Guinness n' Irish Cream Cupcake

Throwing a St. Patrick's Day party?  Why not cheers with a Guinness n' Irish Cream Cupcake this St. Patty's Day?  This cupcake turned out to be DELICIOUS, if I do say so myself - and I'm not even a beer lover.  Although you can't really taste the Guinness, it gives the cake a great consistency.  Plus the Bailey's icing is the perfect topping for this Irish inspired delight.  Alright, here's what you'll need...

• Chocolate Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water...but you won't need the water for this one!)
• Store bought Vanilla Icing
• 1 can of Guinness (or any Stout) 
• 1/8 cup Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur (feel free to add more if you want)
• Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
• Icing Sugar (optional)

And here's my easy recipe...

Step 1: Preheat your oven as directed on the cake mix package.  Add all the ingredients your Chocolate Cake Mix calls for EXCEPT for the water.  Instead of the water, replace the called for amount with Guinness. Mix the ingredients together until it is smooth.

Step 2: Spoon the batter into your cupcake liners and bake as directed on the package.  Once they are done baking, let them cool completely.

Step 3: On to the Irish Cream icing!!!  Using you mixer, toss in the vanilla icing, butter, and Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur and mix on high until smooth and fluffy.  Give your icing a taste and if it's too buttery for your liking or too runny, add in some icing sugar.  Also, if you want to add more Bailey's, go for it!  You can always add more icing sugar to thicken it back up if it gets too runny.  If you really want to add some Patty's Day festivity, add in some green food colouring.

Step 4: Now it's time to layer on the icing!  I used a piping bag and tip #1M.  This icing is DELICIOUS, so you'll want to add a lot...or at least I like to add a lot.  You can garnish these with chocolate curls or even a green candy, but I chose to leave them as they were.   

Happy Faking!