Gooey Butter Treat

This week brings St. Patrick's Day! I'm excited to share a tasty treat with you. These Bailey's Cheesecake Brownie Bites blend fudgy brownie bottoms with smooth Bailey's Irish Cream cheesecake and a silky chocolate topping. They're so tasty you won't stop at just one, I promise!

I brought these to a friend's house once and they vanished right away! Everyone loves how the different textures come together, and the single-serving size makes them easy to grab and enjoy.

Key Ingredients You'll Need

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Go for chocolate bars instead of chips for smoother melting
• Cream Cheese: Stick with full-fat for the creamiest results
• Bailey's Irish Cream: This gives the special flavor that makes these treats stand out
• Instant Espresso: Just a pinch makes the chocolate taste richer without adding coffee flavor
• Sour Cream: Brings a nice tang and softness to the cheesecake part
• Heavy Cream: This creates the velvety topping that makes everyone swoon

Step-by-Step Baking Guide

1. Mix Up Your Brownie Base: Gently melt butter and chocolate together on low heat. Don't rush or you'll burn it. While that's happening, mix your eggs and sugar, and combine all the dry stuff in another bowl.
2. Let Chocolate Mix Cool Down: Wait until your chocolate mixture isn't too hot before adding it to the eggs. If it's too hot, you'll end up with scrambled eggs and ruin your brownies.
3. Complete Your Brownie Mix: After adding the chocolate, gradually mix in the dry ingredients bit by bit. You want the mix thick but without lumps.
4. Cook The Brownie Bottoms: Put about 2 tablespoons of mix into each greased mini mold. Bake at 350°F for around 12 minutes until just done but still soft.
5. Whip Up The Cheesecake Part: Mix softened cream cheese with sour cream until fluffy, then add sugar, salt and vanilla. Mix in eggs one by one. Dissolve the espresso in warm water, then fold it in with the Bailey's and cinnamon.
6. Top Your Brownies: Turn down the oven to 325°F. Put about 2 tablespoons of cheesecake mix on each brownie base, filling almost to the top.
7. Bake With This Trick: Bake for 12 minutes, then switch off the oven but keep them inside with the door shut for another 10 minutes. This helps them set without cracking.
8. Cool Them Down Right: Let them cool on the counter first, then put them in the fridge for at least 4 hours. This makes them firm up and easier to pop out of the molds.
9. Create The Chocolate Topping: Warm up some heavy cream until it's steamy (not boiling), pour it over chopped chocolate, wait 10 minutes, then stir until it's shiny.
10. Put It All Together: Take out your chilled treats from their molds. Top each one with a half teaspoon of chocolate sauce and maybe some chocolate shavings if you're feeling fancy.

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I found out about these tips the hard way after making these for a Christmas party. I tried to take them out of the molds too soon and made a mess! Now I always make them a day early to be sure they turn out great.

Delightful Homemade Presents

These fancy little treats make wonderful gifts for family and friends. During holiday season, I put them in colorful mini cupcake papers inside small boxes with see-through lids so everyone can admire that glossy topping. For St. Patrick's Day, I wrap the boxes with green ribbons and add little shamrock tags. People always think I bought them from a bakery and can't believe I made them at home!

Easy Party Prep

Last-minute cooking before a party can be super stressful, but these treats solve that problem. I often make them up to three days before I need them, keeping them cold until about half an hour before serving. They actually taste better after sitting a day or two as the flavors blend together. I've even frozen them (without the chocolate topping) for up to a month, then left them in the fridge overnight to thaw before adding fresh topping.

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Tasty Variations For Any Time

Bailey's makes the classic version, but I've tried so many fun alternatives. In summer, swap in Malibu coconut rum and sprinkle with toasted coconut. For fall, try bourbon with a dash of cinnamon. During Christmas, peppermint schnapps topped with crushed candy canes works amazingly. Spring feels bright with limoncello and lemon zest. The brownie-cheesecake combo works great with almost any flavor you can dream up.

Making Large Batches

These little bites have been my go-to when feeding big groups. You can double or triple everything without changing anything except the amounts. When my sister got engaged, I made 120 of these using an assembly line method: baked all the brownie parts one day, added the cheesecake the next day, and finished with the topping on the morning of the party. With some planning, even making tons of these isn't too hard.

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Wrapping It All Up

These Bailey's Cheesecake Brownie Bites have become my favorite dessert for any special event. There's something truly wonderful about the combo of rich brownie, creamy cheesecake, and silky chocolate that gets everyone excited. The hint of Bailey's and coffee takes them from ordinary brownies to something really special that fits any celebration.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why is it important for the ingredients to be at room temperature?

When ingredients are at room temp, they mix together easier, which helps avoid overmixing and gives the best texture.

→ What causes the cake to dip in the middle?

A little dipping is expected, but too much can happen if you peek inside the oven too early.

→ How can I tell when it’s ready to come out of the oven?

Check for golden edges and a slightly wobbly center. Don’t bake too long or it won’t stay soft.

→ Is it possible to freeze this treat?

Absolutely! Freeze it whole or in pieces, and enjoy it within 2-3 months after thawing.

→ Where did Gooey Butter Cake come from?

It’s a happy accident from the 1930s in St. Louis, where a baker's mix-up led to this tasty creation.