Green Beer Cupcakes

Today, I have a recipe that's perfect for celebrating St. Patrick's Day this weekend... it incorporates beer, pretzels, chocolate, and the color green.  Can't go wrong with that combo!

Green Beer Cupcakes
adapted from Serious Eats & 
The Butch Bakery Cookbook

For the cupcakes (makes 12):

6 tbsp. unsalted butter
1/4 c. cocoa powder
1/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. dark stout (I used Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout)
1 large egg
1/4 c. light sour cream
1/2 c. plus 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. plus 2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 and place liners in muffin pan.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.  Remove from the heat.  Stir in cocoa powder until smooth, then add the stout.  Set aside to cool for approximately 10 minutes.

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and sour cream.  Add cocoa mixture.  Once combined, slowly stir in the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.  Whisk until smooth.

Fill each prepared muffin cup about 2/3 full.  Bake for approximately 23 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean.  Cool in pan for 5-10 minutes, then allow to completely on a wire rack before frosting.

For the frosting:

4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 c. powdered sugar
1-1/2 tbsp. dark stout
1/8 tsp. vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Green food coloring
Chocolate covered pretzels, crushed

Beat butter until fluffy, about 1 minute.  Add powdered sugar, stout, vanilla and salt.  Continue to beat for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy.  Add 24 drops of green food coloring and beat on medium until incorporated.

Spread frosting on cupcakes, top with crushed pretzels... and then enjoy!