Hello March! I'm so excited to be linking up today with some of my favorite bloggers for a good old fashioned St. Patrick's Day recipe swap! The same bloggers from the Christmas gift exchange and the Valentine's Day card swap are participating, but this time we want YOU in on the action too! If you have a favorite St. Patrick's Day recipe you'd like to share, I hope you'll consider linking up with us. You have one week from today to get your recipes up on your blog. Then you'll be paired with another blogger and get to try her favorite recipe. It's a great way to meet some new bloggers, gain exposure for your blog, create Pinterest-worthy recipes and get to eat awesome food, of course! All the details for the linkup are below.
But first, I want to share my favorite St. Patrick's Day recipe with you. I don't think any St. Patty's Day is complete with some Bailey's Irish Cream. Whether you're having it on the rocks, in your coffee or using it to create some fancy dessert, there's no denying that Bailey's is amazing. However, I bet you had no idea that it was insanely easy to make at home. I'm talking only 7 ingredients and less than 5 minutes start to finish. No cooking, no dirtying tons of dishes, no problem. After this, you will never buy Bailey's again! It's so easy and makes perfect gifts. Who wouldn't want to receive this?
Ingredients:
1 cup light cream (I used heavy whipping cream, which made it even richer)14 ounces sweetened condensed milk1 2/3 cup Irish whiskey (I used Jameson's)1 teaspoon instant coffee2 tablespoons chocolate syrup1 teaspoon vanilla1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and set on high speed for 30 seconds.
2. That's it! You're done. You have homemade Bailey's. I told you it was easy!
Just to make sure that our homemade DIY Bailey's was as good as the original stuff, I made my husband (a true Irishman) do a taste test. He could tell based on the look which one was homemade, since I'd just whipped it up in the blender and it still had lots of air bubbles in it, but I bet those will settle quickly and they'll look identical. He said that the homemade stuff was slightly stronger (I might have had a bit of a heavy hand when pouring in the booze) and a tiny bit thicker. I used heavy whipping cream, as opposed to the light whipping cream that the recipe called for, so I think that's probably what made the difference. If you're putting this is coffee (like I do), I actually think that thicker is better. If you want to make it thinner, try the light whipping cream or cut some of it with milk. Otherwise, the flavor was spot on. He was impressed.
The homemade Irish cream will stay good in your refrigerator for up to two months. Since it'll be much longer than that before I can drink booze again, I decided to package it up and give it as gifts to our neighbors. I put the Irish cream in these cute little Mason jars with handles and tied a ribbon around the top. Perfect! I though about printing a label or attaching a recipe for Irish coffee, but I haven't got around to that yet.
Speaking of Irish coffee...I also whipped up a non-alcoholic preggo-friendly batch that left out the whiskey and used instant decaf coffee so I could enjoy it as well. It was even thicker without the Jameson in it, so I added a half cup of skim milk to dilute it. And it was EXCELLENT! My morning coffee just got upgraded.
Ok, so here are all the details for the Lucky (recipe) Linkup. I really hope you'll join us!
- Post your favorite St. Patrick's Day recipe on your blog anytime between now and Monday, March 10th. It can be anything from green cupcakes to Irish drinks to corned beef and cabbage.
- Come back here (or to any of the host blogger's sites) and link your recipe post to this one using the LinkyTools below.
- All participants will then be paired with another participating blogger and you will make her favorite recipe from her blog post (and hopefully meet a new blogger and make a friend in the process).
- Everyone will have one week to make the swapped recipe. Feel free tomake any edits to the recipe you want to fit your dietary needs/restrictions. Perhaps you are dairy free, don't use food coloring, or have trouble finding an ingredient at your local market - no problem! Make any edits you want to make it your own.
- Share the recipe and photos of your new dish from the swap on your blog on Monday, March 17th (St. Patrick's Day). Your recipe will get exposure on another blog and your hosts (us!) will be pinning our favorite recipes to a St. Patrick's Day recipe Pinterest board.
I really hope you'll join us!
Cheers!
Host bloggers:
FAQs
Original Irish Cream blends Irish whiskey and spirits with Irish dairy cream and a touch of rich chocolate and vanilla flavours. Pour over ice cream, mix into coffee, or enjoy it with ice for an originally delish Baileys moment.
What's the best mix for Baileys? ›
Baileys and vodka go so well together, and Baileys and coffee is already a classic mix! It's so simple to make at home. In just three easy steps, you'll have a show-stopping co*cktail that'll treat your friends – or why not add a touch of decadence to your group's movie night?
Why is Baileys so creamy? ›
Irish whiskey, fresh dairy cream, and premium chocolate combine to give Baileys Irish Cream its distinct and creamy flavour. As a result of the meticulous blending of these components, Baileys has become one of the world's most well-known and widely used liqueurs.
Can you mix Baileys with anything? ›
Baileys can be easily mixed with all manner of beverages to make a simple, creamy drink. The only rule is to avoid citrus or anything with a lot of citric acid, which makes it curdle. That means avoid juices and soda.
Can I drink 10 year old Baileys? ›
Does Bailey's Irish Cream go bad or expire? Generally as long as you don't subject it to temperature extremes it will last well beyond the official 2 year "best taste before" date. Over time the taste will change and the liquid tends to go a bit darker but only really noticeable if you do a side by side comparison.
How long does homemade Baileys last for? ›
Pour into sterilised glasses, seal and place into the fridge. Keep unopened in the fridge for 2 months. Once opened, keep refrigerated and consume within 1 week.
Should Baileys be refrigerated? ›
Whether or not it has been opened, a bottle of Baileys lasts for two years. It's best to keep the bottle of Baileys away from direct sunlight, per The Rusty Spoon, because temperatures over 77 degrees F can change its consistency. Even though Baileys doesn't need to be refrigerated, it will eventually go bad.
Does Baileys need to be refrigerated after opening? ›
Manufacturers of cream liqueurs point to the effective preservative qualities of alcohol as the reason that refrigeration is not required. Baileys™ guarantees it's product for 2 years from the date of manufacture, opened or unopened, and suggests a storage temperature range of 0-25˚Celsius.
How long does Baileys last once opened? ›
When stored in the right conditions, an opened bottle can last for up to two years. The key to preserving Baileys quality after opening lies in storing it correctly. To maximize its time, store the opened bottle in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. A cupboard or liquor cabinet are ideal locations.
What should you not mix with Baileys? ›
Basic guidelines for pairing with Baileys
This spirit is great to enjoy on its own, but it's even better when mixed with other drinks. No matter what you choose to mix it with, it's sure to be delicious. The only hard rule to abide by when mixing Baileys is to avoid citrus notes.
Baileys is made from the very best of premium quality dairy cream, triple-distilled whiskey, and fine spirits. It takes about 220 million liters of fresh cream from 38,000 top-bred Irish dairy cows (Baileys Ladies) for the creation of baileys annually.
Can you just drink Baileys straight? ›
Irish cream liqueur is wonderfully versatile. It's so rich and full of flavour, so one of the best ways to drink it is straight or over ice, and just savour the taste of the liqueur. It's also great as an ingredient in shooters, co*cktails and warm drinks like coffee and hot chocolate. Here are a few of our favourites!
What is the difference between Baileys and Kahlua? ›
Baileys and Kahlua both complement a freshly brewed cup of coffee, but there are distinct differences between the two liqueurs. Baileys is creamy and derives its taste from cream, cocoa, and Irish Whiskey. Kahlua is dark without the creaminess of Baileys and is made with 100 percent arabica coffee, rum, and sugar.
Can you put lemonade in Baileys? ›
The acidic lime juice causes the cream-based Baileys to curdle. The curdled Baileys does not taste sour, but it does rapidly gain viscosity and stick to the drinker's teeth, reminiscent of cement. For a sweeter taste, two shot glasses, one of lemonade and one of Baileys, can be used.
Is Baileys good in coffee? ›
Directions. Brew your favorite coffee as you normally would. Instead of milk, add a drop of Baileys Original Irish Cream, or use your favourite flavour of Baileys if you're feeling creative – they're all just sooo delicious in a hot cup of coffee!
What's the difference between Baileys and Kahlua? ›
Baileys and Kahlua both complement a freshly brewed cup of coffee, but there are distinct differences between the two liqueurs. Baileys is creamy and derives its taste from cream, cocoa, and Irish Whiskey. Kahlua is dark without the creaminess of Baileys and is made with 100 percent arabica coffee, rum, and sugar.
Is there any caffeine in Baileys? ›
If you are talking about a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream, the miniscule amount of caffeine is wiped out by the alcohol.
What's the difference between Baileys and Irish cream? ›
At its simplest, Irish cream contains Irish whiskey and cream, but many brands, including Baileys, add other flavorings like chocolate and vanilla.
How long can you keep Baileys once opened? ›
Baileys™ has a best before date on the left hand side of the back label (two years from date of manufacture). Other manufacturers, such as Carolan's™ may have different recommendations. They suggest a shelf-life of six months after opening, and recommend storage in the refrigerator once the product is opened.
