Irish Cream Cupcakes

What is St. Patrick's Day without a little bit of Irish flare?  No, they're not exactly green like the last cupcakes we made, but they're still tasty.  :)

Admitidly, Lexi (Alexandra) was a little "bored" after teaching this morning and wanted to do something in honor of this holiday. No, it's certainly not a day in which my family celebrates, but a holiday  is certainly an excuse to make a dessert if any day is!

Irish Cream Cupcakes
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup cake flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter (room temp)
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup Irish Cream (any brand)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 350.

In a separate bowl, mix all of the dry ingredients together and set aside (flour, cake flour, baking soda, and salt).

Cream butter and sugar together until nice and fluffy.  Add in Irish cream and blend well.  It'll be a nice, smooth texture at this point (and... tasty!  But don't eat too much, otherwise the ratio will be out of whack for the rest of the ingredients!).  Mix eggs and vanilla in and blend. 

Add in the dry ingredients into the wet mixture on low and mix until blended.  Lastly, add in the sour cream and mix.

Place liners in cupcake pans or grease and butter if you'd rather.  Spoon the batter into the holders and fill to almost the top (or about 3/4 of the way full).  This should yield about 18 cupcakes.

Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs.

Let cupcakes cool for about 10 minutes before removing from the pan and let cool completely before frosting.

Chocolate Espresso Frosting
8 oz cream cheese (room temp)
1/2 tsp espresso grounds
4 tsp cocoa powder
2-3 tbs Irish Cream
powdered sugar



Cream the Irish Cream into the cream cheese.  Add espresso grounds and cocoa powder and mix until well incorporated.  Slowly add powdered sugar until desired texture and sweetness.

You may desire a stlightly more intense espresso flavor and decide to add more or even double.  This recipe gives a nice subtle hint of coffee but is not overwhelming.  Also, if you REALLY love frosting, then you might just want to double the whole recipe.  :)

Frost cupcakes!