This Baileys Brownie Cheesecake is made with a dense, chewy chocolate brownie on the bottom topped with creamy Baileys cheesecake and finished off with Baileys chocolate ganache and whipped cream! It’s all your Baileys dreams come true in one fantastic cheesecake!
By now you know that I have a serious love of Baileys and baking it into things. The number of recipes I have using Baileys is a little insane. There’s even some Baileys in my cookbook. I just love love the smooth and creamy texture and flavor of it. There’s always some stocked in our cupboard.
Well I have a layered cake, brownies, a poke cake, a mousse cake – and even mini cheesecakes – but no full sized cheesecake with Baileys. So I decided to fix that. And since I love giving cheesecakes a brownie bottom (like I did here and here), I did that with this cheesecake too. So many delicious layers!
To get started you’ll want to make the brownie. Bake it in the same springform pan that you’ll bake the whole cheesecake in so that it’s the right size. Not all 9 inch pans are created equal. Once it’s baked, you’ll add the cheesecake filling on top – which by the way is full of half a cup of Baileys – and bake it all again.
One of the questions I’m asked a lot is whether or not the brownie gets dry and the question is without a doubt a “no”. It doesn’t get dry AT ALL! The cheesecake filling insulates it and it stays super moist, dense and delicious!
Now I like to try everything I can to ensure that the edges of this cheesecake don’t stick to the pan. To do that, I wash the pan after the brownie has been baked and before adding the cheesecake filling. Then I use baking spray to re-grease the sides. Then once the whole cheesecake has been baked and gone through the slow cooling process – before putting it in the fridge – I kind of tilt the pan around a little from side to side to let the cheesecake loosen from the sides of the pan a bit. It really helps!
And just a side note – if you want to bake the brownie ahead of time and then finish the cheesecake later or the next day, you can totally do that. I love breaking up the steps if I can and doing it over a couple days.
Once the brownie and cheesecake layers are baked and cooled, it’s time for the ganache topping! It’s also made with Baileys because duh! More Baileys! And then the whipped cream – more Baileys! This cheesecake is full of Baileys flavor and plenty of chocolate for one of my very favorite combinations. It’s smooth, creamy, delicious and will surely be a new hit for you just as it was for us!
Baileys Brownie Cheesecake
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12-14 Slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Baileys Brownie Cheesecake is made with a dense, chewy chocolate brownie on the bottom topped with creamy Baileys cheesecake and finished off with Baileys chocolate ganache and whipped cream!
Ingredients
BROWNIE BOTTOM
- 10 tbsp (140g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (207g) sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup (98g) all purpose flour
- 6 tbsp (43g) natural unsweetened cocoa
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
CHEESECAKE FILLING
- 24 ounces (678g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup (207g) sugar
- 3 tbsp (24g) all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (173g) sour cream, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (120ml) Baileys Irish Cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
CHOCOLATE GANACHE
- 8 oz (227g) semi sweet chocolate chips
- 5 tbsp (75ml) Baileys Irish Cream
- 5 tbsp (75ml) heavy whipping cream
WHIPPED CREAM
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 2 tbsp (30ml) Baileys
- 6 tbsp (43g) powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Line a 9-inch (23cm) springform pan with parchment paper in the bottom and grease the sides.
2. Combine the butter, sugar and vanilla extract in a medium sized bowl.
3. Add the eggs and mix until well combined.
4. In another medium sized bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix until well combined.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
TO MAKE THE CHEESECAKE FILLING:
8. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and flour on low speed until well completely combined and smooth. Be sure to use low speed to reduce the amount of air added to the batter, which can cause cracks. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
9. Add the sour cream and mix on low speed until well combined.
10. Add Baileys and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture and mix on low speed until well combined.
11. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing slowly to combine after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is well combined.
12. When the brownie is done baking, reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (148°C). Remove the brownie from the oven and pour the cheesecake batter evenly over the brownie.
13. Wrap the outside of the pan with aluminum foil, then place the springform pan inside another larger pan. (See my tutorial for preventing springform pans from leaking. I also like to use a slow cooker liner.) Fill the outside pan with enough warm water to go about halfway up the sides of the springform pan. The water should not go above the top edge of the aluminum foil on the springform pan.
14. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes. The center should be set, but still jiggly.
15. Turn off the oven and leave the door closed for 30 minutes. The cheesecake will continue to cook, but slowly begin to cool as well.
16. Crack the door of the oven for 30 minutes to allow the cheesecake to continue to cool slowly. This process helps prevent cracking.
17. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and water bath wrapping and refrigerate until firm, 5-6 hours or overnight. Once completely cool and firm, remove from the springform pan.
TO FINISH OFF THE CHEESECAKE:
18. To make the ganache, place the chocolate chips in a small heat proof bowl.
19. Combine the heavy whipping cream and Baileys in a glass measuring cup heat just until it begins to boil.
20. Pour the hot liquid over the chocolate chips and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
21. Pour the chocolate ganache onto the top of the cheesecake and spread evenly.
22. To make the whipped cream, add the heavy whipping cream, Baileys and powdered sugar to a large mixer bowl. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
24. Pipe the whipped cream onto the top of the cheesecake. I used Ateco tip 844.
25. Sprinkle the top of the cheesecake with cocoa powder and/or sprinkles, if desired.
26. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Cheesecake is best for 3-5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 559
- Sugar: 47.7 g
- Sodium: 268.8 mg
- Fat: 31.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 59.5 g
- Protein: 10.4 g
- Cholesterol: 140.9 mg
Keywords: baileys dessert recipe, cheesecake recipe, how to make a cheesecake
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Enjoy!
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I made this to take to work for a co-worker’s birthday. It was perfect. (I hate to admit, I used a boxed brownie mix but it was still great.) Co-worker was overhead saying, “This might be Joe’s best cheesecake yet.” For anyone thinking about using a cheaper brand of Irish Cream … don’t do it. Use Bailey’s. The cheaper ones have a thinner consistency and the taste just isn’t the same. It’s worth the few extra $$$ to buy the real thing.
★★★★★
Wonderful! So glad it was a hit!
Hi I Have made this before and it was so yummy i am looking at making again but as cupcakes instead can you let me know cooking times please:)
I haven’t ever made as cupcakes, so I’m not exactly sure.
I made this cheesecake once before and it is DIVINE!! I’m looking to make it again, but am wonder if I can I make the brownie crust the night before.
Whoops, meant to include a 5 star rating too
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed it! And yes, you can definitely make the brownie the night before.
Hi I just have a question. So you bake the brownie for 20-25 minutes till it is done and the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs and then you said to add the cheesecake batter on top of the baked brownie and bake it for a furthur 1 hour 15 mins. Just checking, will the brownie base not turn hard as it’s been in the oven for initially 25 mins and now an additional 1 hour 15 mins?
No, the brownie doesn’t get hard or over baked. With all that moisture sitting on top of it and actually gets softer.
Now I have a question, what kind of sprinkles did you use and where can I buy them ?
Thank You
★★★★★
I bought the gold star sprinkles here.
Hi, I’m so happy & found your site about a year ago, I’ve learned so much! Especially when it comes to cheesecakes.
About a week ago I went to get the springform ready for a water bath & I don’t know why but I grabbed a 10″ silicon cake pan & set the springform pan in it. IT WORKED !!!
No more worrying about leaks.
I’m glad that worked well!
So Susie, you didn’t use the water bath at all but just set your springform pan in the 10 inch Silicone pan?
Hello,
This sounds amazing, but it will only be my husband and myself eating it. Do you have the ingredient amounts, and any changes in technique for a 6 inch cheesecake?
Thank you, and Merry Christmas!
Diane Anthony
I have a guide for reducing cheesecake sizes if you’d like to look at it. It doesn’t talk about ones with a brownie crust but hopefully the math will still work. https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/guide-to-adjusting-cheesecake-sizes/
This looks delicious!
Can I substitute the Sour cream with yogurt? As we don’t get it easily here.
★★★★★