Transform Irish Cream Into Booze-Infused Dessert In Just A Few Simple Steps

Some say that Irish cream is made for people who want to pass off dessert as a drink, to which we say, what's the issue? In fact, this combo of Irish whiskey, heavy cream, and various sweet flavorings is begging to jump out of the cocktail glass and into your favorite sweet treat recipes. One of the easiest, most delectable examples is a no-bake Irish cream chocolate pie.

The irresistible yet somewhat unplaceable flavor of Irish cream usually carries notes of chocolate, vanilla, and coffee, so it's no wonder that it makes chocolate desserts sing. While it's certainly great in cakes and brownies, a no-cook pie is the way to go if you really want to taste the booze. Whiskey is the only alcohol that cooks out of a dish in minutes, so baked desserts mute the liqueur somewhat. A creamy, chilled pie really brings out the complexity of the best Irish cream brands.

Most recipes for this treat make the filling with whipped topping like Cool Whip or stabilized whipped cream, plus milk or heavy cream, vanilla extract, and ½ cup to 1 cup of Irish cream. For the chocolatey element, melted dark chocolate creates the most intense flavor, but when you're in a hurry, a dry chocolate pudding mix makes things extra easy. Thoroughly combine the ingredients, pour into a pre-prepared Oreo pie crust, and chill in the fridge until it's set and sliceable. Add a topping like whipped cream and chocolate curls, and you have a glorious chocolate treat with a boozy kick.

Much like Irish cream drinks, an Irish cream chocolate pie can be customized to your heart's content. Some recipes use cream cheese in the filling, adding a wonderful tangy note and denser texture. To ensure you can mix the filling without getting an arm cramp, soften the cream cheese to room temperature before use. The final result is like a cheesecake, pie, and Irish cream cocktail all in one — what could be more irresistible?

Is an Irish coffee your favorite way to enjoy this liqueur? Try adding a few teaspoons of espresso powder into the pie filling and Oreo crust, then sift a mix of cocoa powder and the powdered coffee on top. You could even add an extra shot of whiskey to the filling. Slightly bitter and aromatic from the Java, this is one grown-up dessert that even Irish cream skeptics will love. Other complementary flavorings for the filling include peppermint extract, ground cinnamon, or a pinch of sea salt.

Finally, if you take pride in making sweet treats from scratch, try adding the liqueur to our classic chocolate meringue pie recipe. You can even use homemade Irish cream to score some extra bragging rights. The pudding filling is cooked on the stove, so to keep the Irish cream flavor nice and bold, try adding it off the heat as the final step before assembling the pie. The meringue topping is a serious show-stopper, adding a marshmallow-like creaminess to balance the custard.