St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  The panther may not be wearing green today but that doesn't mean she isn't celebrating.  She found this great cupcake recipe on food.com that combines Ireland's finest flavors:  Guinness Stout, and Bailey's Irish Cream!  Cupcakes are fun to serve on any occasion.  These are dark and rich, and moist and oh-so-yummy!  Grab a pint, or a glass of Bailey's and follow this recipe.

Guinness Cupcakes with Bailey's Frosting

Cupcakes
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup Guinness stout
2/3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder, sifted
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream

Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter
4 cups confectioners sugar
1 pinch table salt
3 tablespoons Bailey's Irish Cream
1 tablespoon milk

Directions
1.  Preheat oven to 350 F Grease 24-30 cupcake cups, or fill with paper liners.

2.  In a saucepan, heat the butter, Guinness, cocoa and brown sugar, whisking, often, until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.  Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

3.  Into the work bowl of a stand mixer (or into a large mixing bowl), sift together salt, flour, white sugar and baking soda.  Add the cooled Guinness mixture and beat on medium for 1 minute.  Add eggs and sour cream and beat on medium fo 2 minutes or until smooth.

4.  Divide the batter evenly amongst the cupcake cups.  Bake in preheated oven 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean.  Cool in pan 20 minutes, then remove and transfer to a cooling rack until completely cooled.

5.  Meanwhile, in (cleaned) work bowl of stand mixer, cream butter until very light and fluffy.  Add salt, and slowly add confectioners sugar.  Do not run the mixer above low, or the sugar will spray all over your kitchen.  Add a couple of spoonsful at a time until it has all been absorbed into the butter.  Add Bailey's and milk until spreadable consistency is achieved.

6.  Frost cupcakes with Bailey's frosting.

7.  Enjoy!

Have a safe and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

-The Panther