25 Irish Desserts (+ Easy Recipes) (2024)

Ireland is famous for its lush green landscape and rolling hills. And when it comes to food, Irish cuisine is known for stews, colcannon, and of course, beer!

But believe it or not, Irish desserts deserve their fair share of praise, too.

25 Irish Desserts (+ Easy Recipes) (1)

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I did some digging around and found some truly delicious sweet Irish recipes you just have to try.

From classic soda bread to something a little boozy, your guests will feel so lucky when you whip up these 25 Irish Desserts.

25 Traditional and Easy Irish Desserts

1. Guinness Chocolate Cake

Get your St. Patrick’s Day started with this melt-in-your-mouth Guinness chocolate cake.

Each bite is packed with chocolatey flavor and a decadent layer of Bailey’s buttercream frosting.

This cake proves that chocolate and beer really do make the perfect combination.

Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.

2. Irish Apple Cake

This Irish apple cake is an old-fashioned favorite.

Topped with an irresistible streusel topping, this might just be my favorite dessert.

It’s like a cross between coffee cake and apple pie. Two of my favorite things!

Perfect for breakfast with a warm cup of coffee.

3. Shamrock Shakes

This boozy Shamrock shake is perfect for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration!

It’s a delicious combo of Mint chocolate chip ice cream, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and colorful sprinkles on top.

Perfect for adults and kids alike! Just be sure to leave out the Bailey’s Irish Cream in the kids version.

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4. Irish Whiskey Truffles

With just 5 ingredients, you can have a homemade box of whiskey truffles in no time.

The combination of whiskey and chocolate is surprisingly good. It’s also perfect for get-togeters and gift boxes.

5. Irish Porter Cake

This Irish Porter Cake is here to prove that fruit cakes CAN be delicious!

This traditional Irish dessert is made with dried fruit, hearty spices and porter beer.

Plus, this one gets even better after a day or two. So you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the leftovers with a strong cup of coffee.

6. Traditional Irish Barmbrack

This fruit loaf is delicious and full of flavor thanks to the mix of spices and dried fruits.

7. Irish Coffee

I never understood having coffee after a meal… until I found out you can lace it with whiskey!

St. Patrick’s Day simply isn’t complete without a warm cup of Irish coffee.

Top it off with some whipped cream for the perfect dessert drink.

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8. Irish Potato Candy

No, I haven’t gone mad. And no, there’s not really potato in the mix.

Instead, it’s a sweet and creamy coconut and cream cheese truffle rolled in cinnamon.

But they sure do look like mini spuds, don’t you think?

9. Irish Yellowman Candy

Think of this as the Irish cousin to honeycomb.

A sugar thermometer is a must for this recipe. It can go from ‘hard crack’ to burnt in the blink of an eye!

10. Irish Shortbread

Buttery and crumbly, shortbread is such a simple but delicious treat.

What makes it Irish?

This recipe calls for Irish butter! Trust me, its worth it.

11. Irish Shortbread Toffee Bars

Also known as millionaire shortbread, this recipe combines buttery shortbread with sweet caramel and chocolate.

If you want to really make it Irish, add a little whiskey or Baileys into the caramel.

12. Irish Oat Cookies

Irish oat cookies are a little less sweet than normal, focusing more on the Irish butter flavor.

Perfect with a cuppa (cup of tea), they are crispy on the edges and deliciously chewy in the middle.

13. Irish Chocolate Pots de Crème

This recipe comes together in just 10 minutes.

Smooth and silky chocolate mixes perfectly with an Irish cream syrup for a grown-up dessert that will leave you licking the bowl.

14. Irish Oat Flapjacks

Flapjacks are such a traditional recipe, and everyone has their own preference.

With just 4 ingredients, these are so easy to change up, depending on your mood.

15. Shamrock Cookies

These are the perfect little cookies for St. Patrick’s Day.

If you want to go that extra mile, add some mint extract instead of vanilla to get that real Shamrock flavor.

16. Ridiculously Easy Sticky Toffee Pudding

This is a big favorite of Brits. The only thing they argue about is if it should be served with ice cream or custard.

Being naturally sweetened with dates, you won’t feel guilty about that incredible toffee sauce.

17. Plum Pudding

If you’re looking for something a little different this Christmas, why not try out something that screams Irish Christmas?

The ingredients list is long and includes carrots, breadcrumbs, plums, and a pint of Guinness.

But if you put in the time and top it with brandy sauce, I promise you’ll never look back.

18. Irish Lemon Pudding Tart

The Irish lemon tart differs from other lemon tarts by being a little milder in flavor.

However, the shortbread crust and luscious lemon custard are a great combination for any occasion.

19. Traditional Irish Bread and Butter Pudding

Bread pudding is a cheap but easy dessert.

Made with bread slices, sultanas, and a sweet egg mixture, it makes a lovely warm dessert.

I like to soak my raisins in hot tea to add another layer of flavor.

20. Irish Croissant Bread Pudding

Not only does this recipe take it up a notch by using croissant, but they want you to soak your raisins in whisky.

I don’t think I need to go on…

21. Potato and Apple Pudding

Again, you’re gonna have to trust me.

The potato mixture acts like a pastry in this recipe and works so well with the spiced apples.

22. Bailey’s Irish Cream Cake

The cake in this recipe is moist and has such a tender crumb crust, that it would be perfectly acceptable alone.

But once you try this Bailey’s glaze, you’re probably going to want to put it on everything.

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23. Baileys Cheesecake

Sweet, rich, and just a little boozy, I have a feeling you’ll go nuts for this Baileys cheesecake.

The contrast between the light filling and chocolate crust is to die for.

But if you’re looking for a little less chocolate, try using a shortbread base instead.

24. Traditional Irish Scones

Scones are so versatile that you can serve with cream, jam, honey, butter, fresh fruit, or even bacon.

How are these different from English scones? These have citrus rinds included for a more unique flavor.

25. Orange-Scented Whiskey ‘Soufflé’ Pie

One last recipe with potatoes!

This pie is more like a souffle cake, in that it will lose its height as it cools.

Whatever you call it, the orange and whiskey flavors are so good, you won’t need anything on the side.

25 Irish Desserts (+ Easy Recipes) (4)

25 Traditional Irish Dessert Recipe Collection

Looking for the tastiest Irish desserts? You’re in luck! From cakes, to cookies, to shamrock shakes, these 24 treats are like finding a pot of gold.

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a delicious dessert in 30 minutes or less!
25 Irish Desserts (+ Easy Recipes) (5)

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25 Irish Desserts (+ Easy Recipes) (2024)

FAQs

What is the most famous dessert in Ireland? ›

Traditional Irish Desserts
  • Irish apple cake. Irish apple cake is known for its simplicity and rich flavors, making it a cherished dessert for many. ...
  • Porter cake. ...
  • Carrageen moss pudding. ...
  • Barmbrack bread. ...
  • Soda bread. ...
  • Irish cream liqueur brownies. ...
  • St. ...
  • Irish potato candy.
Feb 20, 2024

What are Irish flavors? ›

Dining at the Irish table: your guide to Irish flavours
  • Pork, beef and lamb. Pork-based products have long had a special place in the Irish diet, from the classic bacon and cabbage to the great breakfast fry. ...
  • Cheese and dairy. ...
  • Irish bread and baked treats. ...
  • Seaweed.

What is the national dessert of Ireland? ›

The national dessert of Ireland is the traditional Irish apple pie. This delicious dessert is made with sweet, tart apples, warm spices, and a buttery pastry crust. How is Irish apple pie different from other apple pies? Irish apple pie is often made with a lattice crust on top, giving it a distinctive appearance.

What is the famous cookie in Ireland? ›

Favorite Traditional Irish Cookies

Irish Shortbread: although shortbread's history is more closely associated with Scotland, the Irish have adapted it with their amazing butter, following the usual ratio of one part sugar, two parts butter, and three parts flour.

What are Irish sweets? ›

Irish Sweets & Lollies
  • BARRATT (11)
  • BONDS (1)
  • Chewits (2)
  • Fisherman's (2)
  • Fruit-tella (2)
  • Jakeman's (1)
  • Maynards (2)
  • NESTLE (1)

What are the 14 most well known Irish main dishes? ›

  • Beef and guinness pie. [Beef and guinness pie] ...
  • Shepherd's pie. Shepherd's pie. ...
  • Boxty. Boxty. ...
  • Irish stew. Irish stew. ...
  • Irish soda bread rolls. Irish soda bread rolls. ...
  • Potato and leek soup. Creamy potato and leek soup.
  • Smoked cod and cheddar pie. Smoked cod and cheddar pie.
  • Slow-cooked lamb shank pie. Slow-cooked lamb shank pie.
Mar 15, 2022

What is the most common dish in Ireland? ›

One of the most popular and iconic Irish foods is undoubtedly the traditional Irish stew. This hearty dish typically consists of tender chunks of meat (such as lamb or beef), potatoes, onions, carrots, and sometimes other vegetables like celery or parsnips.

What food is unique to Ireland? ›

By the 21st century, much traditional Irish cuisine was being revived. Representative dishes include Irish stew, bacon and cabbage, boxty, brown bread (as it is referred to in the South) or soda bread (predominantly used in Ulster), coddle, and colcannon.

What foods can you only get in Ireland? ›

15 uniquely Irish foods you simply need to try
  • Crisp sandwiches. An undisputed Irish food gem — slabs of white bread, lashings of butter and crisps. ...
  • Boxty. Are you familiar with potato pancakes? ...
  • Spice bags. ...
  • Beans on toast. ...
  • Irish brown bread. ...
  • Black and white pudding. ...
  • Wexford strawberries. ...
  • Waterford blaas.
Feb 21, 2019

What did Irish peasants eat? ›

The pre Famine peasant diet abundant in simple fares such as potatoes, buttermilk, vegetables, milk and fish kept the rural poor of Ireland much healthier than their urban counterparts.

What is depression cake made of? ›

Depression cake
A modern chocolate depression-style cake.
Alternative namesMilkless Eggless Butterless Cake, Boiled Raisin Cake, War Cake
TypeCake
Place of originUnited States
Main ingredientsFlour, apples or pears, raisins or prunes, spices (cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg), nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pecans)

What are fairy cakes made of? ›

Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add 1/2 of the flour and 1/2 of the eggs; beat until smooth. Add remaining flour and eggs and beat until batter is light and fluffy. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full.

What does Irish people eat for dessert? ›

Whether you're having friends over after the parade or looking for a dessert to round out St. Patrick's Day dinner, reach for lightly spiced Irish apple cake or the traditional Irish fruitcake barmbrack. Or, go for a buttery, slightly sweet Irish soda bread, which also conveniently doubles as breakfast.

What is Ireland's most eaten food? ›

The traditional dinner of meat and two veg remains the most popular meal for Irish adults, with chicken dishes and sauce-based pasta finishing in second and third, the research into Ireland's eating habits published by Bord Bia suggests.

What famous food is Ireland known for? ›

By the 21st century, much traditional Irish cuisine was being revived. Representative dishes include Irish stew, bacon and cabbage, boxty, brown bread (as it is referred to in the South) or soda bread (predominantly used in Ulster), coddle, and colcannon.

What is the most iconic Irish dish? ›

Irish stew: This is the dish Irish people are most likely to roll out for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Hearty chunks of lamb are slow-cooked in a rich gravy with onion, potatoes, carrot and parsley. Coddle is a traditional Dublin stew with sausages, onion, potato and bacon – or rashers as they're known locally.

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