Something For The Weekend. My Favorite Irish Desserts

Hi everyone. Greetings from Ireland. So the days at home continue as does the craze for baking! It seems everyone is swapping pictures of their attempts at bread and scone making. So this week there’ll be no recipes for bread and scones-it seems everyone has those covered! Instead, I’m sharing some of my favorite recipes for indulgent Irish desserts featuring some great Irish chefs. Get your aprons on!

My Top 5 Irish Desserts

1. No Pastry Pear & Almond Tart-Rachel Allen

So first up it’s a gorgeous pear tart that’s sure to impress! What I love about this recipe is that there is no need to make any pastry which is great for me as my talents definitely do not lie in that department! The recipe comes from the super talented Rachel Allen, one of Ireland’s best loved chefs.

2.  Baileys Irish Chocolate Cheesecake

This recipe featured in my favorite Irish recipes blog a few weeks ago and it was such a big hit I thought it was worth publishing again for those who missed it. I warn you -a little goes a long way!

Ingredients:

For the base:

• 2 cups Oreo cookie crumbs (use whole cookies with filling)
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For cheesecake filling:

• 3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese-softened
• 1⅓ cups sugar
• ¼ cup corn-starch
• 3 eggs
• 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• ½ cup Bailey’s Irish cream

For Chocolate ganache:

• 1¼ cup heavy cream
• 12 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate-chopped

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together Oreo crumbs and melted butter, press the mixture into 9” spring form pan and bake for 8-10 minutes, set aside to cool.
3. Once the crust is cooled, wrap pan with two layers of aluminium foil and bring the foil up the sides of the pan and make sure it is tight and secure so no water gets in during the baking process!!!!
4. With electric mixer, mix cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until smooth.
5. Add corn-starch and continue to mix until fully incorporated, decrease the speed to low and add eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and Baileys.
6. Pour batter into prepared pan and place in a roasting pan, fill roasting pan about a quarter of the way with hot water and bake at 350 degrees for 55-65 minutes, rotating once halfway through (until the cheesecake is set around the edges and slightly loose in the center)
7. Remove spring form pan from the water bath and set on a cooling rack to cool, then remove aluminium foil and refrigerate (at least 5 hour or overnight). When it’s completely cooled run a thin knife around the edge and take of the ring of spring form pan.
8. Over double boiler melt chopped chocolate until completely smooth and has no lumps, then stir in heavy whipping cream(from the fridge). It should be very thick and creamy so you could spread it on top the cake but also on sides without dripping. Use just ⅔ of the ganache and set the cake in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to harden the ganache. Take the cake from the freezer and reheat the rest of the ganache but this time it should be smooth (but not too thin) so you can pour it over the cake to make the smooth and shiny surface.
9. To keep the shine of the ganache let it cool at room temperature then store the cake in the fridge.

3. Banana Bread – Donal Skehan

Ok so this is another sweet treat that’s taking Ireland by storm during lockdown! Donal Skehan’s recipe is a real winner and includes yummy chocolate chips! It is based on an original recipe by his Auntie Ann.

4. Irish Apple Cake – Myrtle Allen

So number 4 on our list of Irish desserts comes from the late great Myrtle Allen, award winning Irish Michelin starred chef and founder of the renowned Ballymaloe House and cookery school in County Cork. This recipe for Irish apple cake is the ultimate comfort food. Simply delicious!

5. Irish Coffee by The Irish Store!

Ok so this is not strictly a dessert but for me, it’s the perfect way to finish any Irish feast! In our little video, we give you the option of using either traditional Irish whiskey or a variation using creamy Baileys! Take your pick!

Well, I think that’s plenty to keep all those sweet tooths satisfied for the weekend. If you love Irish food treats and want to have traditional Irish gourmet food sent directly to your door, check out our amazing collection of Irish food hampers.

See you all on Monday for more travels on the Virtual Tour of Ireland!

Take care of yourselves and each other,

Slán go fóill!

Lulu