Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes

I could never celebrate St Patrick’s Day without this heavenly Chocolate Guinness Cake recipe but this year I decided to make cupcakes instead. I’ve been making this recipe for years now and it’s definitely one I will bake for many more years to come. In our house this is in our top 10 list of favourite cakes and one my boys and I love eating! These dark cupcakes have a dense, moist sponge that oozes the flavour of the chocolate and subtle undertones resonating from the Guinness. The frothy topped pint of Guinness is replicated here with the creamy exuberance of cream cheese frosting. My hubby is taking some into the office today to share with his co-workers, that should keep them happy and fatter than me (yep I’m back on Weight Watchers, so none for me, boo hoo). Wishing everyone a Happy St Patrick’s Day!!

Happy St Patrick's Day!!

Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes

Makes 24

Ingredients
For the cupcakes
250ml Guinness
250g unsalted butter, cut into pieces
75g cocoa
400g caster sugar
142ml sour cream
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
275g plain flour
2 ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

For the topping
300g Philadelphia cream cheese
150g icing sugar
125ml double or whipping cream

Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/180˚C/fan oven 160˚C. Line 2 muffin tins with muffin paper cases.

Start by pouring the Guinness into a large, wide saucepan and add the butter; heat until the butter's melted, at which time you should whisk in the cocoa and sugar. Beat the sour cream with eggs and vanilla and then pour in the pan of brown, buttery, beer and finally whisk in the flour and bicarbonate of soda.

Pour the batter into the muffin cases ¾ of the way up and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Leave to cool in the tins for 20 minutes and then cool completely on a cooling rack.

When the cupcakes are cold get on with the icing. Lightly whip the cream cheese until smooth, sieve over the icing sugar and then beat them both together. Add the cream and beat again until it makes a spreadable consistency.

Ice the top of the black cupcakes so that it resembles the frothy top of the famous pint. Sprinkle with shamrock sprinkles or green glitter or sugar (optional).