You don’t have to be Irish to appreciate all the things that make the country of St Patrick so great.

From the breathtaking scenery to the world-renowned literature to the culinary delights of Guinness, soda bread, stews, and oysters, there’s plenty to celebrate on St Patrick’s Day.

Whether you’re headed to a céilí this weekend or just looking for some baking inspiration, these easy to make chocolate cupcakes from The Clueless Baker will provide some Celtic cheer for your St Paddy’s celebration.

Plus they go great with an Irish coffee. Sláinte!

 

Lethal Chocolate Cupcakes

What you need:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup milk
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract

How to make it:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder and baking soda. Add milk, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Beat with a whisk or electric mixer just until smooth.
3. Spoon batter into the prepared pan, filling the cups about ¾ full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from pan and let cool completely on a rack before frosting, glazing or decorating to your heart’s content.

Makes 12 cupcakes.

 

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

What you need:
½ cup butter, softened
3 cups icing sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup milk or cream
Green food colouring

How to make it:
1. In a large bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Add the icing sugar, vanilla and ¼ cup of the milk or cream, and beat until the mixture begins to clump up — it will still be quite dry. Add the remaining milk or cream and continue beating until the frosting is smooth and creamy. Mix in a few drops of green food colouring to give your frosting an Irish feeling.

Makes about 2½ cups.

 

 

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Get the book:

 The Clueless Baker