Description
Delight in these rich and buttery Bailey’s Irish Cream Butter Cookies, featuring a tender crumb infused with Irish cream liquor and topped with chocolate-covered espresso beans. Finished with a sweet and creamy Irish cream glaze, these cookies make a perfect treat for festive occasions or cozy afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 sticks (24 Tablespoons) butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons Irish cream liquor
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- 48 chocolate covered espresso beans
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 1¼ tablespoon Irish cream liquor
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Cream butter mixture: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons Irish cream liquor, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add dry ingredients: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and salt into the creamed mixture until just combined and a soft dough forms. Avoid over mixing to keep the dough tender.
- Shape the dough: Roll the dough into walnut-sized balls and place them evenly spaced on parchment-lined baking sheets to prevent sticking.
- Decorate with espresso beans: Press one chocolate-covered espresso bean onto the top center of each dough ball to add flavor and decorative appeal.
- Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly browned, indicating they are done.
- Cool cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets or on a wire rack before glazing.
- Prepare the glaze: While the cookies cool, whisk together 1 cup of confectioners sugar and 1¼ tablespoons of Irish cream liquor until the mixture is smooth and creamy, forming a drizzleable glaze.
- Glaze the cookies: Transfer the glaze into a small zip-top bag and snip off a tiny corner to create a piping tip. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies in decorative patterns.
- Set the glaze: Allow the glazed cookies to sit undisturbed until the glaze firms up before serving or storing.
Notes
- Use softened butter at room temperature for easier creaming and a better cookie texture.
- Do not over mix the dough once the flour is added to keep the cookies tender, not tough.
- If you prefer a stronger Irish cream flavor, you can brush a little extra Irish cream liquor on the cookies before glazing.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a vegan butter alternative and use a dairy-free Irish cream substitute.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Keywords: Bailey's Irish Cream Cookies, Butter Cookies, Irish Cream Dessert, Chocolate Espresso Beans, Holiday Cookies
