers’ whereabouts and shenanigans ahead of time or even as they’re happening? And HOW IN THE WORLD IS CARL STILL ALIVE. He’s like the worst actor there is. Actually, he could be dead for all I know – I stopped watching last season because I just couldn’t deal with it any more. If there’s an apocalypse, I’m taking the easy way out so I can bypass all the craziness of rolling with Rick’s entourage.
ANYWAY. Are there any shows you’re loving that I can start watching in place of these? Right now I’m really digging Better Call Saul, which is a prequel to Breaking Bad – an amazing show. And per usual, I’m still a fangirl of Criminal Minds. I also just started watching 11/22/63 which is really intriguing. If you have any suggestions, leave ’em below!
In the meantime, let’s talk cake. This is the fudgiest cake there ever was and it has a delectable Irish cream filling that’s outta this world. I topped the whole thing with chocolate ganache – rich, sinful and indulgent, it adds just the right amount of sweetness and decadence to this anything-but-ordinary chocolate cake.
Plus, it’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day… or Wednesday March 2nd.
Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1¼ cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup oil
- 4 eggs
- 1 small box instant chocolate pudding mix just the dry mix
- FOR BAILEY'S BUTTERCREAM:
- 1/2 cup butter softened to room temperature
- 1/3 cup Bailey's or any other Irish cream liqueur
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- FOR GANACHE:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- Chocolate sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Liberally grease two 9" cake pans with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, buttermilk, oil, eggs and dry pudding mix with an electric mixer for 2 minutes or until blended. Pour the mixture evenly among the cake pans. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes or until the cake springs back lightly when touched and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- To make the buttercream: In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter, Bailey's and vanilla until creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually add the powdered sugar, about one cup at a time, until frosting is light and fluffy. You may not use all of the powdered sugar.
- To assemble the cake, place one cake layer top-side down onto a plate. Spread with 3/4th of the Bailey's buttercream, spreading out to the edges. Top with the second cake layer, top side down and even out the filling to compensate for the gap between layers.
- In a medium bowl, microwave the chocolate chips and heavy cream on HIGH heat for about 45 seconds. Stir until completely smooth and pour the mixture over the top of the cake, spreading out to the edges so it drips over. Let set for about 5 minutes.
- Pipe the remaining Bailey's buttercream around the perimeter of the cake and sprinkle on the chocolate sprinkles, if desired. Store cake covered at room temperature or in the fridge.
I love the fudgy chocolate cake layers mixed with that creamy Bailey’s buttercream, topped with the sinfully rich chocolate ganache. This cake is to-die for!
Have a super sweet day!
xo, Hayley
Christine says
Yummy !! It looks so delicious. I am fond of such chocolates and specially baileys irish cream. Thanks for sharing this post 🙂
thedomesticrebel says
So glad you love it, Christine! xo!
Katie says
This recipe seems surpsingly uncomplicated given how delicious it looks!! I’m going to have to give this one a try. I may have to sneak some Jameson into that ganache though ?
If you’re looking for shows, I’d recommend Homeland. I typically gravitate towards teen dramas whose demographics I am reaching the upper end of as a college senior, but Homeland has just as much drama and none of the shame of watching a show geared towards 14 year olds.
thedomesticrebel says
Katie, I love your tip about adding Jameson. Great choice! And thanks for the TV rec – my parents love Homeland so maybe I’ll give it a go! I heart Mandy Patinkin.
Pam says
On “outgrowing” TV series – YES! I am with you. Loved the first couple Pretty Little Liars books and was excited about the show. Then lost interest for similar reasons – bad acting, unbelievable plots, etc.
We are Netflix only so I tend to be behind whatever is current. I have loved Switched at Birth (seriously one of my all time favorites), Parenthood (excellent acting, characters and story lines, left me emotionally wrecked when it ended)), Gilmore Girls (yes, I did not actually watch it until 2015), and Life Unexpected. My daughters and their friends are crazy about Grey’s Anatomy. On my list right now are: Person of Interest, Midsomer Murders, and Call the Midwife.
Does Breaking Bad get better after the pilot? My oncologist recommended it. I got part way through the pilot and then couldn’t get over that the guy had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. That kind of tainted it for me.
The cake looks divine! Can’t wait to make it for St. Patty’s day!
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Pam! Thanks for all the suggestions – I’ll definitely check some of those out. I need to watch Gilmore Girls; I’ve heard such good things, and since they’re bringing it back, all the better! And YES, I promise Breaking Bad gets better. The first few episodes are admittedly very slow and kind of dull, but it DEFINITELY picks up. Love it!
Pat says
Well, I believe this cake is one of the most decadent I’ve ever seen! Can’t wait to taste it ~ 🙂 I adore Bailey’s…on the rocks, in coffee, over ice cream…just any which way is fine! You made a beautiful cake with the ganache and the filling around the edges. Can you please come over and do that to my cake? Lol
Thanks so much for sharing!
xo
Pat
thedomesticrebel says
Pat, you’re the sweetest! I would love to ganache-ify your cake! 🙂 Have a great night!
Michele @ Alwayzbakin says
Wowza! THIS cake! This is just the thing one NEEDS for St. Patrick’s Day besides a good ale. I’m going to be thinking about this all night. 😮
thedomesticrebel says
Ha, thanks girl!
kayla says
Can you make this into cupcakes?
thedomesticrebel says
Kayla – absolutely! Just adjust the baking time to about 15-18 minutes, checking with a toothpick to check doneness around the 15 minute mark. Then frost as usual!
Olga cartagena says
What kink of butter…salted or unsalted
thedomesticrebel says
You can use either!
Sandy says
This cake is so delicious! I just made it yesterday for my husband’s birthday and it turned out wonderful. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Definitely a keeper!