Baileys Doughnuts (Chocolate Dipped)

These homemade Baileys Doughnuts are soft and baked in the oven! They're made without yeast and dipped in a chocolate Irish Cream ganache.

Doughnuts are one of my favorite guilty pleasures and these Baileys Irish Cream Doughnuts are on top of the list. They're easy to make and completely irresistible.

I think my love for doughnuts started in childhood with my local hometown bakery. This place makes the best doughnuts and it's one of those places that never changes.

There's a Formica counter where old-timers sit and read the paper while sipping 25 cent cups of coffee while The Price Is Right plays on the TV. It looks the same today as it did when I walked in there at the age of 6.

One thing that has changed is that I am now gluten free and must bake my own doughnuts at home, which is just fine if it means I can enjoy treats like these Baileys Doughnuts.

They're prepared with a batter made with buttermilk and Baileys Irish Cream. The doughnuts are baked in a doughnut pan and then dipped in a rich chocolate ganache made with Irish Cream.

These doughnuts are perfect served right out of the oven with a cup of coffee.

Jump to:

• Are Baked Doughnuts Better Than Fried?
• Ingredients For Baileys Doughnuts
• How To Make Doughnut Batter
• How To Pipe Doughnut Batter Into Pan
• How To Make Baked Doughnuts
• How Long Do Doughnuts Take To Bake?
• How To Make Chocolate Ganache
• Dip The Doughnuts Into The Ganache
• How Long Do Baked Doughnuts Last?
• Can These Doughnuts Be Frozen?
• Baileys Doughnuts (Chocolate Dipped)

Are Baked Doughnuts Better Than Fried?

I always thought doughnuts were a complicated affair but I was wrong. Doughnuts are incredibly easy to make and this is coming from the world's 'not greatest baker'.

Doughnuts are definitely fun to eat and I was happy to discover that they are also fun to make.

Many of the doughnuts that are available at bakeries and grocery stores are fried in oil. Doughnuts fried in oil have a crispy surface and a light, airy, and soft center.

Fried doughnuts are undoubtedly delicious in every way. The taste and texture of a doughnut fried in oil is unbeatable.

However, the process of frying doughnuts at home can be tedious and I don't know about you but the thought of scalding vats of oil on my stove top makes me a little nervous.

Baked doughnuts are slightly different in terms of texture as the edges do not become crispy as they bake but rather form a doughnut that is soft and pillowy.

I find baked doughnuts to be totally satisfying and MUCH easier to prepare than those that are fried. I don't know that they are better than fried, just different.

Ingredients For Baileys Doughnuts

Here's what you'll need to make them.

• 1 ½ cups Gluten Free Flour Blend (such as Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Flour)
• 1 ¼ tsp. Baking Powder
• ¼ tsp. Baking Soda
• ¼ tsp. Kosher Salt plus pinch of kosher salt for ganache
• ¼ tsp. Nutmeg
• 2 Eggs
• ½ cup Sugar
• ¼ cup Buttermilk
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• ½ cup Baileys Irish Cream (split)
• 4 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter (split)
• ½ cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
• Sprinkles (optional)

How To Make Doughnut Batter

The process of making doughnuts is much like that of any other baked goods.

The wet and dry ingredients are combined in separate bowls and then the dry ingredients are added to the wet and stirred just until combined.

The batter is then poured into a doughnut pan that has been generously greased and the doughnuts are baked in the oven until golden.

Once cooled, the doughnuts are dipped into a homemade chocolate ganache and garnished with sprinkles.

1. Start by heating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In one mixing bowl, add 1 ½ cups gluten free flour blend, 1 ¼ tsp. baking powder, ¼ tsp. baking soda, ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg, and ¼ tsp. kosher salt. Stir until completely combined.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, add 2 eggs and ½ cup sugar. Mix the eggs and sugar until combined. Next, add ¼ cup buttermilk, ¼ cup Baileys Irish Cream, and 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Stir the wet ingredients until completely combined.
4. Melt 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter in the microwave. Heat just until melted and slowly add to the wet ingredients, stirring until incorporated (the mixture may look a little curdled at this point).
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet a bit at a time and stir until completely combined.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

• For the best results, I recommend using a gluten free flour blend and not regular AP flour. I have not tested this recipe using AP flour and cannot guarantee the results.
• The batter will be semi-thick and sticky.
• If you do not have buttermilk, you can make your own by combining dairy milk and lemon juice or white vinegar. For this recipe, simply combine ¼ cup milk and ½ tsp. either lemon juice or white vinegar and stir until combined.
• Carolans or Michaels Irish Cream may be used in place of Baileys.

How To Pipe Doughnut Batter Into Pan

Once the batter is completely combined it's ready to pipe into the doughnut pan and bake.

I learned this trick a few years ago and it works great for piping all manner of baked goods but works especially well with doughnut batter because it's so sticky.

I don't actually own a piping bag, but a heavy-duty freezer bag does the trick.

If you own a piping bag, then by all means use that.

1. Simply open a plastic freezer bag and place it into a wide Mason jar or any jar with a large opening.
2. Pour the doughnut batter into the plastic bag, scraping it out of the bowl with a spatula.
3. Cut a hole in one of the corners of the plastic bag with a scissors. This will allow you to pipe the batter into the doughnut pan.

How To Make Baked Doughnuts

The tool that makes these doughnuts so easy is a doughnut pan. I don't get much into kitchen gadgets but this thing is really amazing. There's no rolling or cutting of dough and no need to fry in super hot oil.

Doughnut pans may be purchased at any superstore, specialty food stores, or online. They're inexpensive and a great tool to have on hand if you love to bake.

Before adding the batter to the pan, make sure to grease the doughnut cavities generously with cooking spray or butter. The doughnuts will stick if the pan is not greased.

I used avocado oil spray, but any cooking spray or butter will work just fine.

1. Generously grease the doughnut pan cavities with cooking spray or butter.
2. Carefully pipe an equal amount of batter into each of the doughnut cavities and continue until all the batter is used up.
3. Place the doughnut pan in the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Remove the pan from the oven when finished and allow the doughnuts to cool completely.

How Long Do Doughnuts Take To Bake?

The doughnuts should take between 12-14 minutes to bake. Baking times may vary slightly.

It's important not to overcook the doughnuts, or they may become tough.

The tops will get nice and golden as they bake. The doughnuts should feel 'springy' to the touch.

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How To Make Chocolate Ganache

Once the doughnuts are baked, they're dipped into an Irish Cream chocolate ganache. The ganache is decadent and complements the flavor of the doughnuts perfectly.

The ganache is super easy to make and can be prepared using a double boiler. If you don't have a double boiler, simply place a glass bowl over a sauce pan with water that has been heated to a low boil and make the ganache in the bowl.

1. To make the ganache, fill the bottom pan of a double boiler (or sauce pan) a quarter of the way full with water and bring the water to a low boil on the stove top.
2. Once the water has reached a low boil, place the top pan on the double boiler (or the glass bowl), add 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter and allow it to melt.
3. Add ½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips to the double boiler and allow to melt, stirring to combine with the butter.
4. Once the chocolate chips are melted, add ¼ cup of Baileys Irish Cream to the chocolate and stir until combined (the mixture will look chunky at first).
5. Add a generous pinch of kosher salt and continue to stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
6. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Dip The Doughnuts Into The Ganache

Once the doughnuts are cooled and the ganache ready, it's time to dip the doughnuts into the chocolate.

1. Remove the doughnuts from the pan and dip half of each doughnut into the chocolate ganache.
2. Place the doughnuts on a cooling rack over a piece of wax paper or parchment paper to catch the drips.
3. Allow the chocolate ganache to cool slightly so that it sets.
4. Garnish the doughnuts with sprinkles (make sure the brand of sprinkles used is gluten free). This step is optional.

It's important to remember that chocolate ganache does not harden, but it does set when cooled.

How Long Do Baked Doughnuts Last?

These Baileys Doughnuts should last 2-3 days stored in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature.

If storing for more than 2 days, transfer the doughnuts to an airtight container and store in the fridge.

Be sure to allow them to cool completely before transferring to a container for storage.

Keep in mind that doughnuts do become stale quickly and are best enjoyed right away or within a day or two.

Can These Doughnuts Be Frozen?

Yes, these doughnuts can be frozen.

How To Freeze

1. To freeze glazed doughnuts, arrange them on a cookie sheet and place it in the freezer for 3-4 hours.
2. Remove the frozen doughnuts and place them in a heavy-duty plastic freezer bag. Remove any air from the bag, label, and store in the freezer.

How To Thaw

1. Thaw the doughnuts by placing the bag in the fridge 24 hours before serving. Be sure not to thaw and then re-freeze doughnuts as this can cause bacteria to grow.
2. To thaw, transfer the doughnuts to the fridge 24 hours before serving. They may be heated in the stove or the microwave.

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If you love doughnuts check out these Baked Glazed Lemon Doughnuts!

Love chocolate desserts? Check out these recipes!

• Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
• Peppermint Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes
• Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies
• Chocolate Halloween Cookies
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow

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