Celebrate St. Patty's Day with Homemade Irish Cream! : Lifestyle

St. Patty’s Day is just a few days a way, and that means it’s time to bring on the Irish cream! Whether you like it straight up, mixed in a cocktail, or added to your morning cup of joe (we’re not judging), Irish cream is a delicious way – no it’s the RIGHT way - to celebrate the holiday. But instead of running out to the liquor store and buying a couple bottles of Bailey’s, why not save some money and really honor the day by making your very own homemade Irish cream!?

The standard “Bailey’s Homemade Recipe” is loaded with fat and sugar, and I’m not going to lie…it’s soooo good.  Here is the recipe if you want to go with the original version:

1 C. cream
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
1 & 2/3 c. Irish whiskey
1 tsp. instant coffee
2 Tbsp. chocolate syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract

Combine all the ingredients, mix well, and store in the fridge.

Sometimes it’s best just to go with the real deal, especially if it’s a once-in-a-while splurge. But if you really like Bailey’s (or drink it more than you should) and you’re looking to find a somewhat healthier alternative, here’s a lighter version to whip up. It’s may not be as sugary and rich as the original, but you really won’t miss it – especially when you consider that just 1.25 ounces of regular Bailey’s has 130 calories!

Lighter Bailey’s Irish Cream:

1 & 2/3 c. Irish whiskey
1/3 cup light cream
2/3  cup fat free milk
1 can evaporated fat free milk
1 T cocoa powder + 1 tsp instant coffee disolved in 2 T hot water
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract (optional)
2-3 packs of Stevia, to taste

This lighter version shaves hundreds of calories off the original without the addition of sweetened condensed milk and with only 1/3 cup of light cream.  A full can of sweetened condensed milk has almost 1,000 calories and 160 grams of sugar, whereas a can of evaporated fat free milk has about 350 calories and just 40 grams of sugar. This recipe also slashes hundreds of calories and fat by reducing the cream and adding fat free milk. You may need to add a few packets of Stevia or other sugar substitute, but it all depends on your preference! If it’s not thick enough, you can always add an extra splash of cream or condensed milk, but it’s really delicious this way too!

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