A Taste of Ireland: Homemade Irish Cream Goodies 
by Kim Tilley

Take your taste buds to Ireland without leaving home! Enjoy these delicious homemade treats by making the basic Irish Cream first, then use it in any of the recipes that follow. Of course, it's always great in your coffee too! 

Homemade Irish Cream from Paulette

This great recipe was given to me by an online friend from the Telecrafter list. Paulette likes to give her homemade Irish Cream and her favorite Irish Tea Bread to friends and family in a St. Patty's gift basket. 

1 part honey (1/2 c.) 
2 parts heavy cream (1 c.) 
3 parts Irish whiskey (1.5 c.) 
1/2 tsp. instant coffee per 3 cups of above mix. 

1. Shake and store in refrigerator. 
2. Shake every day or so, and before serving. 

Can be consumed within a week, but better after two. 

Bailey's Irish Cream Cake  18 1/4 oz Pkg. yellow cake mix  4 oz Instant chocolate pudding  3/4 c Oil  1/8 c Water  1/4 c Vodka  3/8 c Bailey's Irish Cream  4 Eggs

1. Combine cake mix, pudding mix, oil, water, vodka, liqueur and eggs in bowl. Beat until smooth. 
2. Pour into greased and floured 10 inch bundt pan. 
3. Bake at 350~F 40 to 50 minutes or until done. Remove from pan and cool completely. 
4. Mix a glaze of Bailey's and powdered sugar to a thick consistency and drizzle over cake.

Festive Irish Cream Cheesecake

1 c graham cracker crumbs 
1/4 c sugar 
1/4 c margarine, melted 
1 ea. envelope unflavored gelatin 
1/2 c cold water 
1 c sugar 
3 ea large eggs, separated 
16 oz cream cheese, softened 
2 tb cocoa 
2 tb bourbon 
1 c whipping cream, whipped 

1. Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and margarine; press onto bottom of 9-inch spring form pan. 
2. Soften gelatin in water, stir over low heat until dissolved. Blend in 3/4 cup sugar and beaten egg yolks; cook stirring constantly, over low heat, 3 minutes. 
3. Combine cream cheese and cocoa, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended. Gradually add gelatin mixture and bourbon, mixing until well blended. 
4. Chill until thickened, but not set. 
5. Beat egg whites until foamy; gradually adding the remaining sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold egg whites and whipped cream into cheese mixture and pour over crust. Chill until firm. 
6. Garnish with chocolate curls and small silver candy balls, if desired. 

Variation: Substitute 2 T cold coffee for bourbon. 

Bailey's Irish Cream Mousse Pie
Servings: 4 

3 Eggs, separated 
3/4 c Bailey's Irish Cream 
1 c Walnut meats, chopped 
1/8 t Salt 
2 c whipped topping 
2 T shaved chocolate (semi-sweet)

1. Beat egg yolks until lemon-colored. Add salt and Bailey's. 
2. Cook in top of double boiler until yolk mixture thickens. cool. 
3. Beat egg whites until stiff. Combine egg/Bailey's mixture, egg whites, and 2/3 of the Cool Whip, using a folding motion. Fold in 3/4 cup of the nutmeats. 
4. Scrape into a baked pie shell. Cover with remaining whipped topping. 
5. Sprinkle with remaining nut meats and chocolate shavings. Freeze for 4 hours (no more than 8, though). 

Bailey's Chocolate Mousse Pie #2
Servings: 4 

6 oz Ready Crust (graham/chocolate) 
1 pkg Unflavored gelatin (envelope) 
1 t Vanilla 
3/4 c Milk 
3/4 c Bailey's Irish Cream 
6-oz semisweet choc chips 
2 c Frozen whipped topping 
Choc-dipped strawberries (as garnish, if desired)

1. In saucepan, sprinkle unflavored gelatin over milk. Let stand about 1 minute. Stir over low heat until gelatin is dissolved, about 5 minutes. 
2. Add chocolate and continue cooking, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted: stir in vanilla. 
3. Remove from heat and stir occasionally, adding Bailey's about five minutes after removal from heat. 
4. When mixture forms mounds when dropped from spoon, fold in whipped topping. Turn into crust. Garnish with more whipped topping (or real whipped cream, later, by preference) and strawberries (if desired). Chill at least 4 hours before serving.

Bailey's Irish Cream Bread (For a bread machine) 

1 1/4 c water; very warm 
1 pkg yeast 
1 c oats 
3 c Bread flour 
1 tsp salt 
1/3 c honey 
2 tbsp Bailey's Irish cream 

(Recipe by Aine McManus, Gaelic List) 

Put ingredients in pan in order listed, Select "white bread" setting on machine and press Start. The bread doesn't rise much, but the texture is great.

Related Articles:

St. Patrick and His Legend
bishop, missionary (c. 389-461)
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day for many folks in our era means hearty festivities, the wearing o' the green, and lots of luck o' the Irish.  We all know, however, that there is a much more to the day than meets the eye.

A Taste of Ireland: Coffee and Tea Delights 
Get your blood flowing with some stout Irish treats! All of these recipes make great gifts or desserts for a special get together. Just keep them away from the kids- most of these recipes contain a touch o' whiskey!

Irish Cuisine for St. Patrick's Day
Whether you are Irish or not, it's fun to celebrate with those us who are by serving Irish fare on St. Patrick's Day. Irish cooking is traditionally hearty and simple, reflecting the way of life most Irish folk lived in the past, and still today.