I discovered this recipe a quite some time ago while browsing baking images on Pinterest. I had just been travelling in Ireland with a friend, and had recently discovered a new found love for Guinness. Chocolate, Guinness and cupcakes ... what a fantastic combination! And, to make things even better, this is basically a one bowl recipe and its super simple.
Although the pretzels look very impressive, I don't think they're necessary. I personally think the cupcakes taste batter with a simple chocolate icing. You can find the original recipe here on the Bakers Royal blog.
Makes 12 Cupcakes
Ingredients:
Cupcakes:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted and warm
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Guinness Stout
Icing:
- 60g dark chocolate, melted
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1/3 cup icing sugar
Method:
Heat oven to 180 deg C.
Sift the flour and cocoa powder and add to the sugar, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and mix thoroughly to combine.
Add in the butter, eggs, and vanilla and beat on medium speed for one minute.
Add 1/4 cup of the beer into the mixture and beat for 20 seconds. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add remaining beer. Beat for 20-30 seconds until the batter is smooth.
The batter will be thin enough to pour. Divide it evenly among the lined cups. Bake for approximately 20 minutes in the bottom third of the oven, until a toothpick inserted into a few of the cupcakes comes out clean.
Remove cupcakes from pan after a few minutes and set the on a rack to cool. Ice the cupcakes when they are completely cool.
For the icing: Melt the chocolate in a double boiler and allow to cool slightly. Whip together cream and icing sugar until firm (you can turn the bowl upside down above your head without getting cream everywhere! Do not over beat the cream - you don't want butter). Mix in the melted chocolate and pipe or spread onto cupcakes.