Guinness and Baileys Irish Cream Cupcakes Recipe

St. Patrick’s Day is a perfect excuse to bake something special, and these Guinness and Baileys Irish Cream cupcakes are one of my favorites. Rich chocolate cupcakes are infused with Guinness stout for depth and finished with a creamy Baileys frosting. They’re moist, indulgent, and easy to prepare—ideal for sharing with family and friends on March 17th or any time you want an Irish-inspired treat.

The combination of stout and Irish cream gives these cupcakes a distinctive flavor: the stout enhances the chocolate while Baileys adds a sweet, slightly boozy creaminess to the frosting. If you prefer to keep things alcohol-free for children or designated drivers, you can swap the Baileys frosting for a classic buttercream or cream cheese frosting.

These cupcakes are straightforward to make: the cake batter comes together on the stovetop and in the mixer, while the frosting whips up quickly once the cakes have cooled. For a festive touch, add green sprinkles or tint the frosting with a few drops of green food coloring. The small additions make them holiday-ready without altering the core flavors.

Guinness and Bailey’s Irish Cream Cupcakes

*Specific measurements and the complete printable recipe are included below. Read the tips and instructions carefully for the best results.

Ingredients Required

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup Guinness Stout*
• 1/3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder, sifted
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2/3 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup sour cream

Frosting Ingredients

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• pinch table salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream**
• 1/2 tablespoon milk (more as needed)
• green sprinkles and/or food coloring (optional)

*Note: The Guinness in the batter contains alcohol, but it bakes off during cooking and leaves a rich flavor. **Because Baileys contains alcohol, the frosting is best served to adults of legal drinking age. If serving children, substitute a cream cheese or vanilla buttercream frosting.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with paper liners.
2. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the butter, Guinness, cocoa, and brown sugar. Whisk often until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
3. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, salt, white sugar, and baking soda until evenly combined.
4. Add the cooled Guinness mixture to the dry ingredients and beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the egg and sour cream, then beat for 2–3 minutes until the batter is mostly smooth.
5. Divide the batter among the prepared cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Avoid overfilling so the cupcakes hold their shape while baking.
6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with only a few moist crumbs attached. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Frosting

While the cupcakes cool, make the frosting. In a mixing bowl, cream the room-temperature butter until very light and fluffy. Add the pinch of salt and slowly incorporate the confectioners’ sugar on low speed until it is absorbed.

Pour in the Baileys Irish Cream and the milk and mix until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency. If the frosting is too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time until you reach the desired texture. If you want a green hue, add 3–4 drops of green food coloring, mix, and add more until the color is right.

When the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them with the Baileys frosting and finish with green sprinkles if you like.

Other St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

If you’re planning a St. Patrick’s Day menu, consider pairing these cupcakes with savory Irish favorites or other festive treats. Here are a few ideas to round out your celebration:

• Corned Beef and Cabbage
• Irish Beef Stew
• Irish Soda Bread
• Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
• Bangers and Mash
• Shepherd’s Pie
• Irish Mashed Potatoes (Colcannon)
• Irish Boxty
• No-Bake Grasshopper Pie
• Shamrock Shake
• Guinness Brownies

Enjoy! Mary

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