Saint Patty's Day is on its way!

Saint Patrick’s Day is coming, people! Do yourself a favor and steer clear of the green beer. Instead, impress your friends with chocolate and beer! That’s right. Chocolate. And beer. Trust me on this one. They’ll love you for it.

Don’t be afraid of this recipe. I’m not a stout beer drinker (much to my husband’s disappointment), but I’m a huge fan of these cupcakes. The addition of the beer to a chocolate cupcake adds just a touch of interest without being overbearing.

The added bonus here is that any stout lovers in your house (or in your circle of friends) get to drink the leftovers! It’s a cupcake AND a party!

And the cream cheese frosting? The perfect compliment to the dark, rich cake.

Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes
1 cup Guinness or other stout beer, room temperature
1 stick butter, melted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 eggs
3/4 cup sour cream (light works fine)
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine Guinness, melted butter, vanilla, eggs, sour cream, cocoa and sugars. Mix on low speed until combined. Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add to wet ingredients and mix until combined, stopping once to scrape down the bowl.

Line a muffin tin with paper liners and fill 2/3 full with batter.

Bake for 10-13 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool for five minutes in the tin, then remove to wire rack to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting. Makes 24 regular-sized cupcakes.

Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1/2 cup heavy cream (milk works, too)
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 pound powdered sugar

Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Mix in cream and vanilla. Incorporate powdered sugar one cup at a time until smooth. If necessary, adjust consistency by adding either more cream (to thin it out) or powdered sugar (to make it thicker).

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