Foodie Friday: Bailey's Irish Cream Cheesecake Trifle

Well, dear reader, one of my intentions for 2026 is to be more social. I am very hermit-like. My circle is small. I like home. I like to be alone. I have very few people I allow into my inner sanctum. Frankly, dear reader, people make me tired and often disappoint. However, after losing my Monica, I am committed to stepping out of my comfort zone, letting more people in, and being more social. 

This Monday, the 16th of March, I am hosting the very first Smiling Goat Literary Club. Because it is the day before St. Patrick's Day, I am having an Irish-themed meal. Guinness Beef Stew, Shepherd's Pie, colcannon, Irish soda bread, Guinness beer cheese dip, and Bailey's Irish Cream Cheesecake Trifle, with Irish coffee. This will be my first meeting, and I am looking forward to it.  

I thought about doing a traditional book club, but nobody seems very excited about being told what to read. Instead, we will have a monthly theme, choose our own books on that theme, get together once a month, eat, drink, and be literary...see what I did there? I kill me. We're also going to bring a book or two to exchange. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I have successfully bullied six of my friends into joining me. The verdict is still out on two of them. 

I am envisioning monthly meetings, book-themed field trips, t-shirts, and swag bags. Of course, I will probably make special products for some of the themes as well. I'm very excited in my own little nerdy way. I keep telling my friends I am a cool nerd, but they scoff and say, "Leave it at nerd. '" Sigh.

Today, I thought I would share with you the dessert recipe I am going to make for our first meeting. It has Oreos, cream cheese, and Bailey's Irish Cream, how could that go wrong? I'm thinking of making little individual cups, maybe jelly jars for a rustic farm theme, instead of one big trifle. However, I do have a lovely trifle dish thatI never use. I digress, either way, it will be a trifle with Oreos and Baileys. 

I found the recipe on The Girl Inspired website. She has some really cute and easy recipes along with entertaining tips. If you are looking for a simple Irish-themed dessert for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day, I gently encourage you to try this. 

Bailey's Irish Cream Cheesecake Trifle

Cheesecake Ingredients:

• 16 oz. cream cheese softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ cup Baileys Irish Cream

Whipped Cream Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
• 2 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Additional Ingredients:

          20 Oreo cookies

 

DIrections:

In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and sea salt together until combined.

Add ¼ cup Baileys and continue beating until smooth and fluffy.

In a separate mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of heavy whipping cream until it doubles in volume and begins to thicken.

Add in 2 tablespoons of Baileys, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar.

Beat until the mixture is nice and thick and stiff peaks form

Place Oreo cookies into a gallon-size plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin to form small crumbles.

Spoon the cheesecake mixture and whipped cream mixture each into a large piping bag.

Beginning with the cookie crumbs, layer cookie crumbs, cheesecake mixture, and whipped cream mixture into four lowball glasses. Repeat with a second layer of cookie crumbs and cheesecake mixture.

Put an open star piping tip (e.g., Tip #1M) on the whipped cream piping bag and pipe a swirl on the top of each glass.

Serve with a sprinkle of crushed cookies on top.

 

I don't know about you, but anything that combines Oreos and Bailey's Irish Cream is delightful in my book. Ha, I did it again! I hope you enjoy this as much as I will. On this seasonal Friday, stay safe, be smart, enjoy simple, delicious, themed food, and keep washing your hands.