happy hump st. patty's day

A bunch of us in the office were ready to order some cupcakes from Trophy for St. Patrick's day delivery, but I decided we'd save our money (for beers) and I'd make my own Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes with Baileys Buttercream frosting.

I researched a bunch of recipes online and chose this cupcake one from Chow.com and the frosting from Smitten Kitchen.  While Smitten Kitchen had a cupcake recipe of their own, I read a good review about Dave Lieberman's recipe so I thought I'd give him a try.

Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes

adapted from Dave Lieberman at Chow.com

1 (12-ounce) bottle Guinness stout, at room temperature
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sour cream
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Preheat the oven to 350°F.   Butter or line 24 cupcake tins.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the Guinness, milk, butter, 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.
Divide the batter among the muffin tins.
Bake 15-20 minutes, until risen and set in the middle but still soft and tender. Cool before turning out of the tins.


Baileys Buttercream Frosting 
adapted from Smitten Kitchen

3 - 4 cups confections sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

3 - 4 tablespoons Baileys (a mini bottle of Baileys from the liquor store is the perfect amount)

Whip the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, for several minutes. You want to get it very light and fluffy. Slowly add the powdered sugar, a few tablespoons at a time.

When the frosting looks thick enough to spread, drizzle in the Baileys and whip it until combined. If this has made the frosting too thin (it shouldn’t, but just in case) beat in another spoonful or two of powdered sugar.

(I was feeling a bit lazy and after all the dog drama for the day I didn't take good pictures, so these are from my iphone)