Irish Desserts: How to Make 9 Heavenly Bakes from Ireland

There’s something magical about the smell of cinnamon, butter, and baked apples filling your kitchen—like a hug from generations past. Irish desserts aren’t just sweets; they’re edible stories. You don’t need Irish roots to love them—just an appreciation for food made with heart.

Think of rustic apple cake, perfected over centuries in farmhouse kitchens. Every bite of simple shortbread, rich and crumbly, is steeped in tradition.

These recipes are my comfort on chaotic holidays and gloomy weekdays. They’re a taste of Ireland, no passport required. So, dust off your mixing bowls—there’s a pot of tea and something sweet waiting.

What Makes Irish Desserts So Special?

You may wonder what sets Irish sweets apart from their global counterparts. The secret lies in simplicity. Irish baking leans on ingredients like creamy butter, hearty oats, and sharp apples, delivering bold flavors without complexity. Many of these recipes use what’s available in a traditional Irish pantry, making them both rustic and rich.

Common Traits of Irish Desserts

• Locally-inspired ingredients: Irish butter, tea-soaked fruit, fresh cream
• Less sugar-heavy: Balanced sweetness without overwhelming your taste buds
• Deep-rooted tradition: Many are tied to holidays or ancient customs
• Comfort-centric: Think cozy, homely, and heartwarming

9 Heavenly Irish Desserts You’ll Love Making

1. Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce

A traditional farmhouse favorite, perfect for rainy afternoons.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup Irish butter
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cups chopped Bramley apples
• ¼ cup buttermilk (optional for added moisture)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light. Beat in eggs one at a time.
3. Sift flour, baking powder, and cinnamon together.
4. Fold dry mixture into the wet ingredients, adding buttermilk if desired.
5. Stir in chopped apples.
6. Pour batter into the pan and bake for 40–45 minutes.
7. Serve warm with custard or cream.

2. Barmbrack (Irish Tea Bread)

A lightly sweet, fruit-laden loaf soaked in tea.

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups dried mixed fruit
• 1 cup strong brewed black tea (cooled)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp mixed spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice)

Instructions:

1. Soak dried fruit in tea overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a loaf pan.
3. Mix flour, soda, sugar, and spice. Stir the beaten egg and fruit into the tea.
4. Stir until combined. Pour into the pan and smooth the top.
5. Bake for 1 hour. Cool before slicing.

3. Chocolate Guinness Cake

Moist, rich, and perfect for celebrations.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Guinness stout
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• ⅔ cup sour cream
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2½ tsp baking soda

Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ cup heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
2. Simmer butter and Guinness until melted. Whisk in cocoa and sugar.
3. Beat eggs and sour cream. Add to the chocolate mix.
4. Mix flour with baking soda and stir until the mixture is smooth.
5. Put the batter in the pan and bake it for 50 to 60 minutes.
6. Cool and frost with cream cheese topping.

4. Irish Porter Cake

A spiced fruitcake pairs perfectly with a cup of tea.

Ingredients:

• 2½ cups mixed dried fruit
• 1 cup porter beer
• ½ cup Irish butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2½ cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 2 eggs

Instructions:

1. Let the fruit gently boil in the pot for 10 minutes. Let cool.
2. Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs.
3. Mix flour, spices, and soda. Fold into the wet mix.
4. Stir in cooled fruit.
5. Pour into a greased 8-inch pan and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 1 hour.

5. Yellowman (Honeycomb Toffee)

A crunchy candy from Northern Ireland.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 4 tbsp golden syrup or honey
• 1½ tsp baking soda

Instructions:

1. Line a tray with parchment. Heat sugar and syrup to 300°F (150°C).
2. Take away from the heat and rapidly mix in the baking soda.
3. Pour into the tray and let it set. Break into pieces.

6. Irish Rice Pudding

Creamy and comforting—old-fashioned goodness.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup short-grain rice
• 4 cups whole milk
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Rinse rice. Mix together all the ingredients in a greased dish for baking.
2. Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 1½ hours. Stir occasionally.

7. Carrageen Moss Pudding

A light jelly made from Irish seaweed.

Ingredients:

• ½ oz dried carrageen moss
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tbsp sugar

Instructions:

1. Soak moss for 15 minutes. Simmer in milk for 20 minutes.
2. Strain, then mix with yolk and sugar.
3. Chill until set.

8. Irish Doughnuts (Boxty-Inspired)

Rustic, pan-fried delights.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 cup flour
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup sugar
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients. Shape into discs.
2. Fry in hot oil until golden. Serve with jam or powdered sugar.

9. Irish Shortbread Fingers

Crumbly, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Irish butter
• 2 cups flour
• ½ cup sugar

Instructions:

1. Cream butter and sugar. Add flour.
2. Press into the pan. Score fingers and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 30 minutes.

Bonus: Ailey’s Cheesecake (Bailey’s Twist)

A luscious take on Bailey’s cheesecake recipes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups crushed digestive biscuits
• ½ cup melted butter
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 8 oz mascarpone
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ cup whipped cream
• ¼ cup Baileys Irish Cream

Instructions:

1. Mix crumbs with butter. Press into a springform pan.
2. Beat cheeses and sugar. Fold in the cream and Baileys.
3. Pour over the crust. Chill 4+ hours.

Tips for Baking Authentic Irish Desserts

You want your bakes to be more than close approximations. Utilize these suggestions to achieve the ideal outcome.

Use Irish Ingredients

• Irish butter: Makes all the difference
• Oats: Adds that rustic texture

Keep It Balanced

• Irish desserts aren’t overly sugary. Highlight the authentic flavors of the ingredients.
• Use Traditional Tools
• Cast iron pans, pudding molds, and wooden spoons bring authenticity and even cooking.

Ireland Dessert Recipes Are More Than Sweets

Irish sweets are tied closely to culture and tradition. Many of these desserts are linked to holidays, family gatherings, or even folklore.

Barmbrack

Traditionally, charms like coins or rings were hidden inside barmbrack to predict one’s future.

Apple Cake

The apple cake is often a centerpiece dessert after roast dinners, especially in rural homes.

Shortbread

During the holidays, shortbread fingers are often served alongside Irish cream.

Bonus Recipe: Ailey’s Cheesecake – A Modern Irish Gem

You’ve likely heard of Bailey’s cheesecake recipes, but “Ailey’s cheesecake” is a creamier, denser twist using Irish cream liqueur, mascarpone, and a buttery biscuit crust.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount
Digestive biscuits (crushed)	2 cups
Butter (melted)	½ cup
Mascarpone cheese	8 oz
Cream cheese	8 oz
Baileys Irish Cream	¼ cup
Sugar	¾ cup
Whipping cream	½ cup

This no-bake dessert is indulgent and perfect for celebrations. Chill it and garnish with grated chocolate for a genuine Irish flair.

Irish Desserts: Your Questions Answered

Okay, what’s Ireland’s #1 dessert?
Hands down, it’s gotta be Irish Apple Cake – that cozy, cinnamon-spiced beauty served with warm custard. It’s like a hug from an Irish grandma in dessert form.

What are the classic must-try Irish desserts?
The holy grail includes:

1. That famous apple cake we just mentioned
2. A fruity tea bread known as Barmbrack, ideal for spreading with butter
3. Porter Cake (dense, sticky, and loaded with dried fruit)
4. Shortbread Fingers (so buttery they practically melt)

Wait, what exactly is “Irish pudding”?
Good question! It’s confusing because pudding can mean either:

• Creamy rice pudding (the sweet kind)
• Or try Carrageen Moss pudding (prepared with seaweed but surprisingly delightful!)

What sweets do people eat on St. Paddy’s Day?
Everyone goes wild for Chocolate Guinness Cake (yes, with actual beer!) and Baileys Cheesecake. Because if you’re going to celebrate, might as well do it right, yeah?

So what makes a dessert “Irish” anyway?
Imagine creating uncomplicated, satisfying bakes with local produce – lots of Irish butter, seasonal apples, and oats for a bit of flair.

While we’re at it, what’s the full St. Patrick’s Day meal deal?
You’ll typically find:

• Corned beef and cabbage (the classic)
• Soda bread (essential for mopping up gravy)
• Colcannon (mashed potatoes with greens)
• And for dessert? That Guinness cake we mentioned!

Give me the quick list of top Irish desserts again?
Can’t go wrong with:

1. Apple Cake
2. Barmbrack
3. Guinness Cake
4. Rice Pudding
5. Shortbread

What other Irish foods should I know about?
If you want savory options, try:

• Irish stew (the ultimate comfort food)
• Boxty (potato pancakes that’ll change your life)
• Shepherd’s pie (especially on a cold day)

Is there an Irish version of flan?
Not exactly, but Carrageen Moss pudding has a similar creamy texture. It’s like nature’s Jell-O but way better!

Last one – is soda bread a dessert?
Usually no (it’s more of a bread), but some sweeter versions with raisins can cross over into dessert territory, especially when slathered with jam and butter!

Bring the Emerald Isle to Your Oven

You’ve now explored nine incredible Irish desserts—each with its charm, history, and flavor. Whether you’re baking a traditional Irish pastry like shortbread or experimenting with modern hits like Bailey’s cheesecake recipes, you’re tapping into centuries of culinary tradition.

So tie your apron, preheat your oven, and bring a taste of Ireland to your table.

Call to Action

Have a family recipe you’d love to share? Tried one of these heavenly bakes? Drop your thoughts in the comments below or tag your creations with #IrishBakes on Instagram. Your Irish dessert journey is just beginning—let’s sweeten it together.