Cupcakes + Beer = Delicious

So as some of you know my husband Jared home brews his own beer...I am not a big beer drinker and I wanted to find a way to enjoy his home brew. I found this recipe inside Martha Stewart's Cupcake book, but what makes my recipe unique is adding Jared's Irish Stout. If you want to check out his recipe his website is http://www.scarletbrewery.com/

Home brewing is becoming such a popular thing now, if you know someone who does it this is a great way to use it other than the obvious. If you don't know anyone that does the home brewing you could always use a Guinness Beer to substitute. This rich,moist cupcake has a hint of warm spice with a slight kick from the beer. This is one cupcake that would be welcomed at just about any party!

Ingredients: Cupcakes

3 3/4 c. all purpose flour

1/2 tsp + 1/8 tsp. baking soda

1 3/4 tsp. baking powder

1 3/4 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. ground cinnamon

1 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

1 1/4 c. vegetable oil

1 1/4 c. molasses

1/2 cup + 1 tbsp. packed light brown sugar

2 large whole eggs + 1 egg yolk

1 tbsp + 1 tsp. finely grated orange zest (about 4 oranges)

1 1/4 c. Stout Beer, such as Guinness, poured and settled

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line standard cupcake pan with paper liners (recipe makes a little over 2 dozen). Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt & spices and set aside.

With an electric mixer on medium-low speed beat oil, molasses, brown sugar, whole eggs and yolk, zest, stout beer until combined. Reduce speed to low and in 3 stages add dry ingredients, after each addition scrape down sides to be sure all ingredients have been incorporated.

I use an old fashioned ice cream scoop to fill cupcake liners with batter (only fill about 1/2 -3/4 up the rim of pan). Place cupcakes in the oven and they will bake for 15-20 minutes. Insert a toothpick in center if it comes out clean it is done.

While cupcakes are baking make your Icing:

Whisk together 2 cups of sifted confectioners sugar and 1/4 c. Stout Beer.

When cupcakes are cooled pour some glaze on top of each cupcake...yum!

~Sweet Regards,

Carol