Serves a Crowd

Irish Coffee Cupcakes

April 17, 2021
4.3
9 Ratings
Photo by James Ransom
  • Makes 18 to 20 cupcakes
Author Notes

I've always loved coffee ice cream, so I decided to make coffee cake, too (not to be confused with coffeecake). For St. Patrick's Day, naturally I busted out my Bailey's buttercream to go with these whiskey-basted cupcakes. Cheers! —someonewhobakes

Test Kitchen Notes

These inventive Irish coffee cupcakes are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. The frosting is made with a healthy dose of Irish cream, and the cupcakes are brushed with whiskey after baking. Forget St. Patrick's Day, they'd be delicious any day of the year. —Stephanie Bourgeois —Stephanie Bourgeois

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Cake:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon (rounded) instant espresso or coffee
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons whiskey
  • Frosting:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pound powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup Bailey's Irish Cream
Directions
  1. For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Cream together the butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating in between each addition until well combined. Combine the flours in a bowl with a whisk. Combine the coffee, milk, and vanilla and alternate adding the flour and coffee mixtures, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined, then add the instant coffee or espresso powder.
  2. Pour into 18 to 20 muffin tins lined with paper liners and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of them comes out clean. Remove to a cooling rack and brush/dribble with desired amount of whiskey. Let cool completely before frosting, sprinkling with additional instant espresso or coffee, if desired.
  3. For the frosting: Beat butter and salt with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, alternating with additions of the Bailey's, and beat until creamy and smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. If not using immediately, refrigerate until ready to use.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Yuselin Maknoun
    Yuselin Maknoun
  • Sabine Gagnon
    Sabine Gagnon
  • food grrrl
    food grrrl
  • Midge
    Midge
  • drbabs
    drbabs

14 Reviews

K March 18, 2020
I will definitely save this to make again next St Patrick's Day, but perfect for any adult occasion. The frosting recipe will be used on other cupcakes too--bet it would be great with chocolate or even stout cupcakes.
 
Re March 21, 2018
Ca you make this into a cake?
 
someonewhobakes March 26, 2018
Yes, you can! I would imagine it would fit into two 8" round cake pans, or a 13" x 9" rectangular pan. Just bake for a little longer -- probably 25-35 minutes.
 
Emily D. March 16, 2018
Delicious. I added some chocolate mini chips to the batter. Makes a dozen in a "Texas size" muffin/cupcake pan.
 
Yuselin M. March 27, 2013
Well, they are big hit over and over. Made them for the birthday party, baked and sold boxes of them so far. Liquor and cupcakes a great combination!!
 
Sabine G. March 24, 2013
Just made these last night for a birthday party that was being celebrated at an Irish bar :) They were really tasty! I was hoping for a stronger whiskey hint so next time I'll just have to brush on more! The baileys frosting was an excellent compliment to the cupcake.
 
Yuselin M. February 28, 2013
Making these tonight for a gentleman that turns 80 tomorrow and always has an irish coffee after his meal. I hope they come out great!
 
food G. April 29, 2011
oh my.....thought i was done baking for today....but no, i have to try these:-)
 
singing_baker April 18, 2011
These look fabulous and I love the piping on top!
 
Midge April 17, 2011
Oh wow, I just posted a similar recipe but yours look and sound stunning.
 
someonewhobakes April 16, 2011
aww, thanks ladies! and the piping wasn't too bad, using a big fat tip makes it go really quickly.
 
drbabs April 16, 2011
love
 
Lizthechef April 16, 2011
Lovely recipe and what a super photo! All that piping would have me on the floor...
 
Helen's A. April 16, 2011
Wow! These look wonderful! Love the way you took the time to pipe the frosting, looks beautiful.