Guinness and Chocolate Cupcakes

10/04/2020

A velvety, rich bake with a unique taste that will make you dream of Ireland.

They are perfect with a cuppa and you can double up on the chocolate by adding choc chips, if you want. The ideal weekend baking project with the kids. Give it a go and let them be messy!

Makes: 12

Prepare: 20 minutes, plus cooling

Cook: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 200ml Guinness
  • 50g cocoa powder
  • 150g unsalted butter, softened
  • 250g light brown soft sugar
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 170g plain flour
  • 1tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1tsp icing sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases. Gradually mix the Guinness into the cocoa powder to form a smooth liquid. In a large bowl, beat the butter with the sugar until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, a little at a time.

2. Mix in the cocoa and Guinness mixture then sift in the flour, bicarbonate of soda and baking powder with a small pinch of salt; gently mix together. Spoon into the muffin cases and bake for 20-25 minutes until risen and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Sprinkle over the icing sugar.

Tip: For a more rich texture you could prepare a topping using 200g cream cheese, 100g icing sugar and 150 ml double cream. Beat the cream cheese until smooth then fold in the icing sugar. In a separate bowl, whip the cream to soft peaks then fold into the cream cheese mixture. Once the cakes have cooled, top each with a little icing, so they resemble frothy little pints.

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