Ingredients
-
75g unsweetened cocoa, plus more for dusting finished cupcakes
-
400g sugar
-
240g plain flour
-
1 tsp. bicarbonate of soda
-
Pinch fine salt
-
1 bottle stout beer (recommended: Guinness)
-
113g butter, melted
-
1 tbsp. vanilla essence
-
3 large eggs
-
180ml sour cream
-
230g package cream cheese, softened at room temperature
-
180ml-240ml double cream
-
1 (450g) box icing sugar
Directions
-
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cocoa, sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt.
-
In another medium mixing bowl, combine the stout, melted butter, and vanilla. Beat in eggs, 1 at time. Mix in sour cream until thoroughly combined and smooth. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
-
Lightly grease 24 muffin tins. Divide the batter equally between muffin tins, filling each 3/4 full. Bake for about 12 minutes and then rotate the pans.
-
Bake another 12 to 13 minutes until risen, nicely domed, and set in the middle but still soft and tender. Cool before turning out.
-
For the Icing: In a medium bowl with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the heavy cream. On low speed, slowly mix in the confectioners' sugar until incorporated and smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use. Icing can be made several hours ahead and kept covered and chilled.
-
Top each cupcake with a heap of frosting and dust with cocoa.
Will you be whipping up a batch of extra-special and extra-delicious cupcakes for St Patrick's Day? Let us know in the Comments Box below.
For more St Patrick's Day recipes go to The Food Network now.