These Bailey’s Irish Cream Cookies are soft, chewy, and infused with the rich, creamy flavor of Bailey’s Irish Cream! With a hint of chocolate and a touch of Irish whiskey flavor, these cookies are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, holidays, or any time you want a decadent, boozy treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft & Chewy – Perfectly tender cookies with a rich, buttery texture.
- Boozy & Fun – Infused with Bailey’s Irish Cream for a delicious twist.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and minimal prep time.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for St. Patrick’s Day, parties, or gifting.
- Customizable – Add chocolate chips, drizzle with glaze, or sandwich with frosting!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Cookies:
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Bailey’s Irish Cream
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cocoa powder (for a chocolatey twist, optional)
- Chocolate chips (optional)
Optional Bailey’s Glaze:
- Powdered sugar
- Bailey’s Irish Cream
- Vanilla extract
Optional Toppings:
- White or dark chocolate drizzle
- Sea salt sprinkle
- Chopped nuts
Directions

Make the Cookie Dough:
- Preheat Oven – Set to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter & Sugars – In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients – Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and Bailey’s Irish Cream.
- Combine Dry Ingredients – In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder (if using).
- Mix Wet & Dry – Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until combined.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips – If using, stir in chocolate chips.
Shape & Bake the Cookies:
- Scoop Dough – Roll dough into small balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake – Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Cool Slightly – Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Make the Bailey’s Glaze (Optional):
- Mix Glaze Ingredients – Whisk together powdered sugar, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle Over Cookies – Once cookies have cooled, drizzle with the glaze.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 18-24 cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Double Chocolate Bailey’s Cookies – Add extra cocoa powder for an intense chocolate flavor.
- Espresso Bailey’s Cookies – Mix in 1 tsp of espresso powder for a mocha twist.
- Salted Caramel Bailey’s Cookies – Drizzle with caramel and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Gluten-Free Option – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Extra Boozy Version – Brush warm cookies with Bailey’s for even more flavor!
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for up to a week.
- Freezing: Freeze cookie dough balls or baked cookies for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Microwave for 10 seconds for a warm, gooey cookie.
FAQs
Can I use another Irish cream liqueur?
Yes! Any brand of Irish cream will work, but Bailey’s is the classic choice.
How do I make these cookies softer?
Use more brown sugar than granulated sugar and don’t overbake.
Can I make these cookies without alcohol?
Yes! Replace Bailey’s with heavy cream and a dash of vanilla extract.
Can I add nuts?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans or almonds add a nice crunch.
Do I have to use cocoa powder?
No, it’s optional! Cocoa powder adds a chocolatey flavor, but the cookies taste amazing without it.
Can I make these as cookie bars?
Yes! Press dough into a greased 8×8-inch pan and bake for 18-20 minutes.
Can I use white chocolate instead of dark chocolate?
Yes! White chocolate chips pair beautifully with Bailey’s.
How do I keep my cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking for thicker cookies.
Can I use Bailey’s Irish Cream Coffee Creamer instead?
Yes, but it won’t have the same boozy flavor.
What pairs well with these cookies?
Enjoy with coffee, hot chocolate, or a Bailey’s-spiked latte!
Conclusion
These Bailey’s Irish Cream Cookies are soft, rich, and filled with delicious Irish cream flavor! Whether you enjoy them as-is, drizzle them with a boozy glaze, or pair them with a cup of coffee, they’re the perfect treat for any occasion. Try them today and enjoy a sweet taste of Ireland!
PrintBailey’s Irish Cream Cookies
These Bailey’s Irish Cream Cookies are soft, buttery, and infused with Bailey’s, giving them a delicious Irish twist. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, holiday baking, or any time you want a little Irish flair in your dessert!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Irish
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons Bailey’s Irish Cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional, enhances flavor)
- 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
Instructions
-
Preheat & Prep:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Cream Butter & Sugars:
- In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
-
Add Wet Ingredients:
- Mix in egg, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.
-
Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
-
Fold in Chocolate Chips:
- Stir in chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
-
Scoop & Bake:
- Drop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are golden brown but centers are slightly soft.
-
Cool & Serve:
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Enjoy warm or store for later!
Notes
- Want an extra Bailey’s kick? Add 1 teaspoon of Bailey’s to a chocolate drizzle or frosting for extra flavor.
- Prefer a crunchier texture? Bake for an additional 2 minutes.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.