These Classic Irish Desserts Are a Must on St. Patrick's Day

Irish cuisine may not be the most dessert-heavy one we can think of, but there are a few things it does really, really well. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Irish desserts — from traditional picks to more modern creations — for you to try your hand at this St. Patrick’s Day.

Whether you’re fueling up for a day of parties and parades, or just want to round out your filling St. Patrick's Day meal with something sweet this year, reach for lightly spiced Irish apple cake or the traditional Irish fruitcake barmbrack. Or, go for a buttery Irish soda bread, which also conveniently doubles as breakfast. And while St. Paddy’s day is obviously about way more than booze, we still love baking with some of our favorite spirits. If that sounds like your jam, you’ll definitely go for the decadent Baileys cheesecake, stout-infused chocolate layer cake or whiskey caramel cupcakes. Make sure to cap off your St. Patrick's Day dessert with a strong Irish coffee, as well.

No matter how you're spending St. Paddy's Day this year, make sure you’ve got at least one of these desserts up your sleeve — and be sure to pair with one of these party-perfect St. Patrick’s Day drinks or a festive green beer.

Use good Irish butter in these rich cookies to really take them over the top.

Get the Shortbread Squares recipe.

How could you not make Irish soda bread on St. Paddy's Day? Transform it into dessert by spreading sweet marmalade or jam on a slice!

Get the Soda Bread recipe.

RELATED: The 22 Best St. Patrick's Day Appetizers Your Whole Crowd Will Love

A splash of smooth and creamy dark beer — such as Guinness — adds complexity and depth of flavor to rich cake batter.

Get the Chocolate Whoopie Pies recipe.

You can never go wrong with a brioche bread pudding. Plus, you can totally swap in Irish whiskey instead of bourbon for the sauce.

Get the Brioche Bread Pudding with Bourbon-Butterscotch Sauce recipe.

RELATED: 20 Best Whiskey Brands That Won’t Break the Bank

This classic comfort dessert is also a staple in Ireland. Don't forget to serve it with ice cream!

Get the Perfect Apple Crumble recipe from Delish.

RELATED: 40 Apple Desserts That Are Delicious to the Core

This popular Irish dessert calls for tart apples baked into a tender, flavorful cake. Need we say more?

Get the Irish Apple Cake recipe from Delish.

We officially declare whiskey and coffee to be the king and queen of St. Patrick's Day. Sip on this boozy drink and you'll see why.

Get the Irish Coffee recipe from Delish.

RELATED: The 20 Best Coffee Recipes to Make at Home

This classic cream-based liqueur (hint: you can make your own!) makes for the perfect, decadent dessert base.

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Get the Baileys Cheesecake recipe from Delish.

Buttery shortbread is already a favorite Irish sweet, but these gild the lily with layers of gooey caramel and chocolate. Millionaire or not, we think everyone should get a taste of these scrumptious bars.

Get the Millionaire Shortbread recipe from Delish.

For those who like their Baileys desserts in bite-size form.

Get the Baileys Truffles recipe from Delish.

Top off your St. Patrick's Day with layers of chocolate cake, chocolate ganache and Baileys buttercream frosting.

Get the Guinness Chocolate Layer Cake recipe from Life, Love and Sugar.

No, it’s not traditional to add chocolate chips to Irish soda bread — but we’re not gonna complain about it.

Get the Chocolate Chip Irish Soda Bread recipe from A Cozy Kitchen.

Irish whiskey has sweeter flavor profile, making it a perfect addition to caramel-based desserts. It shows up twice in these delectable cupcakes: First in the whiskey caramel sauce, and second in the cake batter.

Get the Whiskey Caramel Cupcakes recipe from A Classic Twist.

Rich, malty stout beer and chocolate are a true match made in heaven, and this decadent layer cake is an ode to their love.

Get the Chocolate Stout Layer Cake recipe from Butter Be Ready.

Use day-old croissants to better soak up the rich Baileys butter sauce.

Get the Irish Bread Pudding with Bailey's Sauce recipe from Sugar, Spice and Glitter.

These classic, individually-portioned desserts take only five minutes to make, and they're the perfect thing to serve at your St. Paddy's Day party.

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Get the Irish Chocolate Pots de Crème recipe from The Café Sucre Farine.

When it comes to dessert, too much of a good thing is never bad. That means the more Guinness, the better.

Get the Guinness Cake recipe from Design Sponge.

Apple cake is delicious and all, but add a homemade custard sauce and you end up with a next-level dessert. It's like pouring melted ice cream over your dessert — and who wouldn't want that?

Get the Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce recipe from The Kitchen McCabe.

These rich brownies are topped with a fluffy Baileys buttercream frosting and Baileys-infused chocolate ganache. Double the Baileys = double the fun.

Get the Baileys Brownies recipe from Spend With Pennies.

RELATED: 25 Easy and Creative Chocolate Desserts That You Haven't Tried Yet

Irish potato candy traces its roots back to the late 19th or early 20th century in Philadelphia, where many believe it was invented by recent Irish immigrants. Typically made with coconut, cocoa powder and cream cheese, these stuffed treats are a nostalgic favorite among Philly natives to this day.

Get the Irish Potato Candies recipe from Simply Whisked.

One bite and you'll be in buttery, oat-y heaven. These may look like granola bars, but the chocolate and golden syrup (a sweet maple syrup substitute) make them a dessert in our book.

Get the Irish Oat Flapjacks recipe from Thirsty for Tea.

You've probably had Irish Cream liqueur (such as Baileys, for example), but did you ever consider adding it to your coffee cake? We highly recommend.

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Get the Irish Coffee Cake recipe from Donal Skehan.

This boozy cake — studded with dried fruit and candied citrus peel — gets better as it sits.

Get the Traditional Irish Porter Cake recipe from Frugal Feeding.

This soufflé-like pie naturally collapses after you take it out of the oven. Serve with whipped cream for best results.

Get the Orange Scented Whiskey Soufflé Pie recipe from The Hungry Rabbit.

RELATED: 35 Delicious Pie Recipes Anyone Can Make

Soaking dried fruit in whisky adds a bold flavor to this fruit cake loaf.

Get the Irish Barmbrack recipe from Donal Skehan.