St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of Irish culture commemorating the life of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It's easy to get in the Irish mood by cooking up a dinner of corned beef and cabbage, but make sure you top it off with some delicious dessert!

What could be more Irish than a nice, dark stout? Guinness is a traditional Irish beer, with origins in Dublin dating back to the 18th century. Irish dry stouts such as Guinness actually feature some notes of chocolate, allowing it to pair well with chocolate recipes - just be sure not to pair a stout with a very dark chocolate as the two may become too bitter. But, we have the perfect recipe for chocolate stout cupcakes for a sweet end to your Irish meal.

Chocolate Stout Cupcakes

Yields 24 cupcakes

Ingredients

For Icing

8 oz. Cream cheese

1 c. Heavy cream

2 c. Powdered sugar

For Cupcakes

3/4 c. Cocoa

2 c. Sugar

2 c. Flour

1 tsp. Baking soda

1/4 tsp. Salt

1 Bottle Dark Stout Beer

4 oz. Butter, melted

1 tsp. Vanilla

3 Eggs

3/4 c. Sour cream

8 oz. Cream cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 24 muffin tins, or line them with baking cups. Combine cocoa, sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix the stout, melted butter, and vanilla. Beat the eggs in to the mixture one at a time, then add sour cream and mix until smooth. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients. Pour batter into muffin tins until about 3/4 full, then bake for 24-30 minutes.

While cupcakes are baking, use a mixer to beat cream cheese on medium speed until light and fluffy, then gradually add in the heavy cream. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar at low speed until smooth and well blended. Ice cupcakes once cooled.