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Decadent Irish Coffee Cake topped with white chocolate buttercream and grated chocolate.

The Best Irish Coffee Cake Recipe

Indulge in a rich and flavorful Irish Coffee Cake recipe infused with espresso, Baileys, and topped with white chocolate buttercream. This cake delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and coffee, making it a perfect treat for any occasion.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Irish
Servings 12 slices

Ingredients
  

For Irish Coffee Cake

  • 400 g Salted Butter room temperature
  • 400 g Caster Sugar
  • 400 g Self-Raising Flour
  • 8 Eggs
  • 5 tbsp Espresso Ground Coffee instant, mixed with 3 tbsp boiling water

For White Chocolate and Baileys Buttercream

  • 250 g Salted Butter room temperature
  • 500 g Icing Sugar
  • 250 g White Chocolate melted
  • 125 ml Baileys or alternative Irish cream liqueur

Instructions
 

  • ** Instructions for Coffee Cake
  • Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 160°C (140°C fan) or Gas 3.
  • Prepare Tins: Line two deep 20cm tins with parchment paper.
  • Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, for around 5 minutes.
  • Add Eggs and Flour: Add eggs two at a time, sifting a quarter of the flour into the mixture. Beat until fully combined, and repeat with the remaining eggs and flour.
  • Add Coffee: Mix the espresso coffee with boiling water and add it to the batter. Stir until fully combined.
  • Bake: Divide the mixture between the two prepared tins. Bake for approximately 50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the tins for 5-10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • ** Instructions for White Chocolate and Baileys Buttercream
  • Beat Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Melt Chocolate: Melt the white chocolate (using a microwave in 10-second intervals) and let it cool slightly for about 10 minutes.
  • Combine Chocolate and Buttercream: Gradually pour the melted chocolate into the butter mixture, beating constantly until fully incorporated.
  • Add Baileys: Slowly add the Baileys and continue to beat the mixture until smooth and creamy.
  • ** Assembly of the Cake
  • Level the Cakes: Trim the tops of the cakes if needed to create flat layers.
  • Add Buttercream: Smother the bottom layer with a generous amount of buttercream.
  • Top and Finish: Place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire top with buttercream. Use a palette knife to create spiked patterns, and sprinkle with grated chocolate to garnish.
  • Enjoy your indulgent Irish Coffee Cake!