Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes With Whiskey and Baileys

The only way a good stout beer, whiskey, and Irish cream liquor could be better is if they were mixed together - a la an Irish Car Bomb. Better still though, would be mixing it all up with some chocolate in the form of rich Guinness chocolate cupcakes, filled with Jameson chocolate ganache, and topped with Bailys buttercream frosting.

Variations on this recipe can be found on loads of amazing food blogs like Smitten Kitchen, the Busty Baker, and others!

Note: These do contain some booze that isn't cooked off, so please be careful (no heavy machinery, etc.) and keep them away from the youngsters.

Also Note: "Irish Car Bomb" is a pretty horrible thing to call a drink or a cupcake. You could also call them "Car Bombs" but that's not much better really - Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes with Whiskey Ganache filling and Irish Cream Frosting works, but it's a bit long.

Step 1: You'll Need. . .

Hardware:

• Bowls (you'll need at least 3, or you can wash one between each portion of preparation)
• Spatula
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Piping bag (you can also use plastic bags for this - you'll need 2)
• Muffin tin
• Cupcake papers
• A melon baller or small spoon

Software:

For the Cupcakes

• 1/2 cup Guinness (or other stout)
• 1/2 cup butter (melted)
• 3/8 cup (aka 1/4 and 1/8 cups) cocoa powder
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 3/8 cup (aka 1/4 and 1/8 cups) cup sour cream

For the Gnache

• 3 1/2 oz bittersweet chocolate
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon Jameson whiskey (or other whiskey)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Frosting

• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
• 2 tablespoons Baileys (or other Irish cream liquor)

Step 2: Making Cupcakes!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F)
2. Melt the butter (on the stovetop or in the microwave)
3. Add Guinness and cocoa powder and stir to combine well
4. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda
5. Stir in egg and sour cream
6. Add chocolate mixture and stir well
7. Place cupcake papers in the muffin tin
8. Spoon the mixture into the tin to fill about 3/4 full (you'll have enough for 12 cupcakes)
9. Bake for 17 minutes
10. Remove from oven and allow to cool fully

Step 3: Making Gnache!

1. Gently heat cream on the stovetop or in the microwave
2. Add chocolate and let sit for a few moments
3. Stir gently until chocolate is melted and combined with the cream
4. Mix in butter, vanilla, and Jameson
5. Allow to cool until thick (semi-solid)
6. Spoon into a pastry bag or plastic bag

Step 4: Making Icing!

1. Pour all ingredients into a bowl
2. Using a spatula (or electric mixer, if you're into that kind of thing) mix until very well combined
3. Spoon into a pastry bag or plastic bag and chill until ready to use

Step 5: Some Assembly Required

1. After the cupcakes have cooled, use a small spoon or melon baller to scoop out the centers
2. Pipe in ganache to fill (but try not to have them overflowing
3. Pipe icing onto the top - it's very sweet so you will probably not want a ton on each one
4. Snarf down one or two, but try to share and avoid a cupcake hangover!

Comments

[DragosS]

These cupcakes would goo so well long a non alcoholic cocktail served from one of these cool things : http://www.thebeergiraffe.com/en/what-is-a-beer-tower/

[AmberMorris]

This looks out of this world. To bad I cannot cook

[njreyn]

Irish Cupcake Bombs? XD

[katia.greene.9]

I made this about 3 years ago and people BEG me every year to make them again. Might be time to bring it back...

[namesrtaken]

About how many would this make, a dozen?  :) They look exquisite!

[shesparticular]

The recipe will make a dozen large cupcakes, or a whole lot more mini ones (at least 24, last time I made small ones I ended up with 32 of them). I personally prefer the smaller ones since the flavors can all be enjoyed together that way.

[PhiCraftyCrafty]

If you make mini cupcakes, what would your guesstimation be on the amount of alcohol in each? Like comparable to a shot or much less or much more?

[shesparticular]

Because the alcohol in the beer almost entirely cooks off, I would say that the amount in a mini cupcake would be minimal (roughly 2 1/2 tablespoons in 24 cupcakes doesn't come out to much).

[DesignerUserName]

A dozen large or 2 dozen-ish mini. To say nothing about the regular sized tin. It's my preferred size, or is that what is meant by "large"? OR! Is size just relative? :P

[shesparticular]

I use "large" to describe what is actually a "regular"-sized cupcake - sorry about the confusion!

[DesignerUserName]

Thanks darlin. Just checkin :) I use "Jumbo" muffin tins to make breakfast muffins on the regular.

[namesrtaken]

Thank you so much, dear. :) I'm very much looking forward to these!

[rmatthew]

I made these, they are sooo good! I love the density and moistness of just the cupcake. And the chocolate and Guinness balance is just right! I used brandy instead of whiskey for the ganache because that's what I had on hand, and I had some swiss meringue buttercream on hand, so I mixed Irish cream into that(1 oz Irish cream per pound of buttercream).

[shesparticular]

Sounds great!

[Random123Me]

This is mine. What would you suggest to make the frosting creamier? Add more Baileys?

[shesparticular]

Either more Baileys or a splash of cream should help.

[Random123Me]

Thank you, It did!

[PaganRaven]

This is a great recipe! My daughter has made these for St. Patty's tomorrow and they're definitely yummy! Sooo good! =drools=

[shesparticular]

:)

[garnishrecipes]

Ooh. There is a stand at my local farmer's market here in the bay that sells Guiness cupcakes. My husband will be so happy when he hears we can try these at home. Will let you know how they go :) Thank you for posting this recipe!