These Beer Cupcakes are bold, tender, and totally crave-worthy — whether you’re going malty and dark or citrusy and light.

Beer adds depth, moisture, and character to the batter, while the frosting and fillings open the door to creative combos.

From chocolate stout cupcakes with Irish cream filling to citrus wheat beer cupcakes with lemon glaze, these are desserts for people who love their sweets with a side of beer.

🍺 Base Beer Cupcake Recipe (Makes 12)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup beer (stout, porter, brown ale, or amber — see flavor ideas below)
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¾ cup cocoa powder (for chocolate base) or 2 tsp citrus zest (for lighter base)
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups sugar
• 1½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• ⅔ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Beer Tip:
Use stout or porter for chocolate cupcakes. Try wheat beer or blonde ale for citrus/vanilla styles. Avoid bitter IPAs.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners.
2. In a saucepan, heat beer and butter over medium until melted.
   Whisk in cocoa powder if using; cool slightly.
3. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
4. In a second bowl, whisk eggs, sour cream, and vanilla. Add beer-butter mixture.
5. Stir wet into dry ingredients until just combined.
6. Divide into liners and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool completely before frosting.

☘️ Irish Car Bomb Cupcake Variation

Chocolate Stout Cupcake + Irish Cream Frosting + Whiskey Ganache

Ganache Filling:

• 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp Irish whiskey

Heat cream to a simmer. Pour over chocolate. Stir until smooth. Add whiskey. Chill until scoopable.

Irish Cream Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2½ cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp Bailey’s Irish Cream
• 1 tsp vanilla

Beat until fluffy. Add more Bailey’s to reach desired texture.

Assembly:

1. Scoop a small hole in each cooled cupcake.
2. Fill with whiskey ganache.
3. Pipe Irish cream frosting on top.
4. Optional: drizzle with more ganache or sprinkle with flaky salt or cocoa powder.

Other Flavor Combos

🍊 Citrus Wheat Beer Cupcakes

• Use a wheat beer or radler
• Add lemon or orange zest to batter
• Top with whipped lemon buttercream or citrus glaze

🥜 Peanut Butter Porter Cupcakes

• Use porter or peanut butter stout
• Add chopped peanuts to batter
• Frost with peanut buttercream and drizzle with beer caramel

☕ Coffee Stout Cupcakes

• Use espresso stout or coffee porter
• Add espresso powder to batter
• Top with mocha buttercream or cream cheese frosting

Beer Pairing

• With chocolate stout cupcakes:
  • Guinness, milk stout, or imperial stout
• With citrus cupcakes:
  • Wheat beer, radler, or blonde ale
• In your glass:
  • Same beer used in the cupcakes
  • Complement with contrasting styles (e.g., saison with chocolate for spice)

Final Thoughts

Beer Cupcakes are bold, moist, and made for dessert lovers who like a little brew in every bite. Whether you’re stacking dark chocolate and stout or going light and citrusy with wheat ale, these cupcakes bring flavor and fun in every wrapper.

The Irish Car Bomb version? Boozy, rich, and impossible to forget — part cupcake, part cocktail, all amazing.

Cheers to cupcakes that pour like a pint and party like a dessert! 🧁🍺🔥

Explore Our Top Cooking-with-Beer Recipes 🍺 🍺

From crispy beer-battered classics to bold mains, cheesy dips, breads, and even desserts — these roundups bring together the best of beer-infused cooking. Whether you’re hosting a game day, planning a backyard BBQ, or just experimenting in the kitchen, there’s a beer recipe collection for every craving.

• 🍽️ Cooking with Beer (Main Hub) – Your ultimate guide to cooking with beer, from mains to apps and desserts.
• 🥨 Beer-Battered Appetizers and Sides – – Crispy onion rings, fried pickles, mushrooms, zucchini, & more pub-style favorites with a golden beer crunch.
• 🍞 Beer Bread Recipes – From 2-ingredient quick breads to jalapeño cheese loaves.
• 🧀 Beer Cheese & Dips – Beer cheese soup, queso, nachos, ranch dip & more.
• 🍖 Beer Can Chicken & Grilled Mains – Bold, juicy recipes straight from the grill.
• 🌶️ Beer Infused Chili’s – Hearty, bold, and slow-simmered beer-infused chili.
• 🍻 Beer Mac & Cheese – Creamy, quick& easy, made to impress.
• 🍰 Beer-Infused Desserts & Sweets – Sweet treats made better with beer.
• 🎉 Oktoberfest & Seasonal Ideas – Perfect pairings for parties, fall feasts, and festive gatherings.