Lucky Leprechaun Cupcakes with Baileys Irish Cream Frosting

Lucky Leprechaun st patricks day cupcakes Baileys Frosting

By Lucas BennettSeptember 18, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction: Lucky Leprechaun Cupcakes with Bailey's Irish Cream Frosting

Fancy baking up a bit of Irish magic? Ever thought about making st patricks day cupcakes ? Well, these Lucky Leprechaun Cupcakes are just the ticket, packed with flavor and ready to bring some luck to your taste buds.

The combo of Irish whiskey and Bailey's is unreal.

These delightful cupcakes draw inspiration from Ireland. They are perfect to eat on St. Patrick's Day. Don't worry, they are not too difficult.

All it takes is a bit of time. This recipe makes 12 shamrock cupcakes .

What Makes These Cupcakes Special?

Okay, right then, let's have a go at getting you sorted with some proper baking, shall we? Taking inspiration from the Emerald Isle and all things st patricks day dessert .

These cupcakes aren’t just about looking festive; they also bring a smile with every bite. The touch of irish whiskey cupcakes in the sponge and that baileys irish cream frosting ? Honestly, it’s heavenly.

Plus, they’re ideal for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

Brief Overview of the Magic

These aren't just any green dyed cakes, I swear. These cupcakes bring the magic of Ireland to your kitchen. They are vanilla flavored with a hint of Irish whiskey.

Then the best part is Bailey's Irish Cream buttercream frosting! Top it off with some green and gold sprinkles . Who doesn't love a little bling? It is of medium difficulty and it takes only an hour.

And the final result? 12 perfect cupcakes.

Why You'll Love These Cupcakes

Honestly, the baileys irish cream frosting is the star. But, there's more! A little Irish whiskey adds some warmth, you know? These are not just for St.

Patrick's Day. They are good for any celebration when you fancy something special. They have a unique flavour, so they're perfect for serving on a rainy day, or at the end of a nice dinner.

These irish cream cupcakes will make you smile.

Let's have a look at the ingredients, shall we?

Ingredients & Equipment for Lucky Leprechaun Cupcakes

Okay, right then, let's have a go at getting you sorted with some proper ingredients and essential tools for the best St Patricks Day cupcakes , shall we? We want to aim for that authentic Irish feel, taking inspiration from the Emerald Isle and all things St Patricks Day baking .

Main Ingredients

Let's start with what you'll need. I've laid it all out here for you. Don't worry, I've made it easy.

For the cupcakes:

Flour: 1 1/2 cups ( 192g ) all-purpose, plus more for dusting. Quality all-purpose flour, fresh from the box, is perfect!
Baking powder: 1 1/2 teaspoons
Baking soda: 1/4 teaspoon
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
Butter: 1/2 cup ( 1 stick, 113g ) unsalted, softened. Make sure your butter is properly softened. Otherwise, you'll end up with lumpy batter.
Granulated sugar: 3/4 cup ( 150g )
Eggs: 2 large
Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
Irish whiskey: 1 tablespoon (optional). Honestly, a splash of Irish whiskey adds a fantastic depth. I learned this from me Granny!
Buttermilk: 3/4 cup ( 177ml ). I usually just use milk and a little lemon juice.
Green food coloring: (gel preferred). Green food coloring cupcakes are an absolute must.

For the Bailey's Irish Cream Frosting:

Butter: 1 cup ( 2 sticks, 226g ) unsalted, softened.
Confectioners' sugar: 3 cups ( 360g ), sifted. I can't stress this enough: sift your sugar! Trust me.
Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur: 1/4 cup ( 60ml ). Don't be shy with the Bailey's! Baileys irish cream frosting makes all the difference
Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
Milk: 1-2 tablespoons (if needed). Just a little to adjust the consistency.
Green and gold sprinkles: (for decoration). Green and gold sprinkles are quintessential.

Seasoning Notes

Essential spice combinations are not as critical for vanilla cupcakes with irish cream. But the Bailey's and vanilla are key to the frosting.

You can use a bit of almond extract instead of vanilla for a subtle, extra kick. If you want that touch of luck with a shamrock cupcakes , go for it.

Equipment Needed

You don't need fancy stuff.

Muffin tin (12-cup)
Paper liners
Electric mixer (stand or hand held). A hand mixer will work just fine.
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Wire rack
Piping bag and tips (optional)

That's it! We will soon get baking irish cream cupcakes ! Now, let's get those ovens preheated!

Lucky Leprechaun Cupcakes: St Patricks Day Baking Sorted!

Okay, right then, let's have a go at getting you sorted with some proper St Patricks Day Cupcakes , shall we? Honestly, these Lucky Leprechaun Cupcakes are not just any old cupcake recipe.

We are talking about real vanilla cupcakes with irish cream think Irish charm in every single bite. I've made these for countless St Patricks Day dessert gatherings, and they’re always a hit, always!

Taking inspiration from the Emerald Isle, these irish cream cupcakes come with baileys irish cream frosting. And a touch of green and gold sprinkles to make them extra festive.

I once tried to make these with my nephew, and let's just say, the green food coloring cupcakes situation got a little out of hand.

But hey, that's part of the fun, isn't it?

Prep Like a Pro, Bake Like a Boss

Essential mise en place : Get everything measured out before you start. Trust me, it saves a world of stress. Softened butter, sifted sugar, all that jazz.
Time saving organization tips : Line your muffin tin with paper liners before you even turn on the oven. Small wins, my friend, small wins.
Safety reminders : Don't be a hero. Always use oven mitts. Hot trays bite!

Let's Get Baking: step-by-step

Preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) . This is your starting point to a happy bake. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
Whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour , 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder , 1/4 teaspoon baking soda , and 1/2 teaspoon salt . Dry ingredients done!
Cream together 1/2 cup softened butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3- 5 minutes .
Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon Irish whiskey . If you fancy being a leprechaun cupcakes fan or something like that.
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and 3/4 cup buttermilk , mixing until just combined. Don't overmix!
Stir in green food coloring until you get that perfect, festive shade.
Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full.
Bake for 18- 22 minutes . A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

Pro Tips for Cupcake Greatness

Don't overmix the batter! It will result in tough cupcakes. Nobody wants that.
Let those cupcakes cool completely before frosting. Melted frosting is not a good look.
If you want to go extra fancy, add a touch of Guinness to the cupcake batter for that proper irish whiskey cupcakes experience.

So there you have it! Lucky Shamrock cupcakes ready to bring a little bit of Irish charm to your table. Hope you loved St Patricks Day baking !

Recipe Notes for Your St Patricks Day Cupcakes

Okay, right then, let's have a go at getting you sorted with some proper St Patricks Day baking , shall we? Honestly, baking these Lucky Leprechaun St Patricks Day Cupcakes was a blast.

I tweaked the original recipe a bit. I hope you will enjoy them too.

Serving Suggestions Fit for a Leprechaun

Presentation is key, you know? Think about a swirl of that gorgeous baileys irish cream frosting , a generous shower of green and gold sprinkles , and maybe even a little edible gold dust if you're feeling fancy.

Honestly, if you have shamrock shaped sprinkles, it would be great to use for the shamrock cupcakes .

These st patricks day cupcakes are perfect with a strong Irish coffee, of course. Or, if you're not into coffee, maybe a chilled glass of milk or even some mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Storage Tips to Keep the Magic Alive

These irish cream cupcakes are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two.

For longer storage, pop them in the fridge. They'll keep for up to 5 days.

If you want to freeze them, freeze them unfrosted. Wrap them individually in cling film, then store them in a freezer bag.

They'll last for up to 2 months. When you're ready to eat them, let them thaw completely at room temperature before frosting.

Reheating? Not really necessary. These leprechaun cupcakes are yummy cold!

Variations: A Little Something for Everyone

Want to get creative? You can easily swap out the vanilla extract for mint extract. Or, for irish whiskey cupcakes , add a splash of Guinness to the batter.

It will add a lovely depth of flavor.

For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and almond milk. I've even seen recipes for gluten-free St Patricks Day desserts using almond flour. You know?, anything is possible these days.

Nutrition Basics.

These vanilla cupcakes with irish cream are a treat, so maybe not an everyday thing. They're packed with about 350 calories each.

It will give you a boost. They also have a good bit of sugar (around 30g) and some fat (18g), so enjoy in moderation.

They are a great option for a st patricks day dessert .

So, there you have it! All the recipe notes you need to bake up a batch of these Lucky Leprechaun Cupcakes.

Now, go on and get baking, they will be st patricks day cupcakes you ever taste!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these St Patricks Day cupcakes ahead of time?

You sure can! Bake the cupcakes and let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also make the Bailey's Irish Cream frosting ahead and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Just bring it to room temperature and re-whip it before frosting your cupcakes. Think of it like prepping for a good old Sunday roast get as much done in advance as possible!

How do I get that perfect green color for my St Patricks Day cupcakes without it looking artificial?

Gel food coloring is your best bet! It's much more concentrated than liquid food coloring, so you'll need less to achieve a vibrant green without watering down your batter or frosting. Start with a small amount and gradually add more until you reach your desired shade.

Remember, a little goes a long way, like a good pint of Guinness!

I'm not a big fan of alcohol. Can I still make these Lucky Leprechaun Cupcakes with Bailey's Irish Cream Frosting?

Absolutely! You can easily omit the Irish whiskey from the cupcake batter and substitute the Bailey's Irish Cream in the frosting with a non-alcoholic Irish cream flavoring or a coffee liqueur. Alternatively, just leave it out entirely and add a bit more milk to the frosting to achieve the right consistency.

It's like having a builder's tea you can always adjust it to your liking!

How should I store these St Patricks Day cupcakes to keep them fresh?

Once frosted, store the cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help keep the frosting from melting and the cupcakes from drying out. They'll stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Before serving, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften the frosting a bit.

Think of it as giving them a chance to shine before the big parade!

Can I freeze these St Patricks Day cupcakes?

Yes, you can! For best results, freeze the unfrosted cupcakes. Wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When ready to serve, thaw them at room temperature, then frost and decorate.

It's like putting away Christmas decorations you want to make sure they're well protected for next year!