If you’re a fan of rich, indulgent desserts with a boozy twist, this Bailey’s Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle is a must-try! Layers of creamy Bailey’s-infused cheesecake, moist chocolate cake or brownies, and whipped cream, all drizzled with chocolate ganache, come together to create the ultimate decadent treat. This dessert is perfect for special occasions, dinner parties, or anytime you want to impress with a showstopping dessert. Best of all, it's easy to assemble, and the flavors only get better as the trifle chills.
Ready to make this luscious dessert? Let’s dive into the recipe!
What Is a Bailey’s Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle?
A Bailey’s Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle is a layered dessert that combines moist chocolate cake or brownies, creamy Bailey’s Irish Cream cheesecake, and a whipped topping. The layers are stacked in a large trifle bowl or individual glasses, creating a stunning presentation with alternating layers of chocolate and cheesecake. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of rich chocolate, smooth cheesecake, and the subtle warmth of Bailey’s Irish Cream, making it an unforgettable dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients List for Bailey’s Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle
For the Chocolate Cake or Brownies:
- 1 box of chocolate cake mix or brownie mix (or your favorite homemade recipe)
- Ingredients called for on the box (usually eggs, oil, and water)
For the Bailey’s Cheesecake Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup Bailey’s Irish Cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream (cold)
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Bailey’s Irish Cream (optional)
For the Whipped Cream Layer:
- 1 cup heavy cream (cold)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnishes (Optional):
- Grated chocolate or chocolate curls
- Chocolate shavings
- Mini chocolate chips
- Crushed chocolate cookies or chocolate candy pieces
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some ways to customize your Bailey’s Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle:
- Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free chocolate cake or brownie mix to make the trifle gluten-free.
- Non-Alcoholic Version: Replace Bailey’s Irish Cream with coffee-flavored creamer or a mix of heavy cream and a splash of vanilla extract for a non-alcoholic version.
- Extra Boozy: For a boozier version, add a tablespoon of Bailey’s Irish Cream to the whipped cream topping and drizzle some more Bailey’s over the cake or brownies as you layer the trifle.
- Add a Crunch: Sprinkle crushed chocolate cookies, toffee bits, or chopped nuts between the layers for added texture and crunch.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Preparing the Chocolate Cake or Brownies:
- Bake the cake or brownies: Prepare the chocolate cake or brownies according to the instructions on the box or your favorite recipe. Let it cool completely before cutting it into 1-inch cubes.
- Cool and cut: Once the cake or brownies have cooled, cut them into small cubes for layering in the trifle.
2. Preparing the Bailey’s Cheesecake Layer:
- Beat the cream cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add powdered sugar and Bailey’s: Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and vanilla extract, beating until smooth.
- Whip the cream: In a separate bowl, whip the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Fold the whipped cream into the cheesecake mixture: Gently fold the whipped cream into the Bailey’s cream cheese mixture until fully combined and fluffy.
3. Preparing the Chocolate Ganache:
- Heat the cream: In a small saucepan or microwave, heat the heavy cream until it just begins to simmer. Do not let it boil.
- Melt the chocolate: Place the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 1-2 minutes. Stir until smooth and glossy.
- Optional Bailey’s: Stir in 1 tablespoon of Bailey’s Irish Cream for extra flavor. Let the ganache cool slightly before using.
4. Preparing the Whipped Cream Layer:
- Whip the cream: In a large bowl, beat the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
5. Assembling the Trifle:
- Layer cake or brownies: In a large trifle dish or individual glasses, begin by adding a layer of chocolate cake or brownie cubes at the bottom.
- Add cheesecake layer: Spoon or pipe a generous layer of Bailey’s cheesecake mixture over the cake or brownie layer.
- Drizzle with ganache: Drizzle some of the chocolate ganache over the cheesecake layer.
- Repeat layers: Continue layering cake or brownies, cheesecake, and ganache until the trifle dish is filled. Finish with a layer of whipped cream on top.
- Garnish: Garnish the top of the trifle with grated chocolate, chocolate curls, mini chocolate chips, or any desired toppings.
- Chill the trifle: Refrigerate the assembled trifle for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
How to Cook Bailey’s Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Prepare the cake or brownies: Bake and cool the chocolate cake or brownies, then cut into cubes.
- Make Bailey’s cheesecake: Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar, Bailey’s, and vanilla, and fold in whipped cream.
- Prepare ganache: Melt chocolate chips with heavy cream, and stir in Bailey’s for extra flavor.
- Assemble the trifle: Layer cake or brownies, Bailey’s cheesecake, and chocolate ganache, finishing with whipped cream.
- Chill and garnish: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and garnish with chocolate shavings, curls, or any desired toppings.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not chilling long enough: Allow the trifle to chill for at least 2 hours before serving to let the flavors meld together and the cheesecake layer to set properly.
- Overwhipping the cream: When whipping the cream, stop as soon as stiff peaks form. Overwhipping can cause the cream to become grainy or separate.
- Cutting the cake or brownies too large: Keep the cake or brownie cubes small (around 1-inch) to ensure a good balance of cake, cheesecake, and ganache in each bite.
Serving and Presentation Tips
How to Serve Bailey’s Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle
- Chilled: This trifle is best served chilled, so be sure to keep it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Serve individually: You can make individual trifles by layering the ingredients in smaller glasses or jars for a more elegant presentation.
Presentation Ideas for Bailey’s Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle
- Chocolate curls and shavings: Use a vegetable peeler to create chocolate curls from a bar of chocolate or sprinkle chocolate shavings on top of the whipped cream for an elegant finish.
- Mini chocolate chips: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the top for a fun, crunchy garnish.
- Espresso beans or cookies: Garnish the top with chocolate-covered espresso beans, or crumble chocolate cookies for extra texture and flavor.
Bailey’s Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle Recipe Tips
- Make ahead: This trifle can be made a day in advance. Just assemble and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. The flavors will deepen, and the cheesecake will set beautifully.
- Use good-quality chocolate: For the ganache, use high-quality chocolate for the best flavor and a smooth, glossy finish.
- Customize the cake layer: You can use store-bought chocolate cake, brownies, or even chocolate cookies as the base for this trifle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I make this trifle without alcohol?
A: Yes! Simply substitute the Bailey’s Irish Cream with coffee-flavored creamer, or a mix of heavy cream and vanilla extract for a non-alcoholic version.
Q: How long does this trifle last in the fridge?
A: The trifle can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. After that, the whipped cream and cheesecake layers may begin to lose their texture.
Q: Can I freeze the trifle?
A: This dessert is best enjoyed fresh or within a few days of making it. Freezing is not recommended, as the whipped cream and cheesecake layers may not retain their texture after thawing.
Q: Can I use a different liqueur instead of Bailey’s?
A: Yes! You can experiment with other liqueurs like Kahlúa, Frangelico, or Amaretto for a different flavor profile.
Q: Can I use store-bought cake or brownies?
A: Absolutely! Using store-bought cake or brownies can save time without sacrificing flavor. Just cut them into cubes and layer as instructed.
Conclusion
This Bailey’s Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle is a truly indulgent dessert that combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the deep flavors of chocolate and Bailey’s Irish Cream. With its stunning layers and irresistible taste, this dessert is sure to impress your guests at any gathering. Whether you make it in a large trifle dish or as individual servings, this trifle is an easy yet luxurious way to end any meal. Enjoy the rich, velvety goodness of each bite!
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Bailey’s Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes + chilling time
- Yield: 10 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Bailey's Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle is a luscious no-bake dessert that combines the richness of chocolate, the creaminess of cheesecake, and the smooth flavor of Bailey’s Irish Cream. Perfect for dinner parties or special occasions, this trifle features layers of chocolate cake, Bailey’s-infused cheesecake cream, and whipped topping. Made with simple ingredients like cream cheese, Bailey’s, and chocolate, this dessert is easy to prepare and assemble. Impress your guests with this indulgent treat in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
This Bailey's Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle is a luscious no-bake dessert that combines the richness of chocolate, the creaminess of cheesecake, and the smooth flavor of Bailey’s Irish Cream. Perfect for dinner parties or special occasions, this trifle features layers of chocolate cake, Bailey’s-infused cheesecake cream, and whipped topping. Made with simple ingredients like cream cheese, Bailey’s, and chocolate, this dessert is easy to prepare and assemble. Impress your guests with this indulgent treat in just 30 minutes!
Instructions
- Crumble chocolate cake or brownies and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Slowly add Bailey’s Irish Cream and continue mixing until well incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form, then fold into the Bailey’s cream cheese mixture.
- Layer the crumbled chocolate cake at the bottom of a trifle dish or individual serving cups.
- Add a layer of Bailey’s cheesecake filling, followed by a sprinkle of chocolate chips or shavings.
- Repeat layers until the dish is full, finishing with a whipped cream topping.
- Garnish with cocoa powder or additional chocolate shavings, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute store-bought chocolate cake or brownies for convenience.
- Adjust the amount of Bailey’s to your taste preference.
- The trifle can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (assembly)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 220mg
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