Guinness Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting: Rich, Roasty, and Topped With Smooth Irish Cream Swirl

ByKarl S

Guinness Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting are dark, decadent, and dangerously good — soft, chocolatey cupcakes infused with the roasted malt of Guinness stout, crowned with a creamy, boozy frosting that tastes like dessert and after-dinner drinks rolled into one.

They’re the kind of bake that hits just right on St. Patrick’s Day, at beer dinners, or anytime you want cupcakes with backbone.

Ingredients (Makes 12 cupcakes)

For the Guinness Cupcakes

  • 1 cup Guinness stout
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 egg
  • ⅓ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Irish Cream Frosting

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2–3 tbsp Irish cream liqueur (Baileys or similar)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: 1 tsp espresso powder or cocoa for depth

Instructions

Make the Cupcakes

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
  2. In a saucepan, heat Guinness and butter until melted. Remove from heat and whisk in cocoa. Let cool slightly.
  3. In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
  4. In another bowl, whisk egg, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the beer mixture.
  5. Add dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  6. Divide batter between liners and bake for 17–20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Make the Frosting

  1. Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
  2. Add Irish cream, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt. Beat until creamy and pipeable.
  3. Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes. Garnish with shaved chocolate, cocoa, or a light dusting of espresso if desired.

Serving Suggestions

  • Top with chocolate curls, espresso dust, or tiny gold sprinkles
  • Serve with stout or Irish coffee
  • Make mini versions for tasting flights or pairing boards
  • Add a splash more Baileys to the frosting for extra indulgence

Storage

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
  • Best served at room temp — frosting softens beautifully
  • Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months

Beer Pairing

In the Cake

  • Guinness Draught or Extra Stout
  • Any dry, smooth stout or porter
  • Avoid sweet pastry stouts — too rich

In Your Glass

  • Same stout used in the batter
  • Irish red ale for contrast
  • Coffee stout or chocolate porter for harmony
  • Baileys + stout float if you’re going full-dessert-mode

Final Thoughts

Guinness Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting are a pitch-perfect mash-up of cake and pint — roasted, smooth, and slightly boozy in all the right ways. Whether you bake them for a party or just because Tuesday deserves frosting, they’re worth it.

Cheers to rich crumb, creamy tops, and beer in every bite! 🧁🍺🍫

🍺 Alternatives to Guinness

No Guinness? No problem. These stouts and porters bring similar depth — and sometimes even more character — to your kitchen.

While Guinness is the go-to for beer-based cooking, you’ve got plenty of bold, flavorful alternatives that work just as well — and in some cases, even better — depending on the dish. If you’re looking to experiment or just need a stand-in, here are three of the best:

1. Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout

Flavor profile: Roasty, sweet, velvety

Best used in:

  • Brownies
  • Chocolate layer cakes
  • Dessert sauces
  • Braised short ribs

This one’s a dessert powerhouse — the chocolate is prominent but balanced, and the mouthfeel adds richness to both sweet and savory dishes.

2. Murphy’s Irish Stout

Flavor profile: Smooth, creamy, with a softer roast than Guinness

Best used in:

  • Irish stew
  • Beer bread
  • Onion gravy
  • Cream-based sauces

It’s the closest stylistic match to Guinness — just lighter and slightly less bitter. A great pick for traditional Irish recipes or dishes where you don’t want the beer to dominate.

3. Founders Breakfast Stout

Flavor profile: Deep roast, coffee, dark chocolate

Best used in:

  • Ice cream or affogato
  • Tiramisu
  • Chocolate cake batters
  • Braised beef or short ribs

These are bolder than Guinness — darker, heavier, and more intense. Perfect when you want the beer to be felt in the flavor, not just as a background note.

Pro tip: If you’re using these in recipes that were designed for Guinness, reduce just a touch more to concentrate the flavor — these alternatives tend to bring slightly more body and richness to the pan or batter.

🍺 Explore More Guinness Recipes

From hearty mains and pub-style snacks to rich chocolate desserts and creamy floats — these Guinness-infused recipes show off the bold magic of stout in the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy night in or hosting a feast, there’s a Guinness recipe for it.

🥩 Guinness Beef Stew – Slow-cooked, hearty, and loaded with stout flavor.
🍖 Guinness Braised Short Ribs – Fall-apart tender ribs with a deep Guinness reduction.
🐔 Guinness Chicken Pot Pie – Creamy filling, flaky crust, and a splash of stout.
🍞 Guinness Beer Bread – Quick, dense, and slightly sweet with a malty twist.
🍔 Guinness BBQ Burgers – Juicy patties with smoky Guinness-spiked BBQ sauce.
🧀 Guinness Mac & Cheese – Ultra-creamy cheddar sauce with a hint of stout.
🍫 Guinness Chocolate Cake – Deep, rich chocolate layered with malty undertones.
🧁 Guinness Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting – Mini cakes with a boozy frosting twist.
🍨 Guinness Floats – Creamy vanilla ice cream meets bold stout fizz.
🍮 Guinness Chocolate Crème Brûlée – Silky, dark custard with a crackly caramel top.
🥓 Guinness Glazed Bacon – Sweet, sticky, and irresistibly crispy.
🥧 Guinness Shepherd’s Pie – Comfort food leveled up with a stout-simmered filling.
🔥 Guinness BBQ Sauce – Sweet, smoky, and perfect on just about anything grilled.
🍫 Guinness Brownies – Fudgy brownies with a dark, malty richness.
🥣 Guinness Beer Cheese Soup – Warm, cheesy, and full of Guinness depth.

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.

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