Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Guinness beer
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick - room temperature)
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup sour cream or full fat Greek yogurt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with liners.

2. In a saucepan, heat Guinness and butter over medium heat until butter melts. Remove from heat and whisk in cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Let cool slightly.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk sour cream, eggs, and vanilla until combined.

4. Add the cooled Guinness mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until smooth.

5. Sift in flour, baking soda, and salt, folding gently until just combined (don’t overmix).

6. Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling about ⅔ full.

7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.

8. For the Irish Cream Cheese Frosting:
   8 oz cream cheese, softened
   ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
   2 cups powdered sugar
   3 tbsp Baileys Irish Cream (or heavy cream + vanilla extract)
   Pinch of salt

   Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
   Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until fluffy.
   Mix in Baileys and a pinch of salt, beating until well combined.
   Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes.