Quick Answer: Best Irish Desserts
The best Irish desserts based on tradition and decadence are Baileys Cheesecake, Bread & Butter Pudding, Irish Apple Cake, Soda Bread, Irish Coffee, Porter Cake, Irish Barmbrack, Irish Shortbread, Shamrock cookies, and others. Read to know more!
This article is a curated list of the best Irish desserts ever along with their DIY recipes.
Irish desserts are generally stereotyped as regular desserts with a splash of liqueur but trust me, they’re a lot more than that.
Made with fresh local produce and traditional recipes, these delicious desserts bring with them the story of Irish people.
If that idea interests you to try the best Irish dessert recipes, continue reading!
Best Irish Desserts: Quick Table
| Recipe | Total Preparation Time |
|---|---|
| Baileys Cheesecake | 7 hrs 20 min |
| Bread & Butter Pudding | NA |
| Irish Apple Cake | 1 hr 5 min |
| Soda Bread | 1 hr |
| Irish Coffee | 10 min |
| Porter Cake | 1 hr 40 min |
| Irish Barmbrack | 5 hr 15 min |
| Irish Shortbread | 1 hr |
| Shamrock Cookies | 1 hr 25 min |
| Irish Oat Flapjacks | 55 min |
| Irish Blueberry Scones | 30 min |
| Apple Crumble | 1 hr |
| Guinness Cake | 1 hr 45 min |
| Irish Potato Candies | 30 min |
| Irish Whiskey and Stout Chocolate Cake | 1 hr 20 min |
| Irish Lemon Pudding | 1 hr |
| Irish Yellowman Candy | 1 hr |
| Baileys Poke Cake | 1 hr 15 min |
| Mudslide Cheesecake | 2 hr 40 min |
| Irish Coffee Cake | 2 hrs 40 min |
| Fudgy Layered Irish Mocha Brownies | 2 hrs |
| Whiskey Truffles | 25 min |
| Pots de Crème | 2 hr 16 min |
| Sticky Toffee Pudding | 2 hrs 20 min |
| Whiskey Soufflé Pie | 1 hr 10 min |
| Irish Pancakes | 1 hr 5 min |
| Guinness Float | 5 min |
| Gur Cake | 1 hr 20 min |
| Rhubarb Tart | 1 hr |
1. Baileys Cheesecake
Preparation Time: 7 hrs 20 min
If you enjoy creamy desserts, do try this splendid cheesecake filled with delicious Baileys Irish Cream. It’s got a dark oreo crumb base and can also be made with Baileys Irish Cream Coffee Creamer.
A thick chocolate ganache topping gives it a beautiful layered appearance, making your mouth water at the sight of it.
DIY recipe for Baileys Cheescake ->
2. Bread & Butter Pudding
Preparation Time:
A staple in most Irish homes, the Bread & Butter Pudding is as traditional as Irish desserts get. It can be made from regular bread, croissants, or soda bread.
A bite into its warm buttery, cinnamon, and egg flavors brings a sense of nostalgia to Irish tastebuds.
DIY recipe for Bread & Butter Pudding ->
3. Irish Apple Cake
Preparation Time: 1 hr 5 min
This authentically Irish cake though simple, is simply breathtaking. Served with some lovely apples and streusel topping, it will surely win your heart.
It is light in texture and its sweetness features the natural flavours of local apples. Irish Apple Cakes hold their shape when served in slices.
DIY recipe for Irish Apple Cake ->
4. Soda Bread
Preparation Time: 1 hr
Every Irish home has its own recipe for soda bread mastered over generations. However, the basic process remains the same for this delicious looking bread.
You can make it into a dessert by spreading some jam or jelly on slices. Another way is to add chocolate chips or blueberries to the batter before baking.
DIY recipe for Soda Bread ->
5. Irish Coffee
Preparation Time: 10 min
Irish Coffee is not only one of the most authentic desserts in our article, but also one of the fastest to make.
Sip on this glorious drink to enjoy the bitterness of good coffee and whiskey with a light and fluffy cream top.
DIY recipe for Irish Coffee ->
6. Porter Cake
Preparation Time: 1 hr 40 min
Porter Cake is made with dried fruits, spices, and Porter beer. It is a classic Irish dessert best enjoyed during the Holidays.
Unlike most dry and overly sweet fruit cakes, this one has the right balance of sweet, spice, and bitter. Have it with tea or a bowl of ice cream.
DIY recipe for Porter Cake ->
Irish Barmbrack
Preparation Time: 5 hr 15 min
Traditionally Barbrack is made in Irish homes during the Holidays. The cake has certain objects insterted in it so that when someone receives a slice, their object symbolises something.
But you can make it without any attempts at soothsaying and simply enjoy the fruity goodness.
DIY recipe for Irish Barmbrack ->
8. Irish Shortbread
Preparation Time: 1 hr
Another traditional Irish dessert, shortbread is a buttery treat enjoyed on St. Patrick’s Day. These cookies can last up to 3 days when kept in an air-tight container.
For an extra Irish touch, you can use a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter for leaf-shaped shortbread cookies. But more on that in the next item.
DIY recipe for Irish Shortbread ->
9. Shamrock Cookies
Preparation Time: 1 hr 25 min
There are numerous ways of making Shamrock Cookies as it depends on how you want to decorate them. You can use sugar icing with green food coloring. Or you can try sprinkles or jimmies.
Add some orange peel to the batter for a tangy aftertaste or simply dip them in chocolate ganache!
DIY recipe for Shamrock Cookies ->
10. Irish Oat Flapjacks
Preparation Time: 55 min
Flapjacks are oatmeal bars that can be had for breakfast, as a snack, or after a heavy work out. The Irish version uses locally sourced oats and dried fruits for extra sweetness. This is a common snack in Ireland and is super easy to make.
DIY recipe for Irish Oat Flapjacks ->
11. Irish Blueberry Scones
Preparation Time: 30 min
Tea time is incomplete without a plate of these authentic Irish scones. A little bit of Kerrygold butter spread on them will take you straight to Ireland no matter where you are.
DIY recipe for Irish Blueberry Scones ->
12. Apple Crumble
Preparation Time: 1 hr
A humble dessert, the Irish Apple Crumble has an unmatchable texture and flavour brought by the sweetness of baked apples and Irish butter. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
DIY recipe for Apple Crumble ->
13. Guinness Cake
Preparation Time: 1 hr 45 min
The striking black colour of this moist cake contrasting with the white foam of a cream cheese frosting resembles a glass of Guinness. Dig in for a perfect balance of sweetness and stout flavour.
DIY recipe for Guinness Cake ->
14. Irish Potato Candies
Preparation Time: 30 min
Don’t misunderstand the name; these delectable candies don’t have potatoes in them. They just look like potatoes and are made of coconut and cream cheese.
DIY recipe for Irish Potato Candies ->
15. Irish Whiskey and Stout Chocolate Cake
Preparation Time: 1 hr 20 min
This layered chocolate cake has a super moist base with a whiskey cream cheese frosting. Rich chocolate glaze acts as a drizzling topping that seems irresistible.
DIY recipe for Irish Whiskey and Stout Chocolate Cake ->
16. Irish Lemon Pudding
Preparation Time: 1 hr
This traditional Irish dessert is typically dense and cakey on the top with a luscious pudding layer below. Irish Lemon Pudding can be served as it is or inside a pastry base to make it a tart.
DIY recipe for Irish Lemon Pudding ->
17. Irish Yellowman Candy
Preparation Time: 1 hr
Especially made during the Auld Lammas Harvest Festival, this honeycomb-like candy is an acquired taste. It’s chunky, sweet, and as authentic as Irish desserts can get.
DIY recipe for Irish Yellowman Candy ->
18. Baileys Poke Cake
Preparation Time: 1 hr 15 min
It’s called a poke cake because after baking, you poke holes into it to fill them with a liquid syrup. This mouthwatering cake uses Baileys Irish Cream for the batter as well as the filling.
DIY recipe for Baileys Poke Cake ->
19. Mudslide Cheesecake
Preparation Time: 2 hr 40 min
Here is a unique variety cheesecake lovers should try. By adding Irish cream and coffee to the mix, the Mudslide Cheesecake creates a heavenly sight with a taste that matches.
DIY recipe for Mudslide Cheesecake ->
20. Irish Coffee Cake
Preparation Time: 2 hrs 40 min
Nothing like a rich Irish Coffee Cake to enjoy after a filling lunch. Sweet and chocelatey, with an aftertaste of high quality coffee, this one is a must-have if you’re a fan of Irish coffee.
DIY recipe for Irish Coffee Cake ->
21. Fudgy Layered Irish Mocha Brownies
Preparation Time: 2 hrs
This dessert adds Irish cream, ganache, and frosting to a general brownie recipe to create a bite of true decadence. The chilled end product appears much like fudge, hence the title.
22. Whiskey Truffles
Preparation Time: 25 min
A brilliant use of Irish whiskey, these truffles are spectacularly delicious. Quick and easy to make, the hint of whiskey in it blends perfectly with the creaminess of chocolate.
DIY recipe for Whiskey Truffles ->
23. Pots de Crème
Preparation Time: 2 hr 16 min
Pots de Crème is traditionally a French dessert that has earned a place in the hearts of Irish people. The name translates to a pot of cream/custard and that’s exactly what you can expect.
DIY recipe for Pots de Crème ->
24. Sticky Toffee Pudding
Preparation Time: 2 hrs 20 min
If the sound of creamy caramel and honeyed dates excites you, this luscious Sticky Toffee Pudding will simply delight you. Serve it with a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream.
DIY recipe for Sticky Toffee Pudding ->
25. Whiskey Soufflé Pie
Preparation Time: 1 hr 10 min
Soft and scrumptious, the Whiskey Souffle Pie captures the authentic spirit of Iceland. This pie tastes best when served warm or at room temperature.
26. Irish Pancakes
Preparation Time: 1 hr 5 min
Thinner than typical pancakes, these taste best when wrapped around a filling. You can wrap yours around fruit, cream, jam, or other preserves.
DIY recipe for Irish Pancakes ->
27. Guinness Float
Preparation Time: 5 min
Quick and easy to make, the Guinness Float is so rich and creamy, you’ll be tempted to make one more. Grab a bottle of Guinness and some vanilla ice cream to make your own.
DIY recipe for Guinness Float ->
28. Gur Cake
Preparation Time: 1 hr 20 min
Also known as Chester squares, Gur Cake is an Irish dessert made with leftovers. Take all the stale bread/muffins/pudding in your kitchen and transform them into these yummy squares.
DIY recipe for Gur Cake ->
29. Rhubarb Tart
Preparation Time: 1 hr
Pefect for summers, this pretty, pink dessert offers a creamy texture, buttery crust, and nutritional value. As rhubarb grows wild in Ireland, this is an excellent use of it.
DIY recipe for Rhubarb Tart ->
What are Irish Desserts?
People often mistake Irish desserts to be regular desserts with a shot of liqueur. But that’s not true at all.
Though most of the desserts mentioned here do contain some amount of alcohol, there’s more to it.
Desserts in Ireland are typically made from locally sourced ingredients.
These include oats, barley, apples, berries, and other Irish staples. Since the country has faced a long history of poverty and struggle, their desserts have few ingredients.
It’s almost as if traditional desser recipes made do with whatever the kitchen had to offer, even if it was just leftovers.
Nevertheless, the amount of love and tradition that goes into each of these recipes makes them to die for!
FAQs
Irish pastries aren’t always desserts. The Irish people make plenty of dishes that have a flaky pastry base filled with meats and potatoes. Usually, these are drizzled with avoury gravy or sauce.
Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional Irish recipe, usually enjoyed worldwide on St. Patrick’s Day. Desserts that complement this dish include bread pudding, Guinness cake, and Shamrock cookies.
Some of the most popular dishes in Irish cuisine include the following.
Soda bread
Boxty
Smoked salmon
Irish stew
Bread pudding
Black and white pudding
Corned beef and cabbage
Boiled bacon and cabbage
The best traditional Irish sweets and desserts are listed below.
Yellowman
Porter cake
Guinness cake
Rhubarb tart
Gur cake
Lemon pudding
Barmbrack
Apple crumble
Here are some Irish sweets that can rarely be found anywhere else.
Roy of the Rovers Chews
Dream Bars
Secret Bars
Wilton Candy Macaroon
Kimberley Mallow Cakes
Opal Fruits
Apple Drops
Black Jacks
Wafer Snack! Bars
Jacob’s Mikado
Bottom Line
I hope you now have several options of tempting Irish desserts to choose from.
Do let us know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for us. We would love to hear from you.
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