Go Back
+ servings
A close-up of a chocolate cupcake with a big swirl of frosting, with clovers scattered around.
Print

Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes

These decadent Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes are rich, most, and super chocolatey! They're made with basic ingredients and topped with a rich chocolate cream cheese frosting. The addition of Guinness enhances the chocolate flavor, and makes these a fun St. Patrick's Day treat!
Course Dessert
Cuisine Dessert
Keyword Chocolate Cupcakes, St. Patrick's Day Desserts
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 16 minutes
Servings 24 cupcakes
Calories 393kcal
Author Stephanie Simmons

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cupcakes

  • 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned + leveled 195 grams
  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp brown sugar, packed 241 grams
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar 113 grams
  • 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder Do not use dutch process
  • 1 and 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp espresso powder
  • 3/4 cup full-fat sour cream, at room temperature 180 grams
  • 2 tbsp milk, at room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup Guinness beer, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Frosting

  • 1 and 1/2 cups salted butter, softened at room temperature (3 sticks, 24 tbsp, or 339 grams)
  • 6 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp Guinness beer Or Bailey's Irish Cream, or Jameson Irish Whiskey if you want a fun twist!
  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cold Use the full fat, block style

Instructions

  • Prep: Preheat your oven to 350℉. Place cupcake liners in your muffin/cupcake pan.
  • Make the Cupcake Batter: Whisk together all the dry ingredients (including the sugars) in a large mixing bowl. Beat the eggs in a small bowl. Next, add the wet ingredients, including the beaten eggs, and mix until just combined. There may be a few small lumps - that's fine. Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full.
  • Bake: Bake your cupcakes for 14-16 minutes. The tops will be set and will lightly spring back when gently poked, and a toothpick inserted into the middle will come out with moist crumbs - not wet batter. Once the cupcakes are baked, pop them out of the cupcake pan with a butter knife to cool on a wire rack completely.
  • Make the Chocolate Frosting: Cream butter in a large mixing bowl for 1 minute or so. Add the powdered sugar, 2 cups at a time, mixing until well combined. Use the Guinness & milk as needed to help it come together. Mix in the remaining frosting ingredients until smooth and creamy.
  • Frost the Cupcakes: Use a piping bag and piping tip, or an offset spatula or butter knife to frost your cupcakes. I used an Ateco 849 tip to create the large swirls pictured here.
  • Serve + Store: Enjoy immediately! Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge. These are best within the first two days.

Notes

Non Alcoholic: To make these without alcohol, omit the 1 cup of Guinness, and use 1 cup of hot water instead. You can also omit the Guinness from the frosting. Use heavy cream or milk in place of the Guinness. 
Frosting: If you want to use about half as much frosting per cupcake as I did (pictured), you can cut the frosting recipe in half. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupcake | Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 264mg | Potassium: 154mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 551IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg