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Baileys Irish Cream and Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate Recipe

Get ready to cozy up with the ultimate winter treat: Baileys Irish Cream and Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate! Picture this: a mug of rich, creamy hot chocolate infused with the smooth, delightful notes of Baileys Irish Cream, and then, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, we throw in some irresistible peanut butter cup magic. Yep, it’s like a warm, liquid dessert in a cup!

Hot chocolate in clear mug topped with whipped cream and chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

If you like Baileys Original Irish Cream and Peanut Butter cup recipes, you should try our milkshake and our latte!

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WHAT IS BAILEYS IRISH CREAM?

Baileys Irish Cream is a popular liqueur that originates from Ireland. It’s known for its creamy and smooth texture, along with its distinct flavor profile that combines rich Irish whiskey with dairy cream and various flavorings. Some of the key characteristics of Bailey’s Irish Cream include:

IRISH WHISKEY

Bailey’s is made with Irish whiskey, which gives it a mild alcoholic kick and contributes to its overall flavor. The whiskey used in Baileys is typically sourced from various distilleries in Ireland.

CREAM

Dairy cream is a fundamental ingredient in Baileys, giving it a luxurious and velvety texture. The cream is carefully blended with the whiskey to create a harmonious balance.

FLAVORINGS

Baileys also contains additional flavorings, which may include cocoa, vanilla, and other ingredients to enhance its taste and aroma. These flavorings complement the whiskey and cream, resulting in a delightful and complex flavor profile.

SWEETNESS

Baileys has a sweet and dessert-like quality due to the addition of sugar. This sweetness, combined with the creaminess and whiskey, makes it a popular choice for cocktails and desserts.

Bailey’s Irish Cream is often enjoyed on its own, over ice, or in a variety of cocktails and mixed drinks. It’s a versatile liqueur that can be used to add a creamy and indulgent touch to coffee, hot chocolate, and dessert recipes. Additionally, it has inspired numerous creative cocktails and recipes, including this Baileys Irish Cream and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake.

INGREDIENTS

Bailey's Irish Cream, Semisweet chocolate and milk - ingredients for Bailey's Irish Cream Hot Chocolate.
  • Milk – You can use creamy milk (like whole milk), or any plant-based milk you prefer like almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk.
  • Baileys Irish Cream
  • Semi-sweet Baking Chocolate
  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
  • Whipped Cream

Optional Ingredients:

  • Peanut Butter Cups
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Chocolate flakes / shaved chocolate
  • Marshmallows

See recipe card for quantities.

INSTRUCTIONS

Saucepan on the gas stove. Step 1 of making Baileys PB Cup hot chocolate is melting the ingredients on the stove.

Step 1: In a small saucepan, heat the milk, Baileys and semi-sweet chocolate on the stove over medium heat. Stir well until all chocolate is melted. Do not boil.

Sliced peanut butter cups on a mug of Bailey's hot chocolate and whipped cream

Step 2: Pour into a mug and top with whipped cream, chopped peanut butter cups and and any other additional toppings.

VARIATIONS

USE CHOCOLATE MILK

Make this extra chocolatey by substituting chocolate milk for the regular milk.

ADD MORE GARNISH

Add a drizzle of chocolate sauce or caramel sauce or chocolate shavings to really take this to the next level.

USE INSTANT HOT COCOA

In a rush? Omit the baker’s chocolate and combine warm milk and instant hot cocoa powder mix to create the hot chocolate. Stir in your Baileys Irish Cream and add your toppings.

STORAGE

We recommend drinking these as you make them. 

Hot chocolate in clear mug topped with whipped cream and chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make this hot chocolate without alcohol?

Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic version of this hot chocolate by omitting the Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur. 

Can I use a different type of alcohol instead of Bailey’s?

While Bailey’s Irish Cream is the traditional choice for this recipe, you can experiment with other coffee liqueurs, such as Kahlua or an Irish whiskey of your choice. You could also try peppermint schnapps. Keep in mind that using a different liqueur may change the flavor a bit.

What if I don’t have Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups?

If you don’t have Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, you can substitute them with any other peanut butter and chocolate candy or chocolate chips. The goal is to incorporate that delicious peanut butter and chocolate flavor into the hot chocolate.

Can I make a dairy-free or vegan version of this hot chocolate?

Yes, you can make a dairy-free or vegan version of this hot chocolate by using non-dairy baking chocolate, a plant-based milk (like almond milk or oat milk), and a dairy-free whipped cream alternative. You will also need to omit the Baileys, as it has dairy in it.

Can I make this in the crock pot or slow cooker?

Absolutely! We recommend starting with a quadruple batch (or larger) to make this in your crockpot. It’s perfect for parties! Add your milk, chocolate and Bailey’s to your crockpot and heat on high heat until all chocolate is melted. Stir a few times throughout the first 30 minutes. Once chocolate is melted, keep it on warm or low and serve as you go. We recommend having people ladle the hot chocolate into their cups and then have them top them add their own garnish. For an extra bit of fun, use candy canes as stirrers.

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📖 Recipe

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Hot chocolate in clear mug topped with whipped cream and chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Baileys Irish Cream and Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate Recipe

Get ready to cozy up with the ultimate winter treat: Baileys Irish Cream and Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate! Picture this: a mug of rich, creamy hot chocolate infused with the smooth, delightful notes of Baileys Irish Cream, and then, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, we throw in some irresistible peanut butter cup magic. Yep, it’s like a warm, liquid dessert in a cup!

  • Total Time: 10 min
  • Yield: 2 cups 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups milk
  • 4 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 2 tbsp Baileys Irish Cream
  • Whipped cream
  • Chopped peanut butter cups for garnish

ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

  • Chocolate Sauce
  • Caramel Sauce
  • Chocolate sprinkles or shavings
  • Marshmallows

    Instructions

    1. In a small saucepan, heat the milk, chopped chocolate and Baileys. Stir until the chocolate is melted.
    2. Pour the hot chocolate into mugs.
    3. Top with whipped cream and garnish with chopped peanut butter cups and additional optional toppings.
    4. Enjoy!

    Notes

    USE CHOCOLATE MILK

    Make this extra chocolatey by substituting chocolate milk for the regular milk.

    USE INSTANT HOT COCOA

    In a rush? Omit the baker’s chocolate and combine warm milk and instant hot cocoa powder mix to create the hot chocolate. Stir in your Baileys Irish Cream and add your toppings.

    MAKE A DAIRY-FREE VERSION

    You can make a dairy-free or vegan version of this hot chocolate by using non-dairy baking chocolate, a plant-based milk (like almond milk or oat milk), and a dairy-free whipped cream alternative. You will also need to omit the Baileys, as it has dairy in it. You could try an alternative like Peppermint Schnapps.

    • Author: Anna Luther
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 5 min

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