Home Bakers, You'll Thank Us For These Baileys-Infused Muffin-Making Tips
It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, amidst the lockdown and ample of free time, that many of us turned to our kitchen ovens and learnt how to utilise all of their many buttons to whisk delicious baked goodies at an alarming rate! And long after the terror of the pandemic has subsided, what has been left behind is a baking hobby too hard to resist. As we have mastered the art of putting flour, eggs, sugar and butter together to make a perfect cake, so too we have learnt how to experiment with different ingredients to hone our baking techniques and get creative in the kitchen.
A very indulgent ingredient that packs lots of decadence into your baked goodies is the luxurious Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur. Add it to a classic cupcake or muffin recipe and what you have is a warm tray full of a dessert that packs quite a buzz. You can either serve these indulgent muffins for dessert or make mini muffins that act as exceedingly cute sweet treats during your cocktail party.
Baileys in muffins elevates the density of the batter and adds an extraordinary element of chocolatey and bitter flavour which really makes your simple muffins stand out for their luxe and silky quality. Read on below for some muffin variations that you can infuse with the Irish liqueur to craft really indulgent sweet bites:
Red Velvet And Baileys Muffins
A perfect treat for Valentine’s Day, red velvet cupcakes stand out for their seductive hue, buttery notes and a cream cheese frosting. This is a superbly elegant yet decadent dessert that is really easy to prepare. Along with vanilla and cream, you can pour some Irish liqueur while whisking the batter for red velvet muffins to introduce a chocolatey but smooth texture that elevates the overall profile of this delicious dessert.
Irish Espresso Muffins
If you are fond of muffins made from flour, vanilla and butter coupled with a generous helping of freshly brewed espresso, you will surely enjoy adding another oomph to your coffee-infused dish by making it Irish! Baking Irish espresso muffins means you add a dollop of Baileys creamy liqueur in the original recipe to give the baked goods a silky texture and a wonderful aroma that oozes out when coffee and whisky come together in a classic pairing.
Baileys Salted Caramel Cupcakes
Another way to incorporate this indulgent cream liqueur made from quality Irish whisky into your baking game is to make salted caramel cupcakes with the inclusion of Baileys. Salted caramel is already an interesting ingredient which gives a complexity to the muffins because the sweet and buttery flavours of the cupcakes and the salty and slightly burnt notes of the caramel frosting come together in a harmonious blend. With the addition of Baileys, the muffins acquire a whole new flavour component along with a boozy kick that makes them simply decadent.
Chocolate And Irish Cream Muffins
If you like chocolate cupcakes, follow the classic recipe, add cut up dark chocolate along with cocoa powder into the batter and set the muffins to bake until they are fluffy and perfectly cooked. And when you make the frosting, pour lots of Baileys along with melted chocolate, sugar and butter into your whisking bowl so you arrive at a mixture that is decadent, sultry and full of the bitter yet rich notes of the luxe liqueur.
Baileys Buttercream Chocolate Cupcakes
Follow the traditional recipe to make buttercream frosting that would adorn your chocolate cupcakes but make it a tad bit boozy by pouring Baileys into your mixing bowl. The buttercream frosting has a tendency to melt so make sure you consume your cupcakes fresh and warm. You can also turn this into a fun DIY activity at the next cocktail evening you host at home for your closest friends.
Vanilla And Baileys Fairy Cupcakes
These are tiny muffins or small, cute cupcakes that you can prepare with a simple cupcake batter containing lots of Irish liqueur. Baileys will introduce an intensity into the otherwise mild sweet treats and you will be able to enjoy a welcoming buzz at tea time as you gorge on these mini muffins or fairy cupcakes scented with vanilla.
