Guinness cupcakes are chocolate cupcakes that use a dark stout to enhance the flavor.
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To keep with the theme, I decided to also make Bailey’s frosting.
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Ingredients (makes 24 cupcakes)
Guinness Cupcakes:
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 12 oz bottle of Guinness (or any other dark stout) – if your bottle is more than this, just measure out 12 oz
- 1 (4 oz) stick of butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup sour cream
Baileys Frosting:
- 2 (4 oz) sticks of butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 8 cups powdered (confectioners) sugar
Gradually mix dry mixture into the wet mixture, and mix until well combined.
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Bake for 12 minutes and then rotate the pan. Bake another 12 minutes.
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Check the cupcakes by sticking a toothpick into the center, it should come out clean. Cool completely before topping with frosting.
To make the frosting, use a hand mixer to beat butter until smooth.
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Add the Baileys, vanilla extract, and salt, followed by half of the sugar and beat on low until smooth.
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Slowly add the other half of the sugar and mix to combine. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit more Bailey’s to thin and beat until smooth. (Note: be careful to not add too much, a little bit goes a very long way!)
Frost each cooled cupcake using a pastry bag, or by adding the frosting to a ziptop bag with one bottom corner snipped off.
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You can also frost the cupcakes using a knife. This frosting recipe allows for a very generous amount of frosting, so don’t be shy!
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As I said before, these cupcakes end up tasting like enhanced chocolate cupcakes.
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The icing adds a nice touch to the St. Patrick’s Day theme (you can taste the Bailey’s, but only slightly).
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If making for children, feel free to not include the Baileys and substitute in milk.
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Also, if you’re short on time, you can just buy normal icing and add the Baileys to give it a homemade touch.
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Guinness Cupcakes with Bailey's Frosting
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 12 oz bottle of Guinness or any other dark stout – if your bottle is more than this, just measure out 12 oz
- 1 4 oz stick of butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup sour cream
Frosting:
- 2 4 oz sticks of butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Baileys Irish Cream
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 8 cups powdered confectioners sugar
Instructions
- Melt one stick of butter over medium low heat. Remove from heat and let cool. Prepare two cupcake tins with cupcake liners.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cocoa, sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the Guinness, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Add in eggs, one at a time.
- Stir in sour cream until smooth.
- Gradually mix dry mixture into the wet mixture, and mix until well combined.
- Fill your prepared cupcake tins 3/4 full. (I used a 1/4 cup measuring cup)
- Bake for 12 minutes and then rotate the pans. Bake another 12 minutes.
- Check the cupcakes by sticking a toothpick into the center, it should come out clean. Cool completely before topping with frosting.
- To make the frosting, use a hand mixer to beat butter until smooth.
- Add the Baileys, vanilla extract, and salt, followed by half of the sugar and beat on low until smooth.
- Slowly add the other half of the sugar and mix to combine. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit more Bailey’s to thin and beat until smooth. (Note: be careful to not add too much, a little bit goes a very long way!)
- Frost each cooled cupcake using a pastry bag, or by adding the frosting to a ziptop bag with one bottom corner snipped off. You can also frost the cupcakes using a knife. This frosting recipe allows for a very generous amount of frosting, so don’t be shy!

What do you think?