Chocolate Stout Cupcakes

These cupcakes are rich and chocolaty, the Guinness stout enhancing its chocolate flavor.  The light and fluffy cream cheese frosting is similar to the top of a frothy beer.  Dust with cocoa or festive sprinkles and they are perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

 

 

 

Recipe

3/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa

2 cups sugar

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

pinch of salt

1 bottle Guinness Stout beer

1 stick butter, melted

1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract

3 large eggs

3/4 cup sour cream

1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, room temp

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 lb. box confectioners sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 24 muffin cups with liners or grease muffin tins.  Sift flour and cocoa into a large bowl, add and whisk together sugar,  baking soda and salt.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the stout, butter and vanilla.  Beat in eggs, 1 at a time.  Add sour cream and blend until thoroughly combined and smooth.  Add the dry ingredients and blend until incorporated.  Divide batter equally between muffin tins, filling each 3/4 full.  Bake for about 18 mins total, rotating pan halfway through baking, until they are set in the middle but still soft and tender.  For icing:  beat the cream cheese on med speed until light and fluffy, gradually beat in the heavy cream.  Add the confectioners sugar and beat until incorporated and smooth.  Pipe icing onto cupcakes and dust with cocoa powder or garnish with festive sprinkles.

 This recipe is a winner with rave reviews, and the original can be found here on the Food Network, by Dave Lieberman:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/dave-lieberman/chocolate-stout-cupcakes-recipe/index.html

Happy St. Patrick's Day!