Celebrate the luck of the Irish with the best of both worlds: super soft and moist dark chocolate Guinness cupcakes with smooth Baileys cream cheese frosting!

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Multiple chocolate Guinness cupcakes decorated with Baileys frosting and topped with gold coin sprinkles.

About Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes with Baileys Frosting

If you need a festive not-too-sweet-yet-seriously-divine cupcake for your St Patrick’s Day celebrations, then look no further than these Guinness-infused cupcakes topped with rich Baileys frosting.

For the cupcakes themselves, the Guinness flavor winds up front and center, fighting for attention with the chocolate. It’s actually the Guinness that makes the chocolate transform into something dark and rich.

And as for the frosting, what more can you say? It’s a classic cream cheese frosting inflused with the best irish cream there is: Baileys.

These cupcakes are a must-make for any time of year, but they’re especially when celebrating the best of sweet Irish treats.

What’s in Guinness cupcakes?

  • Guinness – The star of the show! Guinness beer is known for having a malty sweet and bitter hoppy taste with hints of coffee and chocolate. When added to chocolate baked goods, Guinness adds a bitter richness that’s similar to gourmet dark chocolate.
  • Baileys Irish Cream – The other key ingredient in these cupcakes, the Baileys Irish Cream is used to add a delicate creamy flavor to the frosting.
  • All-purpose flour, unsalted butter, baking soda, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, eggs, and vanilla – Classic ingredients for baked goods and homemade frosting.
  • Sour cream– Adds delicious moisture to the cupcakes. You can substitute this for an equal amount of greek yogurt.
  • Powdered sugar and cream cheese – For creating the creamy frosting.
Slightly top down view of multiple rows of decorated chocolate Guinness cupcakes.

Will Guinness cupcakes make you drunk?

As far as the Guinness goes, since it’s baked in the cupcake, most – but not all – of the alcohol will “bake off” and leave only the malty sweet flavor. You can read more about how this works here: No Worries, the Alcohol Burns Off During Cooking—But, Does It Really?

However, keep in mind that the Baileys frosting is not baked, so this will include the same amount of alcohol content as it says on the bottle. You’re only using four tablespoons of Baileys Irish Cream to frost 24 cupcakes, but it’s still there, nonetheless. If this is a concern, you can substitute the Baileys Irish Cream for an equal amount of Baileys Irish Creamer (like for coffee) as a non-alcoholic alternative.

Do you have to use Baileys?

If you’re looking to make these parfaits without the alcohol, you can substitute the Baileys liqueur with Baileys coffee creamer. This way you can have all the Irish flavor without the booze.

If you don’t mind the alcohol but Baileys just isn’t your thing, you can also make this parfait using either Kahlua or RumChata.

Top down view of lot of decorated cupcakes, with gold coin sprinkles as decoration.

How should these cupcakes be stored?

Due to the cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The frosting is not shelf-stable and should be chilled.

How long do chocolate Guinness cupcakes last?

When stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, cupcakes can last anywhere from three to five days.

Can you freeze chocolate Guinness cupcakes?

Yes, you totally can!

To freeze these cupcakes:

  • Bake cupcakes per recipe instructions, then allow to cool completely. Note: for best and consistent results, do not decorate cupcakes before freezing. Frosting types and consistency may vary and could impact how long or well the cupcakes will last while frozen.
  • Wrap cupcakes in plastic wrap. You can either wrap them individually or arrange the cupcakes in a group (single layer) and wrap them together.
  • Place wrapped cupcakes in a freezer bag or a storage container with a sealable lid.
  • Cupcakes can be frozen for up to three months.
Close up side view of a decorated chocolate Guinness cupcake.

Can these cupcakes be made in advance?

Yes, they totally can! To ensure the best presentation, I would recommend making them up to 24 hours in advance.

Notes & tips for these chocolate Guinness cupcakes

  • This recipe makes a larger batch of cupcakes (24 total) so be sure you have enough muffin tins before starting.
  • This is the type of recipe you can have fun playing up the green St Patrick’s Day theme, so make sure you have some colorful cupcake liners.
  • Like the sprinkles used in this recipe? You can pick some up here: Wilton gold sequins sprinkles.
A chocolate Guinness cupcake with the wrapper pulled down and a bite taken out, showing off the texture of the baked cupcake.

Other festive St Patrick’s Day Recipes

More recipes with Baileys

How to make chocolate Guinness cupcakes with Baileys frosting

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – To kick things off, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour and baking soda) in a mixing bowl, then set them aside.

Step 2 – In a saucepan, heat the Guinness and butter until the butter is melted, then slowly whisk in the sugar and cocoa powder until both are dissolved. Once done, remove the saucepan from heat and allow the chocolate Guinness mixture to cool.

Step 3 – Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer + large bowl), whip together the sour cream, vanilla, and eggs until combined.

Step 4 – Slowly blend in the cooled chocolate Guinness mixture until incorporated, then mix in the dry ingredients until a combined (but watery) batter forms.

Step 5 – Pour the batter into muffin tins lined with cupcake liners, filling the cavities about 3/4 of the way full.

Step 6 – Bake!

Step 7 – While the cupcakes bake and cool, prepare the frosting by whipping together the cream cheese and butter until pale and fluffy, then mix in the powdered sugar and Baileys Irish cream.

Step 8 – Place the Baileys cream cheese frosting in a pastry bag with a piping tip of your choice and decorate the cooled cupcakes. Top each cupcake with festive sprinkles, if desired.

Step 9 – Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Details

Multiple chocolate Guinness cupcakes decorated with Baileys frosting and topped with gold coin sprinkles.
4.74 from 65 votes

Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes with Baileys Frosting

30 minutes prep + 15 minutes cook
353 kcal
Yields: 24 cupcakes
Celebrate the luck of the Irish with the best of both worlds: super soft and moist dark chocolate Guinness cupcakes with smooth Baileys cream cheese frosting!

Ingredients 

Dark Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes
Baileys Cream Cheese Frosting

Instructions

Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 muffin tins with cupcake liners, then set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda. Set bowl aside.
    2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • In a medium saucepan over low heat, add Guinness and butter. Allow butter to melt completely, stirring occasionally.
    1 cup Guinness, 1 cup unsalted butter
  • Working in small batches, slowly pour in sugar and cocoa power and whisk until both are completely dissolved.
    2 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Remove saucepan from heat and allow chocolate mixture to cool for at least 5-10 minutes. Mixture must no longer be hot; it should be warm (or cooler) to use in additional steps.
  • Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer + large bowl), beat together sour cream, vanilla, and eggs on low speed until combined, about 1-2 minutes.
    2/3 cup sour cream, 2 tablespoon vanilla extract, 2 large eggs
  • Keeping speed on low, slowly pour and blend in the cooled chocolate mixture until incorporated, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Increase mixture speed to medium, then quickly scoop in the dry ingredients, adding about 1/3 to 1/2 cup at a time. Once combined, turn off mixer and run a spatula along bottom and sides of the bowl to ensure there are no clumps. Batter will be watery – this is okay.
  • Pour batter into prepared muffin tin, filling cavities about 3/4 of the way full.
  • Bake cupcakes for 15-18 minutes or until a tester toothpick comes out clean with no crumbs.
  • Let cupcakes cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
For the Baileys Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer + large bowl), whip cream cheese and butter on high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes.
    8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • Drop mixer speed to low and blend in powdered sugar until incorporated, about 3-5 minutes.
    4 cups powdered sugar
  • Keeping mixer speed on low, add Baileys and whip until frosting is smooth, about another 2-4 minutes. Taste test the frosting; this frosting is very forgiving and easy to balance to your tastes. You can add up to 6 tablespoons of Baileys (total) or up to 5 cups of powdered sugar (total) to get the flavor and consistency you'd like.
    4 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream
Putting it All Together
  • When ready to decorate, fill a pastry bag with prepared Baileys cream cheese frosting and a piping tip of your choice.
  • Frost each cupcake in a decorative pattern, then dust the top with sprinkles or other decorations of your choice.
  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupcake | Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 544IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

I do my best to provide nutrition information, but please keep in mind that I’m not a certified nutritionist. Any nutritional information discussed or disclosed in this post should only be seen as my best amateur estimates of the correct values.

Author: Chrisy

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50 comments

    • Kara

    I just put it in the oven. Looks yummy. But the recipe calls for no salt???? I added 1/2t as I’m assuming this was a mistake

    • For this particular recipe, salt isn’t required (the cupcakes already have a rich flavor from the chocolate + Guinness) – but you can totally add some if you’d like to.

        • Kara

        Made it as a 9×13 and baked for about 42 min. SO YUMMY! My husband (German chocolate cake every year for his bday) said he likes this recipe even more than GCC!!!!

    • Steph
    • 5 stars

    Easy to follow recipe! They tasted amazing! I halved the recipe since I didn’t need 2 dozen. My batter didn’t come out watery though, it was like thick pudding. I’m wondering if I cooked and left the chocolate mixture too long?

    • Kianga Kearney
    • 5 stars

    So this was fun to make and not as hard as I thought it was gonna be. But delish all the same. I am so glad I found this recipe, there are absolutely AMAZING.

    • Kathy

    Just made them. Yum!

    • lis marsh

    can i make this into a whole cake, not cupcakes? what to change?

    • Brandi
    • 5 stars

    So so so good!!! Won a game sale with these and I had never made cupcakes. Kept a couple for myself and omg so delicious!

    • Lorraine

    I make these every year for St Patrick’s Day. This year I used expresso flavored Baileys & omg what a great combo!!

    • Leslie
    • 5 stars

    I followed the recipe exactly and these turned out great! I’m not a Guinness fan but everyone at the party loved them. I was super nervous about the frosting at first but it also came together wonderfully using the whisk attachment on my mixer- I will definitely be using the same formula for different flavors in the future!

      • Leslie

      Ask meant to say both recipes were generous, plenty for 24+ cupcakes!

    • Steve
    • 5 stars

    Oh my these are insanely delicious. I don’t give praise online, but these cupcakes made me have to leave that this was a great recipe and very good directions and they are made right first time trying.

    • Rachel

    Can plain non-fat greek yogurt be substituted for sour cream?

      • Jules

      Yes, I made this substitution the first time I made these. DELICIOUS.

    • nicole
    • 5 stars

    This recipe is wonderful, follow exactly how it’s written.

    • Kate Healey

    Thanks Chrisy! Will be making these in a few days !!! Slainte!

    • Jessica
    • 5 stars

    Cupcakes make me happy. Guinness makes me happy. Bailey’s makes me happy. You just made me happy.

    • Liz
    • 5 stars

    I have always loved Guinness cake, but never made cupcakes before! These were delicious and I loved the frosting!!