Guiness Dark Chocolate Cupcakes

Who doesn't love a lil' liquor in their baked goods? I know I do! And of all things, Guiness, Whiskey, and dry robust red wine all make me think of being warm and cozy. So I chose to work with Guiness this time. This recipe creates a rich, moist cupcake with a light creamy frosting which is sure to tickle your fancy.

Ingredients:

1 12 oz. bottle of Guinness
1/2  cup chocolate pudding (or milk)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 Tb vanilla
3 eggs
3/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups AP flour
1 1/2 tspn baking soda

Okay Go:

note to self: don't put open bowl of frosting in fridge.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine cocoa powder, sugar, flour, and baking soda in a bowl and set aside.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, combine Guinness, pudding (milk), oil, and vanilla.
3. Beat eggs into wet ingredients one at a time.  Mix in sour cream.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet.
5. Pour batter into lined cupcake pans (or make sure to butter your pans if they are not lined), about 2/3 full.  6. Bake for 25 minutes if making regular sized cupcakes and 15-18 minutes if making mini sized ones.  Allow to cool before removing from tins.

Mascarpone cheese frosting

1/2 lb. mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
3/4 cup heavy cream

1. Place all ingredients in an electric mixer bowl.
2. Beat on medium high until soft peaks form. Do not overmix!  Use immediately.

Enjoy!