Guinness, Whiskey & Irish Cream Cupcakes
The classic cocktail shot transformed into cupcakes – Guinness chocolate cake, Jameson whiskey ganache filling, and Baileys buttercream frosting.
Please tell me that you’ve had the good fortune of tasting chocolate cake that’s been spiked with Guinness. If you haven’t, stop what you’re doing right now, go buy a six-pack of Guinness, grab some chocolate, and head to the kitchen.
The chocolate flavor is so deep and intense, almost malty, and the cake is just so incredibly moist – you’ll definitely want to start making these Guinness cupcakes all year long!
These cupcakes are the #1 all-time most popular recipe on the site, and for good reason. They are utterly spectacular. They are fashioned after the popular 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’ve never been into doing shots, so I’ll just eat a cupcake and call it a day. Cupcake trumps shots every day of the week for me!
To replicate the drink, I baked up Guinness chocolate cupcakes, filled them with a Jameson whiskey chocolate ganache, and topped them with a Baileys Irish Cream-spiked version of my favorite vanilla buttercream frosting.
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While there are a few steps to these cupcakes, they really are simple to bake and assemble. Once the cupcakes are cool, I cut out the centers (and nibbled on the scraps, shhhh), scooped in ganache, and then topped them with lofty swirls of the Baileys buttercream frosting.
I waited for my ganache to thicken before scooping it into the cupcakes, but I think you could fill them when it’s still pretty soft, as it should then firm up inside of the cupcakes.
While you can’t taste the beer in the cupcakes (it serves as a flavor enhancer for the chocolate), you can definitely taste the alcohol in the filling and the frosting. Everyone that I’ve ever made these for absolutely adores them and can’t get over how fantastic they taste. They are truly the trifecta of boozy Irish cupcakes!
Whether you’re throwing a St. Patrick’s Day party, or just need an excuse for some really amazingly delicious boozy cupcakes, look no further! These are guaranteed to be a hit wherever you take them.
Six years ago: Traditional Mardi Gras King Cake
Seven years ago: Asiago Bagels
Eight years ago: Baked Oatmeal
Nine years ago: Royal Crown’s Tortano
Guinness, Whiskey & Irish Cream Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 cup (230 ml) Guinness stout
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¾ cup (64.5 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons (1.5 teaspoons) baking soda
- ¾ teaspoons (0.75 teaspoons) salt
- 2 eggs
- ⅔ cup (153.33 ml) sour cream
For the Whiskey Ganache Filling:
- 8 ounces (226.8 g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- ⅔ cup (158.67 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons Irish whiskey
For the Baileys Frosting:
- 2 cups (454 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 5 cups (600 g) powdered sugar
- 6 tablespoons Bailey's Irish Cream
Instructions
- Make the Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two standard muffin tins with liners.
- Place the Guinness and butter in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
- 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 just until it starts to come together, about 30 seconds. 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 for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Whiskey Ganache Filling: Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Place the heavy cream in a small saucepan and bring to simmer over medium heat. Immediately pour it over the chocolate, then let it sit for two minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently stir the mixture 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, about 30 minutes. (If it becomes too stiff, simply give it a good whisk and it will loosen up.)
- Fill the Cupcakes: Using a paring knife, cut the centers out of the cooled cupcakes, going about two-thirds of the way down. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, divide the prepared ganache between the centers of the cupcakes.
- 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.
- 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 at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Has anyone tried to make these ahead of time? I am just curious how long in advance I can make the ganache.
People, lay off this woman already! I seriously doubt she concocted this delicious recipe with the sole purpose of insulting thousands of people whose lives were personally shaken by horrible acts of terrorism. She changed the name of the cupcakes a while back and some of you are still complaining. That’s the great thing about the internet, if you don’t like something you come across , you don’t have to come back to it. Cut her some slack and eat a cupcake for Pete’s sake!
I just made these yesterday for a birthday today, haven’t tasted them yet, but I gave the first two to my son and husband and they said this was amazing, in my son’s words “the best cupcakes he has ever tasted”, and we have made many over the years. So, thank you for sharing and I will definitely do this again one day.
I’m not sure if the name if theses was changed due to the controversy I’m reading in the comments, but i see NO mention of “Irish car bomb” anywhere but in the comments. I do understand that people would be upset at that reference, however, all of you people posting rude and insulting comments about others are just showing your own lack of intelligence and class. If you want to educate people about how you are feeling, try doing it respectfully.
In any case…these cupcakes are amazing!!
Hi Patty,
Yes, it appears the name was changed. I remember when this was originally posted some time ago, they were called “Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes” (named after the drink). I assume that Michelle changed the name on the page and in the recipe, but the URL is still “Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes.”
I made these last year for a big St Patrick’s day party, complete with bagpiper! They were a complete hit! So creamy and delicious, they, of courses, asked me to make them again this year!! Thanks for this great recipe!!
Made them…. LOVE THEM. Wouldn’t change a thing. They’re GREAT!
I think its about time you Americans took out the car bomb element to all your St. Patrick’s day celebrations. Its not funny. Over 500 people were killed including children during the troubles. So sad!
This recipe opens with the URL title “Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes.” I’ve made them, and hey are indeed delicious, but…
An English friend pointed out to me how offensive the “car bomb” name is to her and to those who lived through the terror of the IRA. She said it would be like a “9/11 Cupcake” would be terribly offensive to us. I don’t know if the phrase “car bomb” is now cached forever, but if not I respectfully request that referenced to “car bomb” be removed.
Thanks, and I do indeed love your web site and enjoy trying your recipes.
These look delicious , however I kind of object to the name of them. Anyone who lived through the 70’s in England and Northern Ireland can remember the fear that the IRA could plant a car bomb anywhere (and frequently did) and kill or maim innocent people.
Your links call these Irish Car Bombs ….this is highly offensive people died from those types of attacks.
But the cup cakes look yummy.
I just made these and they are amazing!! I added a little extra baileys to the frosting and Jameson to the ganache and it really gave it a kick. I would definitely make these again. Thank you!
I just have to tell you that you did a fabulous job with this recipe! I recently came across it through Facebook and decided to make them for my husband’s birthday party. Everybody LOVED them and I got many compliments, but those compliments need to be passed on to you! Phenomenal recipe! Thank you!
The name of the recipe is “GUINNESS, WHISKEY & IRISH CREAM CUPCAKES,” so why the “Irish Car Bomb” rename? As an Irish family, we find this name horribly insulting. Is this what you think of Irish people? And is this how you supposedly pay tribute to an Irish inspired holiday, by insulting us?!? What if we made and advertised American Extremist Stew? Or American Idiot Pie? Sheesh… RUDE!!!
They are called car bombs because of the drink (called a car bomb) that contains Guinness, baileys and Jameson. I’m sure she didn’t mean any disrespect but seriously, it’s a drink name. Sensitive much?
Kristi. It’s highly offensive …not being overly sensitive …
Ok, I just made these…OMG.. are they good. Someone posted they put them in the freezer. They are so right, they are wonderful cold. They don’t freeze! You have got to try them!
Should change the name. Not kosher!
How long will these cupcakes last after being made?
Hi Kevin, I would say 2 to 3 days.
If you put them in an airtight container and then put it in the fridge, they last a lot longer. Just let them come to room temperature before eating.
i have been baking a long time, and i have never tasted a cupcake like this one!!!! it is a little time consuming, but well worth the effort!!! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!
These look delicious, I hope to try them soon.
I confess that although I am totally opposed to ultra-sensitive political correctness, I found the previous name very off putting. It hardly seemed appropriate for a cupcake. Kudos to you for changing the name to something with less painful connotations.
I think your cupcakes look fantastic and I am sure they taste the same. However would love to see the name changed to Leprechauns Delight. Unless these cupcakes are deadly and kill people. Irish car bombs have killed a lot of people and that name conjures up some ugly pictures for something as lovely as your cupcakes. Would be nice if you reconsidered the naming of your cupcakes.
Would the be suitable to take these to a work function? Is there REALLY enough alcohol to make someone impaired enough to not drive?
Hi Katie, It’s not my opinion that these have enough alcohol in one cupcake to impair someone, but of course, totally a judgement call! I can’t make any guarantees :)
Well thank you very much for the reply back! I’m for going to be making these next weekend to go alone with my Guinness cake! So excited!
What’s next? Twin Towers Pie?
When this recipe is posted on Facebook it is called an Irish Car Bomb Cupcake recipe. Over 3,500 people died in the Troubles, many by car bombs. Please change the name of the recipe. It is as offensive as an Oklahoma Truck Bomb Cupcake or a Boston Bomb Cupcake recipe. Thank you for considering this request.
Can I make this into a full cake. If so at what temp can I bake?
Hi Ree, I think you could. Bake it at the same temperature, but you might need to increase the baking time a bit.
Thanks so much. I just made the filling. Turned out really thin for some reason. Any ideas? Have put it in the fridge to cool but still runny. Thanks so much.
Hi Ree, Refrigerating the ganache should thicken it up.
I normally like this Irish recipes but as an Irish person living in Ireland and did so during the troubles maybe rethink the name of these buns? Car bomb is bit insensitive
I will be making these again this year…real crowd pleaser!! I use another teaspoon of Jameson in the Ganache for an xtra KICK ;)
Do any of you have any idea what you’re supporting here?
Here’s a hint: terrorism is not good. Imagine it happened in one of your cities.
Do any of you have any idea how deeply offensive this is to people who lived in either UK or EIRE during the terrorist bombings that you celebrate?
I have made these for the past three years in my brother’s restaurant for St Patty’s Day. Each year I have had to increase the batches to fill the demand of customers! An absolute hit with jubilant response. The folks look forward to this every year. Being a chef and previous restaurant owner myself appreciate the richness of chocolate and the compliment of the decadent frosting in these cupcakes. A true dessert and an absolute delight! I am indebted to our bartender for introducing me to your site. Look forward to many more delicious discoveries!
Do you think I could sub rice flour to make this gluten free?
Hi Courtney, I haven’t done much experimenting with gluten-free alternatives, so I couldn’t give you a definitive yes or no on how rice flour might work. If you do try it, please stop back and let me know how it worked!
Before I explode with disgust, can you please tell me exactly what is funny about, “Irish Car Bomb cupcakes?” As someone who grew up around the troubles, to say that your post is beyond bad taste would, of course, be an understatement.
Because they are ignorant, uneducated, uncultured idiots. Why don’t you get out of the kitchen and read a book or if that is too much for all of you, you can even watch a movie. I am so embarrassed for any idiot who thinks this is funny. Serve me one and I’ll shove it down your throat. You would not laugh at a flaming twin towers cupcake. You make me sick.
I agree, but I think it is a disgusting offense to call all Americans “uncultured idiots.” It kind of makes you seem a little idiotic and stuffy yourself. You’re right – most Americans don’t know about the Troubles. I do because my family raised me to know about our history. You’re damn right we wouldn’t laugh at a “twin towers” cake – and we never would. It’s also quite ignorant to say something like America has no culture. Maybe you should take a history lesson yourself. Every piece of land on this planet has a history and has been inhabited by many different people. Maybe our buildings are newer and our people are more diverse, but the history and culture of those who came before us is still here. Get your head out of your ass and calm your Irish temper. Instead, let’s come up with a different name together, because quite honestly, the drink is damn delicious and I’d hate to see it go.
The cupcakes are named after a drink called the Irish Car Bomb. Guinness with whiskey and Bailey’s added to it. If you’re going to have snit, have it at the person who invented and then named the drink.