[Angulique]

Hey, guys! Sorry I've been AFK - real life has been INSANE! I miss you all so very much!!! Once my work settles down I'll try to get a card and come back! *hugs everyone*

Since it's St. Patty's Day I'm making epic noms that I had to share with my food-loving pirates!


Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes

TIME/SERVINGS

Total: 50 mins

Active: 25 mins

Makes: 24 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

1 (12-ounce) bottle Guinness stout
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa, plus more for garnish
2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

For the frosting:
A half to a full shot of Bailey's Irish Creme
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 pound confectioners’ sugar
Cocoa powder, for dusting

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the Guinness, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Mix in the sour cream.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cocoa, sugar, flour, and baking soda. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet Guinness mixture.
Butter 24 muffin tins and divide the batter among the muffin tins.
Bake 25 minutes, until risen and set in the middle but still soft and tender. Cool before turning out of the tins.

Make the frosting:
Beat the cream cheese in a bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the heavy cream. Slowly mix in the confectioners’ sugar. Add Bailey's to taste.

Top each cupcake with a heap of frosting and dust with cocoa.

Enjoy, mates!

(I'm also making fluffy shamrock sugar cookies with Bailey's icing ^_^)