Forget flowers, candy and overpriced dinner reservations this Valentine's Day. Satisfy your honey with something simpler: beer-filled cupcakes.

Nothing is more romantic than homemade, right?

So, if you are looking for a great gift idea for the beer-lover in your life, you only need to get as far as your kitchen, where you'll whip up a tasty batch of Beer Cupcakes. Borrowed from our friends at Panko Bunny, this recipe takes full advantage of Guinness beer both in the frosting and in the cake.

And while this recipe calls for chocolate sprinkles, we say go for the pink and red — it is Valentine's Day, after all!

Beer Cupcakes Recipe:

Ingredients:

For Cupcakes:

1 cup Guinness beer
1 cup unsalted butter
¾ cup cocoa powder
2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cups sour cream
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking soda
2/3 cup chocolate chips

For Buttercream:

2 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
5-6 tbsp Guinness beer
5-6 cups confectioner’s sugar

red and pink sprinkles

Directions: Make the cupcakes: Pour the beer into a pot set to medium heat. Add the butter and stir until completely melted. Remove the pot from the heat, and whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar, and set aside.

Mix together the sour cream, eggs and vanilla in a bowl until fully combined. Add the egg mixture to the beer and combine well. Add the flour and baking soda and whisk together. Add the mini chocolate chips, if using.

Pour the batter into a muffin tin lined with muffin liners, and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until fully cooked. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and cool completely.

Make the buttercream: Place the butter in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and beer and mix until combined. Add the confectioner’s sugar one cup at a time, then beat for 2-3 minutes. Place the buttercream in a piping bag fitted with a large, star-shaped tip.

Pipe a swirl of buttercream onto each cupcake, decorate with sprinkles and enjoy!

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