Let’s celebrate the spirit and heritage of Ireland this month! It doesn’t matter if you are Irish all year long or just seem to recall your Irish roots on March 17th, we all can enjoy the food and culture of Ireland! If you’ve been lucky enough to spend time in Ireland you’ll know that the people are the heart of the country– very kind and warm-at-heart.
Making and sharing food and drink is central to this generosity of spirit, as it is in many cultures. Some of the traditions we as Americans think of as Irish have stood the test of time and generations; others are a more Americanized version of Irish traditions. Combine a bit of both in your St. Patrick’s Day celebration and raise your glass to good health and to the good luck of the Irish!
At the grocery store I spotted a chocolate stout cake iced with green icing and topped with chocolate curls. It was beautiful. I gain calories just looking at the bakery offerings.
This recipe for Milk Stout Cupcakes must be very similar to that cake I saw behind the bakery glass. These cupcakes are a creation made using a recipe that stars Milk Stout made by Left Hand Brewing Company.
Yes, yes, I know the usual stout that comes to mind for St. Patrick’s day is the traditional Guinness but try this Colorado beer for a refreshing change. Stout is a dark beer made with roasted malt or roasted barely, hops, water and yeast. A milk stout adds an extra sweetness with the lactose sugar that is derived from milk (or so says Wikipedia).
The coffee and chocolate tones of this milk stout meld perfectly in this densely chocolate cupcake. A cream cheese frosting with a cocoa dusting on top really makes this a decadent dessert.
Milk Stout Cupcakes
The coffee and chocolate tones of this milk stout meld perfectly in this densely chocolate cupcake. A cream cheese frosting with a cocoa dusting on top really makes this a decadent dessert.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa, plus more for dusting finished cupcakes
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch fine salt
- 1 bottle Left Hand Milk Stout
- 1 stick butter(melted)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Combine the cocoa, sugar, flour, baking soda and salt.
- In a separate bowl (use a very large bowl) pour the stout and mix it with the melted butter, vanilla. Whisk in the eggs then fold in the sour cream. Stir until well combined.
- Now add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Fold together then gently stir until thoroughly combined.
- Spray 2, 12-muffin tins with baking spray. (I found this worked better than using muffin liners/cups). Place both in the oven at the same time. Bake for 12 minutes then rotate pans and bake another 12-15 minutes.
- Icing: in a stand mixer or with a hand-held mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese and sifted powdered sugar until smooth. Add the vanilla and milk and continue to beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Pipe the icing on each cupcake and dust with cocoa powder to finish.
Notes
Recipe created by Chefs Kerry and Joseph Griffith in recipe provided by Left Hand Brewing Company website at http://lefthandbrewing.com/recipe/milk-stout-cupcakes/
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1 cupcakeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 158Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 81mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 3g
This data is provided by Nutritionix and is an estimate only.
Holly Baker started the food blog, A Baker’s House, in 2011. She is the writer, recipe creator, and photographer for the site. Holly loves to bake and shares recipes for gluten free food, canning recipes, as well as traditional desserts too. Her recipes and food photography have been highlighted by BuzzFeed, Reader’s Digest, and She Knows.
Rosie
Monday 24th of March 2014
I wear green - green scarf and green flower in my hair (hope nobody thinks my green flower is a piece of lettuce)!
DESIREE H
Monday 17th of March 2014
Looks delicious! We arent doing anything really for St. Patty's day. It is hard to find a babysitter on a Holiday. Thank you!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie
Thursday 13th of March 2014
I love stouts and cupcakes too:) Your recipe sounds fantastic!
Heather
Thursday 13th of March 2014
These look delicious Holly! I could probably eat the whole pan of them! What a great idea to incorporate beer into cupcakes! I love this time of year when you can add beer to your favorite foods and be ok with it!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks
Wednesday 12th of March 2014
Whole Foods, Craft Beer and Cupcakes...three great things in one post! I love that you went with a craft beer over the go to stout, Guinness. Not that I have any issues with Guinness. I just love craft beers and have really embraced the craft beer movement. Great recipe, Holly! Pinned.
Holly F
Friday 14th of March 2014
Thanks, Julie! You are right, nothing wrong with a Guinness either! I am going to try to cook with beer in stews and soups and know I'll find some great recipes on your site. I often think to cook with wine but not beer and the flavor profile of many beers really lend themselves to cooking.