Irish Coffee Pie wakes you up with cozy coffee warmth and a soft, creamy bite. This no-fuss pie brings the flavor of an Irish coffee into a dessert you can share with the family. You’ll want this when you crave something rich, chocolatey, and lightly boozy (optional). If you enjoy simple, homey sweets, try it alongside other treats like fall chocolate clusters for a small dessert spread.
Why Make This Recipe
- Quick & easy: mostly mixing and chilling, no tricky steps.
- Family-friendly: make it with or without alcohol so everyone can enjoy it.
- Budget-friendly: uses pantry staples like cookies, cream, and instant coffee.
- Crowd-pleaser: coffee and chocolate together feel special and comforting.
This recipe stands out because it captures that warm coffee aroma and a hint of Irish spirit in a chilled, creamy pie. It gives comfort on a cool evening and a little satisfaction after a big family meal. The soft filling, slight coffee kick, and chocolate crunch hit familiar, nostalgic notes.
Ingredients
For the base:
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) chocolate cookie crumbs (about 1 package of chocolate wafers), finely crushed
- 6 tbsp (85 g) unsalted butter, melted
For the filling:
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tbsp instant espresso powder (or 2 tbsp very strong brewed coffee)
- 2 tbsp Irish whiskey or 2 tbsp Irish cream liqueur (optional; see notes below)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
For the topping:
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for dusting
Notes:
- If you avoid alcohol, replace whiskey with 2 tbsp extra strong coffee and 1 tsp vanilla.
- Use unsalted butter so you can control salt level.
How to Make Irish Coffee Pie
- Preheat and prep: If you want a firmer crust, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Otherwise, a no-bake fridge set works too. Lightly grease a 9-inch (23 cm) pie plate.
- Why this matters: warming the crust in the oven helps the butter set and gives a crisper base.
- Make the crust: Mix cookie crumbs and melted butter in a bowl until the crumbs hold together when pressed. Press the mix firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate. Chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes, or bake for 8–10 minutes for extra crunch.
- Tip: Press with the bottom of a flat glass for an even crust.
- Bloom the coffee: If using instant espresso, stir it into 1 tablespoon of hot water to dissolve. Let it cool slightly. This gives a stronger coffee flavor without lumps.
- Whip the cream: In a chilled bowl, beat 1 cup cold heavy cream to medium peaks. Set aside.
- Why: Whipping cold cream gives the light, airy texture that keeps the filling soft.
- Beat the cream cheese: In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, dissolved espresso, whiskey (or substitute), and vanilla. Mix until creamy.
- Fold and combine: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture in two batches. Stop when the filling is uniform and light. Overmixing can make it dense.
- Fill the crust: Spoon the filling into the chilled crust and smooth the top. Chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight to set.
- Add the topping: Just before serving, whip 1/2 cup heavy cream to soft peaks and spread on the pie. Dust with cocoa powder or sprinkle chocolate shavings.
Mini-tip: If the filling feels too thin after folding, chill it for 30 minutes; it will firm up. For thin sauces and fillings, check how to fix runny sauces for quick fixes like extra chilling or adding a small thickener.
How to Serve Irish Coffee Pie
- Slice and serve chilled on a dessert plate with extra chocolate shavings and a small drizzle of cold coffee syrup for shine.
- Pair with a hot cup of brewed coffee or decaf for a warm contrast, or offer a small glass of Irish cream for adults.
- For a party, cut into small squares and place on a tray with a garnish of mint leaves for a fresh scent and color.
How to Store Irish Coffee Pie
- In the fridge: Cover the pie with plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The crust will soften slightly but stay tasty.
- In the freezer: Wrap the pie tightly in plastic and foil and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
- Reheat: This pie is best cold. If you prefer a softer crust after chilling, let slices sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Tips to Make Irish Coffee Pie
- Use cold cream and a chilled bowl for best whipping results.
- Soften cream cheese to room temperature so the filling mixes smooth.
- Taste the filling before chilling to adjust coffee or sweetness.
- If you want extra coffee punch, fold in 1–2 tbsp of strong cold coffee.
- Chill long enough—setting time improves flavor and texture.
Variation
- Alcohol-free version: Skip the whiskey and add 2 tbsp extra strong coffee plus an extra 1/2 tsp vanilla. Kids can enjoy this safely.
- Gluten-free crust: Use gluten-free chocolate cookies or crushed nuts mixed with butter for a nutty base.
FAQs
Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Yes. Make the pie a day ahead and keep it in the fridge. The flavors meld and the texture firms up nicely. Just add the whipped topping right before serving for the freshest look.
Can I use instant coffee instead of brewed espresso?
Yes. Dissolve instant espresso powder in a tablespoon of hot water to bloom the flavor, then cool before adding. This gives a strong, smooth coffee taste without extra liquid.
How do I avoid a soggy crust?
Press crumbs tightly and chill the crust before adding the filling. Baking the crust 8–10 minutes at 350°F (175°C) creates a barrier and keeps it crisp longer.
Can I make individual servings?
Yes. Press crust into small ramekins and chill. Divide the filling among them and top individually—great for parties.
Conclusion
This Irish Coffee Pie is special because it brings warm coffee aroma, smooth creamy texture, and a little festive spirit into an easy, shareable dessert. It’s perfect for cozy family nights or when you want a simple, elegant finish to a meal. If you liked the coffee-chocolate pairing here, you might also enjoy the bright, chewy twists in the Delicious 7 Brew Coffee Iced Blondie Recipe – Lemon8. Please leave a comment and a star rating to tell me how yours turned out — and share on Pinterest or Facebook so friends can try it too. What twist did you try? Let us know below!
Print
Irish Coffee Pie
- Total Time: 200 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich, chocolatey dessert that captures the cozy warmth of Irish coffee, perfect for sharing with family.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) chocolate cookie crumbs
- 6 tbsp (85 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tbsp instant espresso powder (or 2 tbsp very strong brewed coffee)
- 2 tbsp Irish whiskey or Irish cream liqueur (optional)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) for a firmer crust, or prepare a no-bake version.
- Mix cookie crumbs and melted butter until combined and press into a greased 9-inch pie plate. Chill for 15–20 minutes or bake for 8–10 minutes.
- Dissolve instant espresso in 1 tbsp of hot water and let cool.
- In a chilled bowl, whip 1 cup of cold heavy cream to medium peaks; set aside.
- In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, dissolved espresso, whiskey (or substitute), and vanilla; mix until creamy.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until uniform.
- Spoon filling into the chilled crust and smooth the top. Chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, whip 1/2 cup heavy cream to soft peaks and spread on the pie, dust with cocoa or chocolate shavings.
Notes
For an alcohol-free version, substitute whiskey with extra strong coffee and additional vanilla. Chill long enough for best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Chilling/Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg