Chocolate Bailys Cupcakes

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...And I love it!

Nothing screams Christmas more to me than a decorated, lit up tree, wrapping presents and hot cocoa with a little Baily's mixed in. I figured if Baily's Irish Cream tastes good in cocoa, why not a cupcake?

So I searched and found a recipe for a Chocolate Kahlua Cupcake @ Annie's Eats.

They looked good, and I very much wanted to make these with my Baily's so I could sit around my tree and eat a tasty treat as I watched Christmas movie after Christmas movie. Sue me :)

Here is what you will need:
(Makes approximately 20 cupcakes)

For the cupcakes:

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp. instant espresso powder
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups sugar
1½ tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. salt
2 large eggs
¾ cup warm water
¾ cup buttermilk
3 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract


For the frosting:

12 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
7-8 tbsp. Baily's Irish Cream

2 tbsp. heavy cream

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.   Line standard cupcake pans with paper liners.  

2. In a large mixing bowl combine the cocoa powder, espresso powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt; whisk well to blend.  Add the eggs, warm water, buttermilk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix on medium-high speed until smooth, 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

3. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cupcake liners, filling about 2/3 full.  Bake until the tops spring back when pressed lightly, about 18-20 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking. 
4. Let cool in the pan 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.  Poke a few holes in the top of each cupcake with the tines of a fork and brush with Kahlua while still warm.  Allow to cool completely.
To make the frosting:
1. Beat the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. 
2. Mix in the confectioners’ sugar until incorporated.  Add in the Kahlua and beat on medium speed until well blended. 
3. Add in the heavy cream and beat on medium-high speed for about 4 minutes, until light and fluffy.  Frost cooled cupcakes as desired.

 Stick a fork in the middles and pour the Baily's on top with a spoon...

Makes them shiny!

YUM! Now time to go indulge. What a wonderful time of the year :)

I partied @

Crazy Sweet Tuesday!

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Sweet Treats Thursday!

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Frugal Friday!

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Sweets for a Saturday!

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Tea Time Tuesday!