Corin Bakes: St. Patrick's Day (and March Birthday) Guinness Cupcakes

Hope everyone had a fabulous St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day is my third favorite holiday. Halloween is my second and Christmas takes first, if you must know. I don't have an ounce of Irish in me but I do love beer. This year, I was particularly thrilled that St. Patrick's Day took place on a Saturday. That meant green beer would have zero effect on the work day to follow- ah, Sunday :)

So in addition to St. Patrick's Day being on Saturday, my ~~boss~~ friend actually celebrated her birthday a few days later. I thought these would only be appropriate:

Dark Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes with Bailey's Irish Cream Frosting

Um, YUM.

Thought process:

She likes this..

..and she likes this..

Let's combine!

Ingredients
1 (12-ounce) bottle Guinness Stout
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Combine the Guinness, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Mix in the sour cream.
3. Whisk together the cocoa, sugar, flour, and baking soda. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet Guinness mixture.
4. Line 24 papers in your muffin tin.
5. Bake 25 minutes, until risen and set in the middle but still soft and tender. Cool before turning out of the tins.

Bailey's Frosting
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
3-4 cups powdered sugar
4-8 tablespoons Bailey's Irish Cream