Guinness Touchdown!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day a few weeks ago, I'm posting some of my very favorite Irish treats.  After all, what is better than a Guinness, Irish whiskey and Irish cream?

Answer:  Pouring it all into a cupcake liner and baking at 350 degrees!

I made these delicious cupcakes for the Superbowl back in February.  The sheer number of ingredients and steps in these cupcakes make it a little daunting, but the end result is well worth it.

The Guinness and unsweetened cocoa powder are combined over heat with butter.

The dry ingredients get mixed together separately.

Eggs and sour cream are whisked and the chocolatey beer sauce is added.  Mix in the dry ingredients, beat until completely combined and fill up your cupcake cups!

You might be thinking, wow that wasn't so bad, but we still have two more Irish alcohols to add.

The shot of whiskey in these cupcakes comes in the form of a chocolate whiskey ganache filling.  Chocolate melted with cream and mixed with whiskey gets filled into the cooled cupcakes.  Top it all off with a Bailey's buttercream frosting and you've got the perfect treat for St. Patty's Day, game day, or really any day of the week!

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Life's a Beach

Well it's overcast, cold, rainy and just plain gray in Seattle today. I thought I might bring some sunshine in even if it is artificial and liven up the day with some beach cupcakes I made for a summer Solstice party.

The beach cupcakes were traditional vanilla and the water were German chocolate. The beach was made with buttercream frosting and crushed up graham crackers. The waves were also buttercream, tinted with two different shades of blue. The couple that I made them for had just bought chickens, hence the random chickens lounging on the beach ;)

How long until summer again?  I'm more than ready for some real sunshine and daily doses of vitamin D!

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Welcome!

This is my life in cupcakes (and sometimes cake).

My cupcake story begins with one of my best friends, Megan, whom I affectionately refer to as "cupcake." Not only do I credit her with cultivating my desire to learn how to cook and bake, she also can claim responsibility for my cupcake addiction. What began as a silly nickname from a Valentine's Day card, quickly evolved into a habit of giving her cupcake gifts for every holiday. Between the two of us she is definitely the least interested in cupcakes, but old habits die hard and I'm afraid that nickname never will.
Join me in my journey through life - with a cupcake in one hand and a spatula in the other!

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