As I mentioned on Friday, I have been doing some experimentation with the beer and chocolate combination. The Guinness-chocolate ice cream that I made totally kicked butt, so I couldn’t wait to see how I liked beer and chocolate in my cake. The answer? I like it, a whole heck of a lot. This was my first time doing Guinness-chocolate cakes, and I was totally optimistic that I would love it, and I was definitely right. These cupcakes are fashioned after the popular “Irish Car Bomb” cocktail that consists of a shot of Baileys Irish Cream and Irish whiskey dropped into a pint of Guinness. I have never had one myself, but I’ve heard that if you can get it down before it curdles, it’s smooth, delicious and almost tastes like a milkshake. I’ll believe it because these cupcakes are all sorts of delicious. They’re also very boozy. Consider yourself warned 
These cupcakes consist of a Guinness-chocolate cake base, which has a wonderful depth of flavor and is also supremely moist. The centers of the cupcakes are cut out and filled with a chocolate ganache that has been spiked with Irish whiskey. And to top it all off, the frosting is my favorite vanilla buttercream that has been doused with a serious amount of Baileys Irish Cream.
While you can’t really taste the beer in the cupcakes (it serves as more of a flavor enhancer for the chocolate), you can definitely taste the alcohol in the filling and the frosting. Which I think means that the cupcakes are a success 
Plus, they got six big thumbs up!
I think I need to start converting more drinks into baked goods, this was too much fun (and way delicious!).
Two year ago: Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Three years ago: Pot Roast in the Crock Pot
Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes
Yield: 24 cupcakes
Prep Time: 40 minutes | Bake Time: 17 minutes
For the Cupcakes:
1 cup Guinness stout
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1½ teaspoons baking soda
¾ teaspoons salt
2 eggs
2/3 cup sour creamFor the Whiskey Ganache Filling:
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons Irish whiskeyFor the Baileys Frosting:
2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream1. To Make the Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 cupcake cups with liners. Bring the Guinness and butter to a simmer in a heavy, medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.
2. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl to combine. Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sour cream on medium speed until combined. Add the Guinness-chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and beat just to combine. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour mixture and beat briefly. Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter until completely combined. Divide the batter among the cupcake liners. Bake until a thin knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 17 minutes. Cool the cupcakes on a rack.
3. To Make the Whiskey Ganache Filling: Finely chop the chocolate and transfer it to a heatproof bowl. Heat the cream until simmering and pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for one minute and then, using a rubber spatula, stir it from the center outward until smooth. Add the butter and whiskey and stir until combined. Let the ganache cool until thick but still soft enough to be piped.
4. To Fill the Cupcakes: Using a 1-inch round cookie cutter (or the bottom of a large decorating tip), cut the centers out of the cooled cupcakes, going about two-thirds of the way down. Transfer the ganache to a piping back with a wide tip and fill the holes in each cupcake to the top.
5. To Make the Baileys Frosting: Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, whip the butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally. Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually add the powdered sugar until all of it is incorporated. Add the Baileys, increase the speed to medium-high and whip for another 2 to 3 minutes, until it is light and fluffy.
6. Using your favorite decorating tip, or an offset spatula, frost the cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Store the cupcakes in an airtight container.
(Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen)
Tags: Bailey's, Beer, Chocolate, Cupcakes, Spring, St. Patrick's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Whiskey
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Oh dear. I am giving up sugar for the next 40 days. Why does St. Patrick’s Day have to fall during lent!? These look so unique and amazing.
I’m giving up oxygen for lent so I have these cupckaes!
Special dispensation for the Irish on St Patrick’s Day!
Or maybe that’s just my family…..
my eyes fooled me in the first place when i saw the paper liners peeling out. then after having closer look…..well, BEB yours is a great blog. may i add your blog to my blog roll..
How fun! These look so festive.
I haven’t had an Irish car bomb since college! What a creative recipe! These cupcakes look delicious. Def have to try!
I like your blog, however the name of this recipe is in extremely poor taste. If you lived in Belfast, for example, or London as I do, then car bombs are no joke. The IRA (Irish Republican Army) used to regularly put bombs under cars of people in order to call attention to themselves and their so-called cause. They thought nothing of depriving children of their fathers/wives of their husbands/parents of their children etc. One of my former neighbors was killed by one left underneath his car outside his house. A lot of Americans (and I am one) seem to consider the IRA to be some sort of glamorous rebel organization, but they really aren’t. They are cold blooded killers, plain and simple. And for all you people out there who ever raised money for them, shame on you.
The name of this recipe may be in poor taste, but the recipe itself sounds great!
I was scrolling down to comment about that. I am not one for getting offended at things, but this is like a 9/11 cupcake recipe. It’s too good a recipe to wreck with this name.
I don’t want this to become some political rant fest but an edit to change the name would be much appreciated. It’s too good a recipe not to.
Stephen Parker, 14 years old.
Jean McConville, 37 years old.
John McCormick, 34 years old.
Norman Hutchinson, 17 years old.
Ted McQuaid, 25 years old.
Robert Smith, 18 years old.
Billy Finlay, 55 years old.
James Ferguson, 53 years old.
Denis Taggart, 33 years old.
Robert Coggles, 31 years old.
These people will never taste the cakes named after their deaths. I wonder if their children will come across them instead?
so many things are so pc now its not funny. get over it. its not supporting the ira or anything like that. sweety I love the name of this cupcakes don’t change it for a couple of narrow minded ppl. all the Irish people I know love the name of this cupcakes
You need to get over yourself.
I believe the recipe is named after the “Irish Car Bomb” cocktail. I do not believe it is meant as a political statement or anything of the like. If anything, the drink is poorly named.
And on a more positive note, these look delicious!
I realise there’s no malice intended, and that it’s named after an otherwise innocuous cocktail, but for me, it still reads as shockingly offensive. For context, I’m an American living in Dublin and married to an Irishman.
I’m sure the recipe is divine, but there has to be a better name out there.
Oh my, people need to get over it. It’s a cupcake, not a political statement, people.
I appreciate it is a cupcake. It is a wonderful cupcake. I appreciate it is named after a cocktail. I also appreciate that it is not a political statement.
However, ‘Deliberately Murdering Hundreds’ Cupcake doesn’t have the same ring to it. Just as ‘Oklahoma Bombing tart’ or ’9/11 pudding’ would also be wrong. Just because there is a cocktail of the same name, it’s not a political statement, and Brown Eyed Baker is wonderful, doesn’t mean it is right.
Clint Eastwood’s film has been pulled from Japanese cinemas because of tsunami references, quite appropriately. This is the same thing.
@Fairycakemother, in the principle of fairness, please change your name. Fairy is an offensive term to homosexuals. I am deeply offended. Maybe you should search the English language for a word that doesn’t offend so many. Make sure that it has no double meanings across every culture. Likewise, make sure to do this to everyone of your recipes. Thanks!
Its just as silly to take offense to things that obviously aren’t meant to be offensive. A fairy godmother is a magical Disney-fied charachter, nothing more.
It never ceases to amaze me how thick some people can be. Amy, when your reading a comment you should put yourself in his shoes to see if he is trolling. Obvious troll is obvious
Ask for an Irish Car Bomb in a pub in Ireland and you’d get short shrift, only in the USA!
I can’t actually believe your ignorance in telling people to “get over it”; if we Brits created a cocktail called “Talibani Plane-jacker” that would be fine because it’s just a drink not a political statement? Terrorism is terrorism, the IRA were terrorists and it is really offensive first of all to imply that the Irish are all members of the IRA and second of all because thousands of people died during the troubles. I agree with the other British/Irish commentators here, it’s in extremely bad taste and I gasped when I saw the name of the recipe. I can’t actually believe there’s a cocktail called that in the States, how insensitive.
The British gov are the terrorist and you pay them with your taxes … They have murdered thousand, get educated … But still a bad name
@Fairycakemother: I would eat a ‘Deliciously Murdering Hundreds Cupcake’ in a second.
I wonder if Foo would eat Holocaust Delight?
I would if it taste good.
And as far as the 911 pudding we eat 911 wing sauce all the time. So why’s your point.
Irish Car Bombs are a staple of St. Patricks Day traditions all over, not just in the USA. You can get them in Europe as well and I’ve had them in Canada. It’s offensive, but mixology is based on trends. In the states, you can order an Osama Bin Laden, 2 shots and a splash of water, and drinks with 9/11 in the title usually come in patriotic colors. The Watergate has a shot of “im”peach schnapps. Drinks like the Bloody Mary, or Chartreuse are historical. Religion can be mocked just as easily as politics. Look at drinks like the Virgin Mary, the Sore Altar Boy, etc. There are too many ways to mix a drink, and too many creative mixologists. Same thing goes for cupcakes!
EXactly!
If you cut out one you need to cut them ALL out! it is just insane….
I am an American living in Germany and the Irish pubs here sell the Irish Car Bomb drink. It is a terrible thing that happened in Ireland but come on, these are just cupcakes named after a drink. If they were named something else, people who like the drink might not associate them with it and therefor never try what looks to be a deliciously sinful cupcake. This is a recipe blog, enough said.
Two observations:
1) The author based her/his recipe on a popular if poorly named drink. He/she therefore named it after the drink. This is only logical.
What is not logical is taking issue with the name here. This objection should have been leveled at the bartenders who invented and named the eponymous cocktail, and those who later popularized the name.
2) I am cautiously optimistic that no one commenting here has donated to the IRA; therefore this imputation also seems inappropriate. If you want to censure someone for that offense, a better choice would be Rep. Peter King (R-NY) , who recently conducted congressional hearings putatively on the subject of terrorism.
Because a bartender, in poor taste and little common sense, named such a drink, should be reason enough NOT to adopt such a poor choice of words. It’s obvious that you lack any logic yourself as you do not understand how such an egregious name for a drink/cupcake can affect people who have witnessed car bombings and as a result lost a friend, neighbor, or family member. You seem to think ‘anything goes’ and that people ought not to be offended by a name that implies death. I would say you fit the textbook definition of a sociopath: one who knows the difference between right and wrong, but doesn’t care. Your parents could have done better…
Clare,
Two hours earlier you wrote:
Author: Clare (December 9, 2011 6:07 PM)
Comment:
Just stumbled across your fantastic blog, cannot wait to peruse the rest of it (study
avoidance to the max…). Absolutely love EVERYTHING about these cupcakes; pure
genius, don’t change a thing!
Irish myself, but can’t stand Guinness, so I’ll hold back a bit in the recipe I think. For
those of you brave enough to try irish car bombs from a bar and not the baker; fair play,
I tried and failed, I’ll just stick with a baby guinness I think.
Tá mé ag tnúth go mór leis na cácaí beaga seo, go raibh míle maith agat agus ná bac le
na daoine cantalach thuas!
Translation: I’m looking forward to these cupcakes, thank you and ignore the grouchy people above!
Why then come back and call Michelle, our Brown Eyed Baker, a socipath and delete your first post?
To the rest of you that continue to come back and state Michelle is evil,
Why do you people come on here at all if you are so offended by the name of the cupcakes\drink? They are not named for any actual car bombings done in Ireland. They are named for the Irish liquors used and the fact that a side to a shot is called a side car and when said shot is dropped into the “car” it is called a bomb. This has been explained already.
Personally, I can see how someone could be initially offended by the name. However, once you have been told how that name was created, you really ought to just walk away if you still find offence. You have no right to demand or call names. Even if you yourself have never seen this particular drink in a bar in Ireland, others have said they have. Are you calling them liars? If you must state your offence, state it once and then go away. Why do you keep coming back and spewing your hatred all over BEB’s site? I have seen the same people posting over and over how upset seeing this name on a cupcake is making them. If it is so upsetting, why do you continue to bring yourself back to read it again?
I have read how rude it is of Americans to keep telling those offended to shrug it off, grow up, etc. However, do you not see how rude you are being to Michelle by coming back repeatedly with your venom? Use some common sense. This is a site about food and wonderful cooking. Please do not keep polluting it.
Thank you.
Not sure where you’re going w/your rant, but my second comment was directed at Abdel Irada, not Michelle. The first comment, which was still there last time I checked, was to Michelle for her poor taste in naming this cupcake an Irish car bomb. Can you not see how one would be taken aback by such a name? And btw, the word ‘offense’ is NOT spelled ‘offence’.
It appears that several people are offended by the name of this cupcake, and you just don’t get the association between this name and actual experiences of those of us who have seen w/our own eyes the destruction that such car bombs can have. You need to develop some sensitivity and awareness of others and how they are affected by such memories. It would be akin to a cake named ’9-11 massacre’ or ‘JFK assassination’…it just shows how far gone some people are w/their lack of creativity to come up w/a less egregious name.
Clare,
In your first reply, you stated “I would say you fit the textbook definition of a sociopath: one who knows the difference between right and wrong, but doesn’t care. Your parents could have done better…” How is calling him/her a sociopath and his/her parent could have done better right? What exactly are you implying, it really doesn’t seem “sensitive?”
Actually, I did mean “offence;” however, thank you for trying.
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003
offence US, offense [əˈfɛns] n
3. annoyance, displeasure, or resentment; give offence (to) to cause annoyance or displeasure (to) take offence to feel injured, humiliated, or offended
4. a source of annoyance, displeasure, or anger
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
offence
noun
1. crime, wrong, sin, lapse, fault, violation, wrongdoing, trespass, felony, misdemeanour, delinquency, misdeed, transgression, peccadillo, unlawful act, breach of conduct It is a criminal offence to sell goods which are unsafe.
2. outrage, shock, anger, trouble, bother, grief (informal), resentment, irritation, hassle (informal), wrath, indignation, annoyance, ire (literary), displeasure, pique, aggravation, hard feelings, umbrage, vexation, wounded feelings The book might be published without creating offence.
3. insult, injury, slight, hurt, harm, outrage, put-down (slang), injustice, snub, affront, indignity, displeasure, rudeness, slap in the face (informal), insolence His behaviour was an offence to his hosts.
take offence be offended, resent, be upset, be outraged, be put out (informal), be miffed (informal), be displeased, take umbrage, be disgruntled, be affronted, be piqued, take the needle (informal), get riled, take the huff, go into a huff, be huffy You’re very quick to take offence today.
@ Clare Ní Chraidhin: Sorry I confused you with this other Clare. My apologies.
“Personally, I can see how someone could be initially offended by the name. However, once you have been told how that name was created, you really ought to just walk away if you still find offence. You have no right to demand or call names.”
Yes, quite right! This is why I still wear my swastika t-shirt with pride. After all, it was originally created as a sign of peace. I especially enjoy wearing it when I attend sporting engagements at the Nigger Brown stand in Toowoomba – named after a popular shoe polish of the day. How could anyone ever take offense to anything once they’ve been told how it originated? What is the matter with these people??
Frankly, the fact that your “Brown Eyed Baker” would knowingly post this, continue raking in the traffic from the controversy despite hearing from those who have genuinely been hurt an offended, and yet never take a moment to explain herself or her decision speaks volumes. As does the fact that this recipe is clearly stolen from another site.
And those of you making light of fellow human beings’ suffering and telling those who have lost loved ones to get over it? You are reprehensible.
Eep sorry if I confused some issue, I posted the comment you copy and pasted there, different person to the Clare below (think my post is on the next page). Really do think the blog is great
On a side note, totally agree with you, people shouldn’t really take it out on this wonderful chef.
Slán
Clare, Clare Clare. And all the rest of you intolerant types. It’s a freaking cupcake, for crying out loud.To make the sweeping suggestion accusing the one poster of being a ‘sociopath’ is ludicrous, completely undermines the integrity of your opinion, and shines a bright light of doubt on your ability to reason clearly. Let alone your diagnostic abilities.
If it was a recipe for ‘Spotted Dick,’ would we be going on about the misfortune of genital warts? Or dynamite rolls. That’s probably sushi code for IEDs, dontcha know. How insensitive to our troops overseas.
But there is hope, since there are some very good medications available for hyperagitated people such as yourselves which could help; preferably combined with the right kind of cognitive therapy to get to the bottom of your difficulties with acceptance, and inability to restrain yourselves from lashing out… about cupcake names, for crying out loud. I mean, wow. Think about how stupid that looks.
You know, that sort of hostile intolerance is often a hallmark of addictions, Alanon candidates, or Adult Children of Alcoholics. Perhaps there may be a chair waiting for you with a 12-step program appropriate to your needs…? If so I hope you have sense and courage to look into some combination of the above, if not for your own serenity then to spare everyone else your mean spirited and unwanted vitriol on lighthearted food sites. You might learn to love cupcakes again, just like the rest of us, who couldn’t care less what the cook wants to call them.
Long story short: We don’t want your self righteous blather: So button it and go someplace else and deal with it on your own.
Ta ta, Chuckles!
Brian
Thank youfor that Brian! Well said.
I came to the comments section to get reviews on how the cupcakes taste. Did anyone actually try making these? How are they?
obviously you have never been to a bar. irish car bombs for life! woo!
these look slap your irish mother in the face delicious by the way.
but yeah please stop with the whole “poorly named” and go cry somewhere else
Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, however, this is a popular shot in America, and if you’re offended by the name, then you’re clearly taking your alcoholic drinks too seriously. Never take life too seriously. You’ll never make it out alive.
That being said, these look amazing. My girlfriend is going to make these very soon. Thanks for the awesome post. Found this on stumbleupon.com. I bet this tastes much better than the actual shot though. There’s another shot that is similar to this one called a cement mixer.
I am a professional bartender, and all though I appreciate the care and concern, a little mixology knowledge is apparently needed in desperate measure for this poor lil cupcake..
“Irish Car Bomb”
1.The “Irish” referance is used to describe the contents of the cocktail(Jameson IRISH whiskey,Bailey’s IRISH creme, Guiness IRISH stout) as well as differenciate between similar recipies ( California Car Bomb, Cherry Bomb, etc)
2.A “side car”, (also known as a “chaser”) is the actual term referring to a beverage accompaning a shot of liquor, usually non alcoholic or beer, to make the liquor less offensive in the throat, and to reduce the strength of the tast in the mouth.
3.The “bomb” is a quite accurate description of the effect created by taking the shot glass of liquor and dropping it quickly into a pint glass full of the “car”, thus creating a fizzing explosion type reaction..at which time you immediatly consume the cocktail as quickly as you can. The term also alerts the consummer that drinking the amount of alcohol in this cocktail so quickly gets you “bombed”..a very common slang term used to describe intoxication.
***It has absolutly nothing whatso ever to do with Ireland, War or actual bombings of any sort.*** It is a quick, quirky memorable name that accuratly describes the contents and effect of the cocktail combination.. a great marketing ploy.
BTW..THE CUPCAKES ARE DELICIOUS!!!
THANK YOU for clearing this up. I was going to try, but was hoping someone would do it better than I could.
Very well Put.
Thank you for the information on just how these drinks get their names. My daughter is making these today for a Halloween party this evening,she and I discussed the name for the PC people out there, we came up with wickedly smashed.
Well, here’s a good history lesson behind the DRINK, Thank you. YES! There will alway be something for people to be offended about. YES! People will always read into whatever they don’t know about, in this case a DRINK. YES! They look AWESOME!! I’m Irish living in here in the US. People, you are wasting your breathe and time here. Make the cupckes call the something else. I’m sure that no one is really going to care. I’m not making light of any IRA bombing. NOT AT ALL. But I know that the Irish Car Bomb drink has been around way before these cupcakes! CUPCAKES PEOPLE! Which I’m going to make this weekend.
I agree with you however, it wasn’t just the IRA who have been said to plant car bombs so did the UDA ( bombs supplied by the Brit gov) just a a bit of truth would be nice for a change. Oh the British spin machine is alive and well sad .. Great cupcakes though
Thank you for letting us know how the cupcakes actually turned out. Much appreciated!
awesome
I agree. The troubles in Ireland are still continuing and naming cupcakes after something offensive isn’t the best way to attract people to the recipe.
I live in the USA and have been drinking “Irish Car Bombs” for years. I never knew what the name was referring to. A “bomb” in terms of a shot, is when a shot is dropped in beer or another drink. I just assumed that’s what the “bomb” was referring to. I don’t think anyone was/is trying to be offensive in calling these cupcakes by that name.
Well guess what Einstein – I’m guessing she DOESN’T live in Ireland so it’s really not relevant. So, drop a Midol and stop posting irrelevant nonsense on a blog that is referencing a popular drink common in American culture. It’s supposed to be fun Debbie downer.
Americans are fat, stupid, and extremely self-centered. Why is anyone surprised that they see nothing wrong with having a little fun with overseas terrorism (but scream and cry and throw enormous tanties if anyone makes light of 9/11)?
did you not see the explaination from the bartender above? Has nothing to do with ira car bombings. fucking moron. go back to kindergarted and learn how to read. Love the cupcakes btw!
Catherine, I agree the name is offensive. But I am coming from the other end of the table. My ancestors fought for the freedom of British rule and I today also know people who still are in the IRA. The methods today’s members use are idiotic and obscure. The innocent lives lost on both the British and Irish sides are wrong and unjust, they both lost innocent lives. Look at The Guildford Four, the Conlons were not part of the IRA and still served years in prison and Giuseppe Conlon died in prison due to the poor quality of the health standards in that prison. They were in fact 100% innocent from the crime. The British have also lost innocent dear lives that ruined and tore apart families has did the Irish. I am sorry for the loss of your friend due to the IRA car bombing. I have lost friends who were not involved in anything of the sort as well. I agree the name of this recipe should be changed.
Your offense would be far better placed if the author of this blog had coined the term car-bomb, but they didn’t. It’s the only name I’ve heard of for that particular drink, so if you really want to take issue with the name, hunt down the person who first dropped baileys into guiness and came up with the term.
Thank you for your comment, Catherine. I totally agree with you and came to this site via pinterest to say them same. I found the name of the cakes to be inappropriate but you made the point so eloquently there is nothing that I can add other than my agreement.
Seriously- get a grip…. an Irish Carbomb is a kind of shot- made up of guinness, baileys, & jameson. Hence the name for the cupcakes. The name came long before the cupcakes, I can assure you that.
I agree, a horrible name, i almost didnt open the email. Ok let’s re-name it then. St Patrick at the pub, perhaps.
Catherine,
You need to get your history in check, I live in Belfast now (not from here originally) and you cannot judge what clearly you do not see or understand, it’s apalling what the people in the north of IReland have had to live through due to the British government.
The British gov have murdered thousands and thousands of people including children world wide with their decide and conquer attitude, so i wonder if the British gov didnt invade other people countries i dont think ther would be any freedom fighters do you???? I do agree the name is bad taste.
To all above, we all understand that the name is “offensive” there is no reason to bring up all the politics, why did you even decide to observe such a recipe if you are bothered by the name?
I will be making these today, and if i know people will be offended by such name, it will be renamed to the “Damn Good Cupcakes”
can we stop with this thread of comments now?
This is an amazing idea!! Great recipe
Wow, these look so good!! I love the drink, which (for me at least) is hard to get down but delicious if you can do it. I can only imagine the cupcake version is doubly delicious! Also, the thought of Baileys in frosting makes me drool a little.
)
I don’t have to wait until Thursday to bake these, right? Good.
That whiskey ganache filling sounds incredible! The whole cupcake looks amazing.
I made these last year – (this year, i’m on the lent-bus with a few of the rest of you) – and they were AMAZING. Pro-tip: after they’ve cooled, stick them in the freezer. The booze keeps them from freezing solid, and you just have tasty pucks of delicious. Yum!
these look so amazing I am a sucker for anything filled
To be honest, I didn’t even give a thought to the IRA, etc. when I read the name of this until someone pointed it out. I IMMEDIATELY knew it was a very popular drink that is served in just about every bar in America…and I know it’s served at the authentic Irish bar that we frequent. I also knew what BEB was referring to and while I don’t know her, I’m 100% sure she wasn’t intending to offend. I’m also well aware of what the IRA has done to Ireland and certainly don’t condone it. I’m sure BEB will do the right thing and change it since it offended some, but in all reality, this is a fun site for bakers to enjoy. Thanks BEB for a great recipe! Can’t wait to make it for my husband on his St. Pat’s birthday!
Yes, don’t let a little death and destruction get in the way of your fun baking.
Meagan, I fully appreciate that most Americans will have no idea about the name. I can’t see a cocktail called irish Car Bomb being served in Northern Ireland though.
It is called a Car Bomb though. They tend to kill people. Kinda the point of them.
It is not a gripe at Brown Eyed Baker. It is a shame that the post didn’t start with, ‘this is the name of a well known cocktail served all over America. While the name comes from an unpleasant part of Ireland’s past, the ingredients are so good I just had to make a cupcake from them.’
Sorted.
Thank you, this is the point I was trying to make. I am not offended by the name, I am offended by the fact that I am apparently making a fuss over nothing. The fact is that this is a popular cocktail in the USA, not in Ireland, not in the UK. I’m 21, I live in the UK, I drink cocktails but I have never heard of an “Irish car bomb” and I don’t think I am the only one. Just because something is not offensive in one culture doesn’t mean it is inoffensive in all cultures. Quite honestly if I saw this advertised in a bakery in the UK I would ask to speak to the manager/owner and would explain about the fact that some people may be upset/offended by this. In the context of being from the USA this name is inoffensive. However in the context of being from the UK it may well be seen as offensive. Just because people have differing opinions from one another doesn’t make the opinions invalid. We are all entitled to opinions and in my opinion the cocktail is offensive and I am more offended by being told to “get over myself, it’s only a name”. I thought Americans valued free speech, so I am using my right to free speech so that I may give my opinion.
Actually, this is a cocktail served in Ireland, the south at least. I recently went on holiday there, and our Irish guide recommended the members of the group to get one from the bar. He didn’t seem to take a hint of offence at the name, nor did any of the coach party members or people at the bar.
I ordered one in a pub in Killarney two years ago. Bartender didn’t bat an eye and just made it for us. We actually got got a few Irishmen in on it too and lined the bar and everyone dropped the shot at the same time and drank.
that’s because you were a tourist and he wanted your money
there are car bomb variations. You can get a NY Car Bomb, a Miami Car Bomb, a California Car Bomb, a Colorado Car Bomb and Tijuana Car Bomb. “Car Bomb” is the method of drink. Dropping a “bomb” into a weaker concoction. We don’t have car bombers in the US, but it sounds like we do if you were a foreigner reading our drink menu. So making a car bomb drink with irish, and proud to be irish, products, will result in the name “Irish Car Bomb”. I doubt the mixologists thought, ‘hey, lets be giant dicks and offend an entire nation.’ besides, if i had to guess, 99% of the drinks containing irish drink were developed and named by irish-americans in new england, or somewhere else considering we don’t know if the origin of the drink is USA. not telling you to chill out, but it’s kind of annoying to hear anti-american rants coming from people who think we developed an anti-irish drink. Hypocritical, really.
Yes. Well put!
The name did not come from Ireland’s past. The Bartender above told you where the name came from. It has nothing to do with Ireland at all except for the use of Irish beer and liquor to make the original mixed drink. I am Irish, myself, and I hope that BEB does not change the name of her cupcake. These look delicious and I am mature enough and intelligent enough to know that she was not trying to be offensive nor was the original creator of the mixed drink it was named after.
This site is for bakers, not for making a political statement. If you are that offended, then stop coming back.
By the way, I plan to make these as soon as I can!
Jesus freaking Christ you people are imbeciles!! A Car Bomb is a drink that they have been calling a Car Bomb since the prohibition days in the 1920s and 1930s. MEANING IT HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE IRA! The only reason it’s called an Irish Car Bomb is because it specifically uses IRISH ingredients. Otherwise it would just be a Car Bomb. The name was established well before the IRA decided to kill people. The purpose of the drink is to get drunk fast. The purpose of the cupcake is to eat delicious combinations of alcohol and chocolate. If you went and took out every offensive named alcoholic drink you’d have no more alcoholic drinks.
Besides all of this bad shit happens. You can either cry about it (which you seem to be quite adept at) or you can move on with your life. If the bad shit keeps you up at night, join the ARMY or become a cop. Just bitching about it won’t change anything. It just annoys the people around you.
If everyone censored their work so oversensitive people such as yourself wouldn’t get offended we’d have nothing left to write about since the ENTIRE post would be a disclaimer.
“Authentic Irish Bar”- well it can’t be that authentic. As a Scottish girl (with an Irish boyfriend) I visit Ireland frequently (that’s right, the real authentic Ireland- just to the left hand side of Great Britain) and I have never heard of this cocktail in my life. There is absolutely no way you would see this on a menu in Dublin, Belfast, or any other Irish city. I don’t think the Americans get how offensive this is? It takes a LOT to offend me but seeing terrorist acts against my country trivialised as fun snacks to eat for St Paddy’s day really is grinding my gears.
**right hand side, even! Whups!
Of course they don’t get how offensive it is. Like Katherine said, they don’t really get taught current events or history. They only learn about their own country.
My bf LOVES Irish Car Bombs (the drink, obviously). Have to make these for him! Great recipe, these cupcakes are too cute.
Very inappropriate name–no matter how good the recipe is.
Your name is very inappropriate too. I’m sure you have had it since you were born, but I’m still going to blame you for offending me because you made the post with that super offensive name. Please change your name immediately.
I just used these same cupcake liners on the batch I made yesterday! Love your blog and can’t wait to try out some of the recipes you’ve been posting lately – the frosting on these cupcakes looks so moist and tasty!
What store did you buy those cupcake liners from? Or where can I buy them online?
Hi Janelle, I bought the cupcake liners from Michaels when they had all of their St. Patrick’s Day stuff out.
These are gorgeous and all kinds of festive! Guinness is one of my favorite beers and I can’t imagine not loving these.
These cupcakes look amazing! I can’t wait to see more cocktail inspired cupcakes.
These look fantastic! I make an Irish Carbomb Cupcake too, but I do a whiskey glaze, followed by the Bailey’s frosting – works every time
Amazing cupcakes! What a fantastic idea!
yum! Love all the St. Patty’s recipes
The nickname for Patrick in Ireland is Paddy, not Patty.
jesus lady…
Both “Patty” and “Paddy” are used in North America. Jen is from Vancouver, B.C. Canada. Further, “Paddy” here is usually A) a rice paddy, or B) a DEROGATORY term for an Irishman. Enough said.
Why do you think it’s a derogatory name for an Irishman, though? Like where do you think ‘Paddy’ comes from? (clue… short for St Patrick, perhaps? Or are the 40 shades of green due to all the rice they grow?)
Why is “porchmonkey” a derogatory term for black people?
My GOD!!! This is insane…Can we get back to the cupcakes and forget about the political crap!!!! Im just trying to read reviews of how these cupcakes taste and tips on how to make them properly. If you want to talk politics and how you think the name of a DRINK that inspired these cupcakes is unacceptable…Go somewhere else. I am senstitive to the loss and plight of the people oversea’s and what you have gone through, but this is not the place for it. C’mon people. Its just a baked good. get over it.
Definitely my kind of cupcake! Cheers
Love the idea, I’ll be making these ASAP, even if i have to eat them all by myself( DARN)!!! Thanks!
I’m a lurker and love your recipes but I have to chime in today because WOW! people need to freakin calm down, it’s a name of a drink and if you google Irish Bomb Cupcakes there’s A LOT!!! are all the haters out there commenting on these peoples post too and telling them to change the name! are those haters also going into all the bars and telling them that there offended and won’t be visiting there establishments because they make them?? I wanted to have a food blog but after reading all the hate mail you guys receive I couldn’t do it..I would be pissed off all the dam time..If you look at the website Cupcakes Take The Cake they are featuring Irish Bomb Cupcakes too, so hey look more people to put down..go get em! Poor taste my butt..don’t change the name and keep on posting your fabulous recipes…Off my soapbox..but geez if you have nothing nice to say to her..stay off her blog..there just a name of a CUPCAKE..
You took the words right out of my mouth! Thank You Thank You!!!! I really can not even begin to imagine how much time and effort Michelle must put into this wonderful blog! I truly appreciate all the great recipes and stories she shares !! Keep your head held high Michelle , keep up the great job you do on your blogs. There is always one party pooper in the crowd!
OK Mandy, just follow the herd and sanction names that mean death and injury. Just because another blog has the name doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. And Smitten Kitchen, from where this recipe is lifted, actually changed the name on her blog. How do you like these names – Twin Towers Torpedo or Oklahoma Bomb Blitz for your next creation?
Dang, you sure are negative. I bet you’re a hit at parties! Who crapped in your corn flakes.
Sounds yummy. Do they have alcohol in them?
agreed, i’m glad that someone said something nice about the whole thing!
looks delicious! beautiful photographs
OMG!!!!! I got so excited, I had to do a little dance. These sound….what is a better word than incredible? Great job. I love the name and idea.
On another note…who seriously has the time to dis others? If you don’t like it, there is a little box you can click to close the window. I love the name (and immediately thought of a cocktail and nothing else) and the recipe. That is what caught my eye….the booze
Keep up the amazing ideas.
thank you! Finally a smart person, these other people need to get a life instead of leaving rude, and nasty comments.
I have time. Because reading about this made me shake, physically.
I think it’s important to be educated. If I was writing something that made people feel sick to their stomachs and I didn’t know it, I would want to know. If I was being culturally insensitive to millions of people, I would want to know it.
I’ve lived in the US for 17 years and never heard of this cocktail. I guess I’ve learned to avoid the kinds of bars where celebrating the IRA would be considered appropriate.
I know BEB didn’t meant to offend anyone and that it’s not her fault the drink is called that. But now that she knows how horrific this seems to many of us, maybe she’ll be horrified too.
I’m posting because I want Americans to understand this cultural disconnection between us – and because so many people reached out to me after 9/11 and said “why does the rest of the world hate us?”. Cultural sensitivity to the things other people hold dear is a good start in promoting peace.
It is not an exaggeration to suggest that this is in as poor taste as naming a foodstuff The Oklahoma City or The Toppling World Trade Center.
This is just a baking blog. Please, commenters, consider being kind to people who have lived through horrific times.
While I agree, it is an insensitive name, the name of the drink refers solely to the type of liquors involved in making the drink. (JD, typically a college kid orders this type of drink. The drink is not intended to celebrate the IRA.) If you’ll notice, many bartenders have commented and said precisely that. The “car” in question refers to the glass of Guinness and Jameson. The “bomb” is the shot of Bailey’s. Guinness, Jameson and Bailey’s make it “Irish.”
As the bartenders above have stated several times, there are also “California Car Bombs,” “Malibu Car Bombs,” etc. When it comes to drinks, a “car bomb” simply means the method of dropping a shot of one type of liquor into a glass of another type of liquor.
Guys, do some research before you react. I know, it’s so hard to go to Google first. Here, I’ll make it easy for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_car_bomb
Lauren, would you be just as blase if the cupcake and cocktail referred to September 11th or the Holocaust? I can appreciate the fact that BEB didn’t mean to offend anyone but what really makes me sick is the people commenting on this telling everyone who is offended to calm down. Imagine the bloody uproar if it was an Irish blogger baking a twin towers cake to celebrate the fourth of July. Use your brain, FFS.
JP, stop trolling this awesome blog. I agree that when I heard the name of this cupcake, I also immediately thought of the shot/drink. Not a murderous rampage. People that are complaining about this name are just trying to get a rise out of anyone that’ll read their complaints. You’re one of those obviously. Go troll on Yahoo Answers. That site was made for idiots like you.
You sound so dumb right now.
If people disagree with you, it does not make them trolls.
If people want to voice their opinion about something that hurts, you do not have the right to tell them to be quiet.
If people want to educate others, it is not your business to tell them to stop.
Then maybe you shouldn’t post about how un-educated Americans are. It only feeds the cycle of hate. I am truely sorry if the name has offended you, I can see why the name could be offensive. However, Michelle has not personally named these cupcakes herself and has meant no harm.
@Mandy Scheider, I am not a “hater” as you so eloquently put it but I am someone living in the UK knowing exactly what damage has been done to people’s lives and families because of Irish car bombs (the real ones) and I have honestly never heard of a cocktail called an “Irish car bomb” and I suspect some of the posters above haven’t either. Just because to you it is just a name of a cupcake doesn’t mean that other people don’t have the right to get upset or a little offended by it. If like me, you’ve never heard of a cocktail called an Irish car bomb, it seems a little rude to see a recipe on a website with such a distasteful name. Before you start lecturing me I would like to say that I am not in any way accusing BEB of any hatred. I think it may be wise for commenters from both sides of the Atlantic to enlighten themselves on why this is offensive to some people. There are plenty of names that I am sure Americans would not like to be given to cupcakes because they would find them offensive. Before you start accusing people of being “haters” it might be a good idea for you to perhaps think of both sides of an argument/opinion which you do not seem to be able to do.
Hear, hear.
How far back would you care to go? After all, in history there were many native peoples that were harmed on many continents, by England. Ireland is no exception. The bottom line is violence and dominance is heartbreaking. Let us NOT dominate a lovely food blog with politics. However it is good to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with real history along with the good foods.
I made the cupcakes and they are FANTASTIC. Thank you Brown Eyed Baker!
I’m not ignoring the fact that the recipe sounds gorgeous and I’m not trying to be political, I’m simply trying to explain to some posters why some of us are offended. None of us are blaming BEB. This is the first time I have ever heard of such a name, unfortunately this happens to be the site where I discovered it. I’m not saying BEB or anyone who enjoys the cocktails/cupcakes are insensitive/whatever and I don’t appreciate the dig about England harming people on other continents, that was not, and still is not, my point.
I also find it hard to understand how a country that celebrates St Patrick’s Day in a huge way can in good faith drink a cocktail/eat a cupcake named after a dark period of Irish history. It is almost like the troubles in Ireland are being glorified.
Maybe someone can come up with a delicious boozy orange cupcake with the words Agent Orange in the title.
There is an Agent Orange cocktail. It has bourbon, rum, apple schnapps, triple sec, vodka, canadian whiskey, grenadine and orange juice in it.
I would I would so eat that! Boozy orange would be awesome with any name on it!
Katherine ,I”m afraid England has done a lot of Damage around the world
and have a lot to answer for because of what they have done to the Irish people including leaving millions to starve to death in the 1840s even though there was plenty of food being produced in the country . England has plundered ,raped and murdered their way around the world for centuries, so the next time you are offered an Irish car bomb and feel offended, well examine your own conscience as well
Slan agus Beanacht
GET OVER YOURSELF LADY!!!!
I think you’re taking this too far now Jenna. As Terry Pratchett says, “Multiple exclamation marks, the sure sign of an insane mind.” Katherine is being reasonable, making her points eloquently and with reasoned argument. You, however, are making it personal, which is really not cool. Now, I know this is the internet, and people can act however they like, anonymously. But this particular space is a personal blog, and I know that if you were leaving comments like the above to fellow readers on my blog, I would be pretty unimpressed. Chill out, and just enjoy your cupcakes- by all accounts, they *are* delicious
Yeah, Jenna
You need to watch those exclamation marks. They are seriously taking it “too far.” The crotchety old ladies that lurk baking blogs might find it offensive. LOL you people are so hilarious.
PS: Anyone who thinks that using multiple exclamation marks is a sign of insanity is clearly a wackjob. Also, I never made the cupcakes and probably never will. I just felt the need to stop and point out how ridiculous you sound.
I love the presentation of these cupcakes!
The only thing is…you left out the measurement for the baking soda.
Oops, sorry about that! It is 1.5 teaspoons, and I made sure to fix it above. Thanks for the catch!
I made these using the recipe on smitten kitchen last year
And they were the hit of the party. Your recipe
Is very similar
Wow! These look like a lot of work but very delicious! Mind sending some my way
?
These are my go-to cupcakes! everyone absolutely adores them! Yours look so much prettier than mine!
Let’s hear it for the booze!! I’ve been thinking along the same lines, combining 1iquor into baked goods. It’s a win-win. Look forward to your combos.
Love the cupcakes! Hate the drama that some people are bringing to the party, here!
Well I suppose us Brits are just a bunch of sticks in the mud. I guess I’ll make some ‘Dachau Gas Chamber’ cocktails and if any Jewish people get upset tell them not to be so darn dramatic. Or maybe some nice Twin Tower layer cakes, and if any of you Americans get upset… well, you shouldn’t be bringing any drama to the party now shoud you?!
dude, you are talking about a fucking cupcake! Gas chamber cupcake? Are you insane? Oh no “twin tower layer cake” now that is just crazy. I guess you Brits have a really common shot that it names “twin towers” something or other? The “irish car bomb” has been so common here for so long and no big deal, but talk about putting it in a cup cake and the world is coming to an end! Fucking stupid.
You take my breath away…
Wow, some people seriously need to lighten up! My boyfriend loves ICB’s and I can’t wait to make these for him, thanks for posting
Where did you get the cupcake liners?
Hi Kimberly, I got them at Michael’s.
Thank you!
And you thank you for your blog and sharing your talents with us!
I’m not too sure about the name but the recipe and the final product look great.
Okay, this is serious business here. I need to get some Guinness pronto!
Oh, I need to get on this! I made some homemade Bailey’s last night ( and, um *cough* had a couple of shots), which I’m definitely using for these awesome looking cupcakes! Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!
I think “Irish Cake Bomb” is a fitting name change. Given the Irish ingredients, it’s cake, and it’s good with an explosion of flavors! This is what I will call the recipe.
This has been a very stimulating post.
Holy hell yes please! I cannot tell you how much I am drooling right now over these! I love Irish Car Bombs and then to put it into a cupcake?! ::drools:: I am bowing down to you my Brown Eyed baker, you are a genius!
Maybe you should include a disclaimer like, “No Irish were harmed in the making of these cupcakes” so people don’t get thier panties in a runch.
They look so delish! Can’t wait to try!!
LOL TERRORISM
HAHA THAT’S ALMOST AS FUNNY AS WOMEN’S RIGHTS LOLOLOL
You made my day!
people are taking this way to far….i mean come on..its named after the drink..
and what’s the drink named after again?
You should read the bartender’s explanation further up the page.
I just made this cake last night! How funny to see it on this morning on your blog. I made mine into a single layer cake (with 6 cupcakes left over), and frosted it with the peanut butter frosting recipe from her (which uses the natural stuff, just peanuts and salt!) http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chocolate-Cake-with-Milk-Chocolate-Peanut-Butter-Frosting-and-Peanut-Butter-Brittle-351020
Just in case you’re ever interested in a new’do for the cake! So, so, tasty!
These are so wrong, they are right. What a great idea for a St. Patty’s day treat!
Paddy, not Patty. Patty is an abbreviation for Patricia………
PATTY PATTY PATTY PATTY PATTY PATTY PATTY.
God, lady. Shut up.
Holy troll!
In America, the holiday itself is commonly known as St. Patty’s. D’s an T’s are very confusing syllables. See if you can tell them apart in regular conversation. (V’s and B’s are confusing, too.)
Also, please stop getting so offended that you have to comment. You’re simply setting yourself up for rude people’s ensuing comments. (yes, I’m calling myself rude.) I know it’s annoying to see something pop up multiple times, but you can’t correct everyone’s ignorance, and some people will start doing it on purpose, just to annoy you. Like Shelle, apparently.
I made these last year from Smitten Kitchen! But I did a whiskey caramel center to mix it up a bit…
The Bailey’s Frosting is truly lifechanging. Seriously.
OH MY….
These look and sound delicious!! Love all the green. Can’t wait to make it! Bookmarked and stumbled
I must have these, they sound absolutely AH-mazing….(and the drink is delicious if you can get it down…its been a few years since I could!)
I had three one St. Patricks one year and literally couldn’t stand up.
And the fact that these cupcakes are filled makes them that much more fabulous!! So fun
I made a different version of these last night, sans the filling. I used Young’s Double Chocolate Stout and the recipe for both cake and Irish Cream frosting differ but they were DELICIOUS! The Young’s brings an excellent flavor to the cupcakes. I posted them on my blog this morning because they were that good! Sent the rest with hubby to work though…I’d eat them all!
Guinness, Bailey’s and Jameson all in one recipe! YUM! And how perfectly iced these little darlin’s are! This is a perfect St. Patty’s recipe! Dessert tomorrow, then…
those are beautiful! and look so delicious! i agree that turning drinks into food is a wonderful thing!
Thank you so much for sharing these! I have wanted to make them for a year now and spotted them on your blog. I made these tonight and they turned out wonderfully! I’m super excited to share these with my friends over some green beer tomorrow…I linked you here http://damegoodeats.blogspot.com/2011/03/irish-car-bomb-cupcakes.html
thanks again!
I just made these and they are simply DELICIOUS! My roommates ate up half of them before I could even pack them up for work. I did sub greek yogurt for the sour cream (because that’s what I had in the fridge) and they were still amazing. Can’t wait to share them! Thank you for the recipe.
I made these tonight to take to the office tomorrow. They smell delicious! I can’t wait to see what people think tomorrow. Thanks for the recipe.
I made these to bring to work tomorrow — both my husband and I almost passed out from how delicious they were. Cannot wait to hear what everyone has to say tomorrow. I did leave out the ganache thinking that ALL the alcohol would make them NSFW. I will make them again for this weekend WITH the ganache
I’ve been wanting to try these for years – so glad to see a recipe for them just in time for St. Patty’s. Quick question – what tip did you use to pipe your frosting (or how)? It looks so pretty and much better than my slapping it on with a spatula!
Hi Michelle, I used a Wilton 1M tip and just sort of swirled it around. Enjoy the cupcakes!
I’m attempting to make these now! Do they need to be refrigerated once they are filled and frosted?
Nope! You can store them at room temperature.
Thank you! They turned out great. I can’t wait to enjoy them tomorrow!
I’ve made these a bunch of times from smitten kitchen and they are amazing. The only improvement I’ve found is using a Sweet/Milk Stout. The cupcakes are much more yummy without the dry bitterness of the Guinness. They are a hit every time I make them. FYI, the same argument about the name took place on smitten’s site and she ended up changing the name to Chocolate Whiskey & Beer Cupcakes. But I like Irish Cake Bomb that someone mentioned above.
I made these cupcakes last night and they are AMAZING! They disappeared very quickly at work today
I linked to these in my blog: http://jaclynscookies.blogspot.com/
Thank you for sharing this fabulous recipe!
Great recipe! I did a post about St. Patty’s Day feasts and linked to this recipe in a shoutout. Thanks for posting it! Here’s my link.
http://reluctantwwfoodie.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/a-st-pattys-day-feast/
I made these for work today and everyone loved them! Thanks so much for sharing this great recipe!
Firstly, I am IRISH. I live in Sligo, situated in the North West of the country.
I love Brown Eyed Baker and all recipes she has bashed out, stellar.
I do however wish she did something a little bit more, considerate with her take in this cupcake.
Americans/Canadians who are telling others to “GET OVER IT” and being over all pretty incosiderate, nasty and arrogant about Ireland’s not just historic but ongoing political events, please think about what you are saying for 2 seconds and wonder how you would feel about Europe celebrating on the 4th of July with 9/11 themed cocktails and cupcakes.
A little thoughtand consideration please, for us Irish.
BEB, stunning recipe and stunning pictures as always.
Full of bacon, cabbage and trifle! No drink for me today though!
Look at me defying my sterotype
OK, all you people who are upset about the name……just sit down, take a few deep breaths, count to ten……have a shot of Bushmill’s……just try to relax!
This was wonderful! Family loved them… Thanks so much for the idea!
Oh and just for sh**s and giggles….
Google results:
“St. Patty’s day” = About 33,500,000 results
“St. Paddy’s day” = About 1,200,000 results
When in America, dear Catherine…
I am not in the United States of America. And neither was St. Patrick.
Doesn’t matter, we are…
And Google is NEVER wrong
Anyway, time to stop stalking the page and more along. Gotta see what other great recipes Michelle has come up with.
I thought St Patrick’s day was an Irish holiday?
Maybe the Irish should adopt the Fourth of July and rename it something like, oh I don’t the, the Fortha July. And make Twin Towers cocktails and cakes then when you lot get your panties in a bunch say “hey stop being so dramatic, it’s in the past, man!”
So, all of my Irish friends (there are a lot of Irish people in this country) should just not celebrate the holiday because they are in America? Just as I would expect any Americans in other countries would celebrate the 4th of July simply because it is a holiday with meaning to them. I myself am not Irish and do not wear green or celebrate the holiday, but I do not go around bashing others who do celebrate the holiday simply because they aren’t in Ireland.
I am an American and I wouldn’t sit around throwing a hissy fit because someone made a twin towers cocktail. So yeah, I would say you are dramatic. No one said “Wow you people, getting upset over car bombs. How unreasonable.” They are saying you are unreasonable for getting upset over a CUPCAKE. Perhaps if you want to do society a service, you could stop crying over this cupcake recipe and help out at a local charity. Jesus.
OH AND ACTUALLY I do donate to local charities, in fact £20 comes out my account to the local childrens hospital here in Edinburgh every month. And if you think commenting on my blog saying I’m a drama queen is going to bother me, the only folk who read it are my Scottish and Irish friends who also think “Irish Car Bomb” is a sick name for a cupcake/cocktail as we lived through the Troubles.
My friend moved here directly from Ireland. I had him try the “Irish Car Bomb” and he said it was something he would have again. He didn’t go on criticizing the name. As to having a cocktail named “Twin Towers” I had a family member die in the towers that day and I would in no way be offended. If it was a good drink I would probably say a toast to my relative and then drink it.
You sound so dumb.
St. Patrick’s Day is actually a Catholic holiday. It goes wherever the Catholics go. Which, coincidentally, is everywhere. Same goes for Valentine’s Day (which was originally St. Valentine’s Day, and had nothing to do with hearts and cards). Also, it isn’t coincidence that Mardi Gras is always on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, when Lent starts. (hint: that’s another holiday with Catholic origins.) Christmas is a Christian holiday, which was stolen from a pagan celebration of the winter solstice, and Easter is the Christian version of the pagan celebration of the spring solstice.
“Google before you post is the new think before you speak.”
Also, getting in an uproar on the internet over American insensitivity doesn’t do anything but cause more problems. Especially when it’s over the name of a cupcake recipe.
AMAZING! I brought them to a St. Patrick’s Party tonight and they were a HUGE HIT! Thanks!
something to read while enjoying your cakes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Northern_Ireland_Troubles_and_peace_process
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,62151,00.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10629358
http://militarytimes.com/valor/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlKX-m17C7U
x
OMG- These are insanely ridiculously delicious! We purchased, we created and we CONQUERED! Each cupcake weighs seemingly a pound (it’s the butter) and were the most decadent treats to eat and share. I work at a high school, shared them with my teachers and staff and felt like I was gifting precious little cups of St. Patrick’s Day “forbidden” goodness…fantastic all around!
“The Omagh bombing was a paramilitary car bomb attack carried out by the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA), a splinter group of former Provisional Irish Republican Army members opposed to the Belfast Agreement, on Saturday 15 August 1998, in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Twenty-nine people died as a result of the attack and approximately 220 people were injured. The attack was described by the BBC as “Northern Ireland’s worst single terrorist atrocity” and by the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, as an “appalling act of savagery and evil”. Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness condemned the attack and the RIRA itself.
The victims included people from many different backgrounds: Protestants, Catholics, a Mormon teenager, five other teenagers, six children, a woman pregnant with twins, two Spanish tourists, and other tourists on a day trip from the Republic of Ireland.”
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omagh_bombing
Enjoy your cupcakes.
oh we will, Iain, we will….
yeah, a cupcake is a cupcake right!?
I did enjoy them! They were delicious!
The cupcakes look delicious and I’m sure brown eyed baker is a lovely person:)
I AM IRISH, born and brought up in Derry, Northern Ireland (Catholic side) during the Troubles and I can’t even begin to tell you how offensive I find the name. If you too have had friends hurt and traumatised by bomb blasts, then by all means name your cakes after them, but if you havent I would love it if you would change the name : )
Please don’t trivialise our history – Teresa x
I made these last year and they were delicious. The frosting is amazing!
On the subject of the name: This is a drink that’s available at any bar in the U.S. that serves Guinness. It may not be on the menu, but it is available. We also have drinks called sake bombs, Jagerbombs and cherry bombs. They all are similar in that there is a larger drink in which you drop a shot of something and then chug the whole thing.
Now, I completely understand why the name is so offensive to those who live or hail from Ireland. But please understand that BEB did not make up this name, and changing the name on this blog would not change the name of the drink or what the vast majority of Americans would think when they saw a recipe for chocolate-Guinness cupcakes with chocolate-whiskey ganache and Baileys frosting. It is a cupcake based on a drink with an offensive (to those who know) name.
However, it should be mentioned that A LOT of names for cocktails in the United States are offensive to someone. As a redhead, I can’t tell you how many times men have thought it was hilarious/cute to buy me a “Redheaded Slut” shot. There are also such gems as the Buttery Nipple, Agent Orange (as someone mentioned above) and one that is too gross to even type here but ends with the phrase “in the toilet.” I would not be at all surprised if bars in the U.S served something called the World Trade Center or the Oklahoma City or the Taliban IED. (Actually, I just Googled it and there *IS* a drink called an IED, developed by Marines who served in Afghanistan). I mean, our nation’s capital has an (American) football team called the Redskins. We just aren’t very PC.
So, I do think it’s important for us all to understand the history and ongoing problems in Ireland (which we very rarely hear about here in the United States), but lashing out at BEB will not stop extremists or even make a tiny dent in the number of people here who call the associated drink an offensive name. I would guess the only real way to make a change would be to talk to the American suppliers of Guinness, Baileys and Jamison directly.
Jen, thank you for a much more thoughtful response than the many insensitive “Get over it” comments. I understand your point, but I would argue that “the vast majority of Americans” associating those three ingredients with that cocktail is overstating the case. I’m American and had never heard of it–it may be more common in some areas. But that’s beside the point, because, as someone pointed out earlier, it’s no big deal to accidentally cause offense, but once you’ve been made aware that you’re causing offense, you correct the mistake and don’t do it again. I did not blame BEB for not realising this was offensive, but now that she knows and has neither changed the offending name, nor responded to the (pretty reasonable) protests in any way (at least I haven’t seen any) to explain why she thinks it necessary to keep the name, I’m afraid I’ve lost a great deal of respect for and interest in this blog. Again, I don’t expect BEB or anyone else to keep others from calling a cocktail what they will, but she could call the cupcakes what she liked and still give its relationship to the cocktail in the background. To me, that BEB has not addressed or acknowledged those she offended communicates that she doesn’t care.
jdens – First of all, my apologies that you are offended by the name of the cocktail and of the cupcakes. I did not respond to posts because it clearly states in the write-up of this recipe that the cupcakes are fashioned after a specific cocktail. I did not make up the name of the cocktail, nor did I originally create these cupcakes. I did not change the name because calling them “Guinness, whiskey & Baileys cupcakes” does not accurately portray that they are made after a very specific drink (and not just a random combination of liquor ingredients). Just as renaming margarita cupcakes (also very popular) “lime & tequila cupcakes” takes away from the essence of what the cupcake is emulating. It was obviously never my intention to offend anyone, Irish or otherwise, in the process of sharing this cupcake recipe.
But the name clearly does offend a lot of Irish people; I’ve seen at least two or three comments from Irish folk born and bred (as well as Brits) stating that the name of the cocktail is upsetting. Even a disclaimer in the recipe would be nice, as you clearly have a wide international readership. No you didn’t come up with the name for the cocktail but does that really make it okay?
So you are saying that the ingredients of these cupcakes are actually explosive.
SUPER LOL
I wonder why the author only responded when someone called her out on not responding. Saying, “But I explained it already,” doesn’t seem to me to be a reasonable excuse for ignoring people’s concerns.
I’m from Ireland and i’d like to throw my two cents in if that’s okay. I find this all quite offensive really, I had heard about the drink called an ‘irish Car Bomb’ a few years ago and I think it’s horrible to name something like that about such a disgusting and awful period of Irish history. Try and order one over here and you’d get thrown out sharpish.
I know that BEB did not make up the name herself but to have something called an ‘Irish Car Bomb Cupcake’ to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is quite insensitive I feel, you’d never celebrate the fourth of July with a 9/11 cake.
Of course not. I’d celebrate 9/11 with a 9/11 cupcake. I’d celebrate the 4th of July with a “Dead Redcoat” themed cupcake.
This is the most amazing comment thread I have ever read on a baking blog! Kudos to everyone who chimed in!
Who said bakers were all fluff?
Love the cupcakes.
Love the history reminders.
Love the passion
I would have use exclamation marks on all sentences, but I did not want to be considered insane
If you haven’t seen it already, you might like the cookbook “Booze Cakes” by Krystina Castella and Terry Lee Stone.
OMG! Love that book….
especially:
http://www.lemondrop.com/2010/06/25/blue-hawaii-pineapple-upside-down-cupcakes/
Oh my! Those look and sound awesome. I’m not a fan of beer, but the few times I had an Irish Car Bomb, I did like it! And I LOVE Bailey’s!
I was looking for something new and fun to make for this past St Patrics day and came across this recipe. These were, without a doubt, the most delicious cupcakes I ever made! They were absolutely awesome! A total hit and so pretty too! Thank you for sharing. I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes. Very nice website! I am an avid cook/baker and really appreciate having new places to go for recipes!
OK, I’m 90% sure I’m crazy here, but … that frosting’s butter-to-sugar ratio looks totally insane to me. But that’s what you meant? It’s not “2 sticks” or anything?
Cupcakes are cooling; ganache and frosting will come in the morning. Then, when I take them to work, all shall love me and despair. MWAH HA HA HA HA!
Hi Maggie, Nope, it’s 2 cups
Love that frosting! 
>Love that frosting!
WOW. Yeah, me too! I held my breath, made it as written, and I think it’s the first frosting I’ve ever really loved! (I find most to be too sweet, but this was perfect!)
They were a huge hit at work — everyone’s saying they’re the best cupcakes they’ve ever had. Thank you so much for another knock-out recipe!
Just made these awsome tasting cupcakes. My friends and family were blown away by the taste . No pun intended. Thank you so much for thr recipe.
Jen, concerning your response: A lot of offensive sounding cocktails are ordered by a lot of offensive drunks. I am assuming one is sober when one bakes and posts. Are there any cupcakes on your site called Redheaded Slut? Names like that are abusive. There are other alternatives. How about Guiness Blast cupcakes? Or Guiness chocolate bombs?
And just a little extra knowledge..cocktails aren’t usually created and named by “drunken people”..it is the bartender as well as mixologists hired by specific liquor distributors who create such recipies. Offensive names are a marketing ploy..and it actually is quite brilliant..a Red Headed Slut, which is a delicious shot, btw, really is shocking enough to stick in your mind instantly(obviously)..and you will only order what you remember, correct?? Even if you are too shy or offended to actually say the name..most will refer to it so that I know exactly what they are ordering. Some people will order the shot of offensive name simply to “shock” by saying it out loud..thus falling right into the marketing ploy. Genius.Apparently worked on you, huh?
I don’t know if someone posted this question but, what icing tip is the one you used to make these cupcakes? I simply love how they look!!!
Yaneri
Yaneri, she did…
Michelle March 16, 2011 at 11:39 pm
Hi Michelle, I used a Wilton 1M tip and just sort of swirled it around. Enjoy the cupcakes!
Happy baking!
These cupcakes were simply delicious!! I made mine without the ganache (I found the recipe the morning of St. Pat’s and didn’t have the time to make it, I wanted the cupcakes ASAP!), and they were very very tasty. I have mounds of frosting left, however. I MUST find another use for it, pronto!
Thanks BEB, they were wonderful!
If my coworkers brought things like this to work, I’d take a LOT less vacation and sick time!
I will definitely be trying this recipe!
i cant believe i read that entire argument… im stoned as hell
LOL same reason i commented pal!
HAHAHAAHA seriously my eyes want to be crossed now. I was just looking for the recipe!! Didn’t expect all that crazy talk! Whew!
So how about a “puttanesca sauce recipe” next? lol
Oh my – now that’s the way to do St. Patrick’s Day. The filling looks too good to resist.
Hmmmm…wondering if there is a non-boozy adaptation of this. Don’t worry, I totally intend on making these for a party coming up very soon, but for the “underage” folk, and some of the HRs that don’t drink at all…I’m wondering. If you replace Guinness with coffee (atrocity!) and the Bailey’s with “Irish Cream Flavored” coffee creamer and nix the whiskey from the ganache…would it make a reasonable (if not somewhat boring) substitute?
Shall I be the last to comment on this subject? Probably not… I love this blog-the recipes and the photos are awesome and I read it all the time (via foodbuzz) and sometimes I make a comment. I’m a child of the seventies and born and bred in the UK, so I grew up with the IRA being quite a dominant force in my childhood. I didn’t see above anyone saying specifically what the name means to them, but for those of you that can be bothered to read this – this is what it means to me..
- it means my Mom being totally petrified to go shopping in the local town centre (Birmingham) for the fear that there would be a car bomb. At the time, the IRA had bombed numerous pubs in Birmingham. One of them was right next to where the cinema was, slap bang in the centre, and I remember every time as a young ‘un walking past that doorway, remembering there had been a bomb there, and lives lost.
- When I was a little older, I distinctly remember 2 soldiers being killed near where I went to university in Stafford, they were bombed. Young men in their late teens / early twenties as I was at the time it happened.
- A little older still – Omagh. I remember watching this on TV. The total devastation on the streets of that town. A town quite literally torn apart.
So, for some a tasty cocktail, and for others a bunch of sobering memories – those years and those events were not known as ‘the atrocities’ and ‘the troubles’ for nothing. I’m not criticising anyone’s view point though. I wish I thought it was a lovely cocktail too, and I wanted to tell you all what went through my mind when I read the title.
So, it’s a thumbs up for cupcakes and BEB, and a thumbs down to terrorism and those horrible memories.
I absolutely love Irish car bombs! I can’t believe how much they taste like chocolate milk but get you totally messed up! Hahah! I can’t wait to make these! They sound delicious! Thank you!
Made these for a girls night in and they were a HUGE hit. We each poured a pint of vanilla porter and had a cupcake or two and it was FABULOUS! Thanks for the recipe.
I have just stumbled this site and have received a huge shock to my system. To attach such flagrant disregard to other peoples views and feelings is disgusting. In 1984, in Brighton which is in the South East of England myself (aged 11) and my family where staying in the Grand hotel. Unfortunately for us so was the Prime Minister at the time, Margaret Thatcher who the IRA targeted by bombing the hotel. We were thundered awake in the small hours by what I can only describe as the whole world exploding (or thats how it seemed at the time). What followed was pure panic, my mother screaming for me and my brother..my father behaving in a way I had never seen him behave before (or since), adults everywhere crying, terrible shock and fear. Five people lost their lives that night. To this day I have nightmares about that night.
Show some respect at least for others and change this horrendous..I can barely believe I am saying it…name for a cupcake!
I similarly stumbled and felt the same. It seems from other commenters that the misery and fear created from terrorism is only ‘real’ if it happens to Americans; everyone else should just get over it, and not care that a cupcake is belittling the pain of murderous violence (violence that is still ongoing, with one carbomb killing one person this week, and another defused).
I stumbled the same, the disregard some people have for others is astounding. Clearly by finding something offensive you are being a troll. I’ll ‘get over it’ when the violence stops.
Hi Michelle, i love all of your recipes and appreciate all of the wonderful posts and pics. keep doing what you do. <3
btw, as soon as i have the money to buy all of the alcohol, i’m going to try this delicious looking recipe!
Just a quickie…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12947225
This happened last week.
I understand that those who are not from the States have found the name to be a bit offensive. It is a cocktail, I’m sure the author of this recipe had no malicious intent when she wrote it. She was not trying to offend anyone, or hurt their sensibilities. Sometimes, I think it is okay to simply accept things, you may call this recipe whatever you like, but since she is following the cocktails ingredients to a T, I understand why she used the name.
Being that I am from an Irish family, I have heard many stories of Ireland during the time that the IRA was active. I’ve still not been into the North of Ireland, simply because of my Mother was never allowed to visit (for it was dangerous to) during her childhood. Every country has had gloomy periods in the past, and Ireland has experienced more than it’s share. It wouldn’t be right to forget their past, especially not during the time of The Troubles, but one has to differentiate between an actual jab at the country and a harmless name of a cocktail. I doubt many American’s know much about the IRA or what they did. All they know is that there is a cocktail that uses Guinness, Baileys, and whiskey and it taste like chocolate milk. I truly doubt anyone who drinks it is trying to offend anyone.
Wow, it is pretty amazing how a cupcake recipe has sent people into a political rampage. It makes me quite sad reading these posts. Just remember…it’s a CUPCAKE!!!!!!!
I just received these cupcakes as a gift for my recent birthday, the recipe found on this website. They were delicious. I didn’t see the discussion on their name until recently, so forgive my late entry into this discussion.
A few people tried to speak common sense, but I think most of those people were tunnel visioning a little bit. The fact is that a well established cocktail is called an “Irish Car Bomb.” Appropriate or not, these cupcakes are named what they are because they contain the ingredients necessary in the cocktail bearing the same name.
There are loads of cocktails with wierd names, it is strange that these people chose to zero in on this one in particular. Leaving alone the fact that I am Irish, and although I do not condone their methods, the IRA was fighting for the independance of their country, people tend to make light of many serious issues to try and come to terms with those issues. One of the methods they use to do this is by naming drinks: “3-Mile Island” – traumatic nuclear melt down; now a drink, “Bloody Mary” – Queen Mary I bruned hundreds of religious dissenters at the stake; now a drink, “Kamikaze” – pilots who killed themselves and hundreds of allied troops in WWII; now a drink, “Liquid Cocaine” – drug that kills millions between it’s use and international traffic; now a drink. I could go on for hours listing drinks that fit this criteria, people need to get a perspective.
The nursery rhyme, “Ring Around the Rosie” is about the Black Death and we teach our children to recite it. The bottom line is that we as a populous cope with serious tragedy in many ways. Maybe the inventor of the Irish Car Bomb created the drink as a reminder so that people would not forget the tragedies that unfolded at the hands of the IRA.
Ian – congratulations for the most misinformed post in the history of the internet!
1. The IRA was not fighting for the independance of their country. The IRA are from Ireland, which is an independant and sovereign country, it attempted to bomb the British govt into handing over land that is part of the UK. They had no mandate from anyone in the republic ever. You cannot be Irish otherwise you would know this. I suspect you are American/Irish i.e. American. Not Irish. Apologies if I am wrong, if I am then you have obviously been living in Ireland with you head up your arse.
2. Ring around the Rosie is not about the black death.
http://www.snopes.com/language/literary/rosie.asp
3. People are not still being killed by the 3 mile island meltdown, Bloody Mary or Kamikaze pilots, they are still being killed by Irish Car Bombs.
4. Cocaine does not kill millions. I am not advocating the use of it but it doesnt kill anywhere near that many, a couple of thousand in the US (thats related as well not just from OD’s). Most of these make the choice to take cocaine, no-one chooses to be blown up by a car bomb.
The point is that this maybe a well known cocktail in some parts of the US but it is not in the rest of the world and specifically the UK and Ireland.
The people in Northern Ireland cannot forget car bombings because they are still happening.
IEDs are still killing people. Americans, even. We still have a drink named after them. I think Americans use these names to add a flare of victory to tragedy. As all of you “non-Americans” love to point out, we are arrogant. We are stupid. We are uneducated. Apparently we’re just assholes. Truly, I think we name these things simply to shed some light on bad situations. We like to cause shock and awe.
If you really feel like being offended, visit 4chan. All of those “OMG EEEWWW” videos out there? Most of them came from us. Arguing incessantly that we’re being arrogant and rude and offensive isn’t going to win. It’s what we do. Our television is filled with rudeness, crudeness, offensiveness, and just plain stupidity.
I do understand the atrocity, I realize bad things happened. Unfortunately, we won’t change the names. We won’t realize how “poorly” our cocktails are named, because we, as a generalization, don’t care.
There are PLENTY of drink names that offend me, and drinking “rituals,” such as calling the last person to finish an ICB a “faggot” in a chant. Should I spend hours and days arguing with people over it? No. It’s a lot of anger, and a lot of hatred, which will take so much away from the beauty that DOES exist in this world. It will even start to take years off of your life, when you could be enjoying the sweets, the drinks, and the foods.
I am truly sorry for what is happening to your country and your culture, I am, but name-calling will not win anyone over. Ever.
These look amazing! Thank you for the great recipe, can’t wait to try them! Neither can my husband =)
I make a recipe similar to this one, but I make the ganache first and then make the batter. Just before baking, I pop a piece of frozen ganache into the center of the batter. The center stays all melty and gooey, even after these bad boys have cooled all the way. It takes a little extra effort, but it is well worth it!
These are great! I made them for St. Patrick’s Day and brought one to a friend of mine who owns a bar next door to my office. He loved it so much, he asked me to bring a batch to his birthday party this weekend.
The fact that you’re offending so many people with your choice in naming, pretty much defeats the point of cupcakes as a whole. Or baking in general. You know that whole making people happy thing that us bakers go for.
And it’s remarkably disappointing that you haven’t respected the opinions of your readers, who have made very thoughtful, personal comments, and presented their views in a polite manner. For that reason I don’t think I’ll be following you any longer. You can’t respond and say you never intended to offend anyone and then CONTINUE offending them. That makes your previous statement void.
Do I think you should submit to everyone’s opinion about everything? Of course not, but really, it’s not hard to come up with a cute/creative name that honors the Irish. “Guinness, Baileys and Irish Whiskey cupcakes” was not your only other option.
Its a popular shot! One which I have regularly. I recently was in St. Maarten where several travelers never heard of the sho. locals and other travelers took part & they became a nightly ritual with everyone. No 1 took offense but rather knew it was a popular shot & not focused on horrible ugly terrorists. I respect your opinion but no need to beat down the author of this blog. Share positive energy & know it was written without harm but rather based on a cocktail. Maybe you should try 1 & see where the name comes from. I hope this eases you a bit & you can continue to enjoy the yummy blog. I know I will.
Right because this is the place to dispute the name of a cocktail (that didn’t originate with this author) which someone has incorporated into a cupcake recipe. Take it up with the people who name and sell these “violent” drinks, not someone who wrote a recipe on the internet that you just happened to stumble on, unless you are the kind of people who search specifically for these things in order to stir something up and give people headache’s. To “Bill”: First, the Black Death is another name for the Bubonic Plague, so Ian was quite right in his statement about “Ring around the Rosie”. Second, it’s true those particular drinks you named might not still kill people, but there are still drinks that are named after things that DO still kill people. Perhaps you (and everyone else that has made a big stink about this) should continue your crusade against those that created (or create recipes) with these names: Mudslide, Hurricane, The Flaming Volcano, Earthquake, Deadly Nightshade, Agent Orange, etc….Looks like you all will be very busy. Meanwhile, I will be doing something much more fulfilling and worth my time by making these DELICIOUS looking cupcakes and having people stuff their faces with them
But it’s complacency that often leads to atrocities. Why do people not say swear words? Because it could be offensive to people. Now this has been proven to be an offensive name, surely people should stop using it. I know that if someone found something I said offensive, I definitely wouldn’t say it again. Just politeness really.
Cupcakes don’t kill people. People kill people.
People are still commenting on this? Haha! Regardless of whatever the name is of the cupcake or the drink its named after, how about you all just shut the hell up, try the recipe out, enjoy the tasty cupcake and go on about your lives! That’s what I’m going to do now that I’ve picked up some Baileys!
Geez. Be adults dammit! Enjoy your cupcakes!!!
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