Guinness & Baileys Irish Cream Cupcakes

A rich chocolate cupcake with a hint of Guinness, topped with smooth Baileys buttercream.

A Sweet Finish to Your St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

If you’re planning an Irish-inspired menu for St. Patrick’s Day, these Guinness and Baileys Irish Cream cupcakes are the perfect dessert to finish the evening.

Guinness stout gives the chocolate cupcakes an incredibly deep flavor and moist texture, while Baileys Irish Cream adds a smooth, creamy sweetness to the buttercream frosting. The result is a bakery-worthy cupcake that feels festive, indulgent, and just a little bit Irish.

These cupcakes are always a hit at St. Patrick’s Day parties, Irish-themed dinner gatherings, or cozy celebrations at home. Of course, I never go wrong with chocolate! And don’t worry, the alcohol flavor is subtle and just enhances the rich chocolate taste.

Whether you’re serving them after an irish stew or bringing dessert to a party, these cupcakes are guaranteed to bring a little Irish cheer to the table.

Why Guinness Works in Chocolate Cake

Guinness might seem like an unusual baking ingredient, but it actually enhances chocolate flavor perfectly. The stout adds depth and richness without making the cupcakes taste like beer. Instead, it intensifies the cocoa and creates an incredibly moist cake.

Pair that with a silky Baileys buttercream, and you get a dessert that tastes like it came straight from an Irish bakery.

Guinness and Bailey’s Irish Cream Cupcakes

Moist chocolate cupcakes infused with rich Guinness stout and topped with creamy Bailey’s frosting. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any Irish-inspired celebration.

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Servings: 24 cupcakes

Course: Dessert

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

Cupcakes

• 1 cup Guinness
• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 2/3 cup sour cream

Bailey's Ganache Filling

• 8 ounce bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons Bailey's Irish Cream

Bailey's Buttercream Frosting

• 1 stick butter, room temperature
• 3-4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 4-8 tablespoons Bailey's Irish Cream

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill cupcake tins with 24 cupcake liners.
2. Heat Guinness and butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Once melted, whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
3. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside. Beat eggs and sour cream with a mixer until well combined. Add the Guinness-butter mixture and mix until smooth. Slowly add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
4. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin tins, spooning in each until about 3/4 full. Bake 17 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool 5-10 minutes before removing from tins and completely cooling on a wire rack.
5. Make the ganache: Heat cream in a small saucepan until simmering. Place chocolate in a glass bowl and pour hot cream mover it. Allow to sit for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth. Stir in the butter and Bailey's until well-combined. Stir occasionally until cooled.
6. Once the ganache and cupcakes have cooled, cut out a small cone from the center of each cupcake using a paring knife. Set cone aside. Using a piping bag with a wide tip, pipe a bit of ganache into each cupcake. Lightly replace cone back into each cupcake to cover the ganache.
7. Make the frosting: Beat butter with a mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until frosting is smooth. Add Bailey's and continue to beat until smooth. Add more powdered sugar or Bailey's, depending on desired taste & texture.
8. Frost cupcakes as desired and refrigerate until serving.

Tips for Perfect Cupcakes

• Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter and frosting.
• Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting so the buttercream doesn’t melt.
• For bakery-style cupcakes, use a large piping tip to swirl the frosting.
• Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to two months and only thaw & frost when ready to use.

A Festive St. Patrick’s Day Treat

From hearty Irish dinners to festive desserts, St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect excuse to gather friends and family around the table. These Guinness and Baileys Irish Cream cupcakes are a delicious way to celebrate with a little Irish flair.

Rich chocolate, creamy frosting, and a hint of stout make them a dessert everyone will remember long after the last crumb is gone.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee (or a little Baileys!) and enjoy a cupcake . . . Sláinte!