Looking for an elegant yet effortless way to sweeten your festive season? This holiday Irish cream dessert is rich, indulgent, silky, and irresistibly chocolatey – perfect for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or any celebration that calls for something decadent and boozy!
This post was originally published in December 2020, last updated in October 2025.
Hey, folks! I hope you all are doing well.
Today, I am thrilled to share with you a dangerously easy and delicious boozy dessert, which is perfect for any holiday celebration, including Christmas. Let’s dive into this Irish Cream Chocolate Dessert – Easy Holiday Treat!
Why You’ll Love This Irish Cream Chocolate Dessert – Easy Holiday Treat
- Effortless Elegance: Takes just minutes to prepare but looks and tastes like a fine restaurant dessert.
- Festive Flair: The addition of Irish cream makes it ideal for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
- No Baking Required: A simple stovetop-and-mixer dessert – perfect when the oven is full of holiday dishes.
- Customizable Sweetness: You can make it as light or as rich as you prefer.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Chill it in advance and focus on entertaining your guests later.
Irish Cream Chocolate Dessert: Texture & Flavour Profile
This holiday Irish Cream chocolate dessert is the epitome of creamy indulgence – velvety, smooth, and just dense enough to feel luxurious without being too heavy. It leans towards a mouse category, but it does not have that signature airy texture. The tangy cream cheese balances the deep, slightly bitter notes of dark chocolate, while the Irish cream adds a rich, boozy warmth and subtle sweetness. The result? A grown-up, festive twist on classic chocolate mousse that melts on your tongue and leaves a lingering whisper of cocoa and cream.
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Festive Dessert
- Dark or semi-dark chocolate – The star of the show, bringing deep, rich flavour and smooth texture. Milk chocolate can be used for a sweeter, creamier profile.
- Heavy cream – Helps melt the chocolate gently and adds a velvety consistency to the final dessert.
- Cream cheese – Gives a luscious, slightly tangy base that balances the sweetness and makes the texture ultra-creamy.
- Irish cream liqueur – Infuses the dessert with luxurious holiday flavour and a gentle boozy kick; adjust to taste for stronger or milder results.
- Powdered sugar (optional) – Sweetens and smooths the mixture if your chocolate is on the bitter side.
- Chocolate shavings or curls – For garnish; adds visual appeal and a little crunch to contrast the creamy texture.
Variations and Additions
Although this easy holiday Irish Cream Chocolate Dessert is already delicious, you can customize it to make it even more exciting:
- Mocha Twist: Add a spoonful of espresso powder for a coffee-chocolate kick.
- Peppermint Holiday Edition: Stir in a few drops of peppermint extract and top with crushed candy canes for a festive touch.
- Orange Chocolate Delight: Add orange zest or a splash of orange liqueur for a sophisticated citrusy aroma.
- Layered Parfait: Alternate the chocolate mixture with crushed cookies, whipped cream, or raspberry compote for a show-stopping trifle effect.
More Easy Holiday Desserts
Did you like this holiday Irish cream dessert? Be sure to check more festive ideas:
- Pistachio Panettone Trifle
- Gingerbread Cranberry Panettone Trifle – Easy Christmas Dessert
- Quick Candied Chestnuts
- Pistachio Cointreau Truffles
- Christmas Gingerbread Tiramisu (Christmas Gingerbread Trifle)
I’d love for you to try this Irish Cream Chocolate Dessert – Easy Holiday Treat. If you give the recipe a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts!
Cheers!
Irish Cream Chocolate Dessert – Easy Holiday Treat
Rich, creamy holiday Irish cream dessert with silky chocolate and Baileys – an easy no-bake treat for Christmas or New Year’s Eve.
4-6
servings10
minutes10
minutes1-2
hoursKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
200 g dark or semi-dark chocolate (Use milk chocolate if desired), roughly chopped
5 tbsp. (75 ml) heavy (whipping) cream
400 g cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup 9120 ml) Irish cream, less or more, to taste
more chocolate, for garnish
Directions
- Combine the chocolate and cream and melt over low-medium heat, stirring, until smooth. Cool for about 15 minutes.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese 1 minute.
- Add the cooled melted chocolate and continue whipping for about 2 minutes.
- Stir in the Irish cream and beat until just incorporated, 30 seconds or so. Try and add more Irish cream, if desired. Also, you might want to adjust the sweetness – simply add some powdered sugar and mix until well-combined.
- Divide between serving glasses. Chill for at least 30 minutes or longer. Garnish with some extra chocolate, if desired. Enjoy!
This is very good and so easy! Of course I was the idiot who made it when my dishwasher was broken. I had champagne coupes from the 50’s that I used. I almost made Irish Cream whipped cream, but I decided to hold off. So, thanks for the recipe!
Haha thank you!
I am glad you’ve enjoyed this. And I think Irish Cream whipped cream would have been a nice addition.
We always celebrate with chocolate and your gorgeous mousse would be an instant hit with my crew. Happy New Year!
This sounds like an amazing New Year’s Eve recipe! It also sounds like a great recipe for a cold January Saturday night. That Irish Cream in there is totally calling my name. Happy New Year, Ben!
This is beyond amazing! So creamy, chocolatey and a little booze is always a welcome! Happy New Year Ben! Here’s to hoping 2021 is amazing!!
This creamy, chocolatey, boozy dessert looks festive and perfect for our NYE celebration, Ben. SO rich and delicious! Wishing you a happy and healthy new year, my friend!