Bottoms Up! Irish Cream Hot Fudge Cupcakes

Whenever dessert can be interactive, that’s a plus in my book.  I love dishing up sweets that will make people feel special, and for me, that doesn’t always mean handing out slices of cake. I’m talking individual desserts, all dressed up for one with an element of surprise.  I live for that sort of thing.

This is one such recipe. It yields 6 muffin-sized cupcakes, and you’ll need 6 mini bottles of Irish cream to make them.  The Irish cream is used to flavor all four elements of the cupcake – and my favorite of all is the homemade hot fudge sauce that sits atop the frosting in an upturned bottle.

(email subscribers click here to view how-to video)



The trick to getting the sauce to stay in the bottle is to insert it directly into the middle of the cupcake and down into the ganache.  The ganache acts as a bottle stopper. You may want to serve these with a wooden pick on the side in case the ganache clogs the bottle mouth. It’s less prone to happen if your hot fudge sauce is, well – hot.  I use a skewer in the video because my bottles of sauce had gotten cold while hanging around during filming. With a bit of help, they still pour just fine cold too.

There’s a few things to remember when making these.

  • When you remove the bottle cap, there’s an aluminum ring that stays attached to the bottle neck. That piece should be removed, and can be easily snipped off with a pair of work scissors (I wouldn’t use your best cloth-cutting scissors for this).
  • The sauce can be made in advance and then warmed on the stove-top or in a 4 cup measure with a spout in the microwave just before serving. The hot sauce shouldn’t be screaming hot, so don’t heat it for too long.
  • The sauce should not be re-heated in the bottles in the microwave.  This will cause the sauce to bubble over. Also, there’s foil on the label (hellooo sparks!) and that’s a possible fire hazard in the microwave.
  • As stated before, you can serve these with wooden picks in case the sauce has cooled.  We had no problems without – just a squeeze and a shake is required when the sauce is still warm. 
  • Serve these on a plate with an extra napkin. They can be a little messy, but there’s nothing wrong with licking frosting and ganache from your fingers. Modest guests will want a napkin.

These will be such fun at St. Paddy’s day parties, and with their upturned bottles they’ll look snazzy on display.

Even though there’s no partying to speak of today, we’ll be celebrating little things like finished chores. There’s no better reward than a hot fudge cupcake after walking the dogs on a freezing cold, grey day!

Bottoms Up! Irish Cream Hot Fudge Cupcakes

Source: SprinkleBakes original recipes

Yield: 6 muffin-sized cupcakes

Prep: 1 hour 15 minutes, plus chilling time for ganache

[click for printable recipe]

The
cake portion of this cupcake reminds me a little of a brownie, but they’re not
as dense.  They bake up with a crackled
top, but inside they’re fluffy with a deep chocolate flavor.  You won’t use a whole egg since this is a
small batch recipe, so you’ll need to measure out a portion. To do so, lightly
beat a whole egg in a small cup then pour the egg into the measuring spoon. If you’d like to shortcut this recipe, buy prepared chocolate sauce and stir in a little Irish cream for flavor.

Cakes

1/2 cup Irish Cream liqueur, or two mini bottles (50 ml each)

3 tablespoons well-beaten egg  

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1/4
cup strongly brewed coffee

  1. Preheat
    oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin with 6 large muffin papers.  
  2. Place Irish Cream
    liqueur, egg, and vanilla in cup; beat together vigorously with a fork, set
    aside.
  3. Whisk together flour,
    sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Add butter
    and liquid mixture; beat with an electric mixer on low speed until dry
    ingredients are moistened.  Add coffee and beat again until well
    incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl using a rubber spatula and beat
    well again.
  4. Divide batter between
    muffin cups.  Bake for 25-27 minutes or until cupcakes spring back when
    pressed in the center. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Chocolate
ganache filling

1/3
cup plus 2 tbsp. heavy cream

1 cup
milk chocolate chips

2
tablespoons butter

2
tablespoons Irish Cream liqueur (about half a mini bottle)

  1. Combine
    heavy cream and chocolate chips in a medium saucepan or a microwaveable bowl.  Heat on medium low until chips are melted and
    can be stirred smooth.  If using the
    microwave, heat at 30 second intervals until completely melted and mixture can
    be stirred smooth.  Add butter in pieces
    and stir until melted.  Add Irish cream.  Stir well.  Refrigerate until ganache is thickened but
    still fairly soft (see video). 
  2. Cut a
    large divot out of each cupcake and fill with ganache.  Discard cake piece or save them for breakfast
    tomorrow (smile).

Irish
cream frosting

2
sticks unsalted butter, softened

3 cups
confectioners’ sugar

1/4
cup plus two tablespoons Irish cream (about 1 1/2 mini bottles)

1 tsp.
vanilla extract

  1. Combine
    butter and confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl and mix on low speed with a
    hand mixer until just combined. 
    Gradually add in Irish cream. 
    Scrape down sides of bowl  and mix
    in vanilla.  Beat on high speed until
    light and fluffy.  Transfer to a piping
    bag fitted with a large closed star tip. 
    Pipe frosting over the surface of the cupcakes.

Irish
cream hot fudge sauce

1/2
cup unsweetened cocoa

1/4
cup milk chocolate chips

1/3
cup plus 1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2
cup coffee

1/2
cup Irish cream (2 mini bottles)

  1. Combine
    all ingredients in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat.  Whisk to incorporate.  Bring to a boil and let bubble one
    minute.  Remove from heat and let cool
    slightly before pouring into the empty Irish cream bottles.
  2. Pour
    a scant 1/4 cup of hot fudge sauce in each empty Irish cream bottle. Turn them upright and press the bottle neck into
    the frosting and down to the chocolate ganache filling. Sprinkle with cocoa powder and serve.
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Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
11 years ago

These should be a treat for every daily chore finished! And such fun styling! 🙂

Maggie @ A Bitchin Kitchen
Maggie @ A Bitchin Kitchen
11 years ago

These are the cutest cupcakes ever! I need an occasion to make a batch 🙂

vanillasugarblog
vanillasugarblog
11 years ago

I love your boots!
lol

Beard and Brew
Beard and Brew
11 years ago

These look so yummy! I have always made Irish car bomb cupcakes for St. Patrick's Day but these look so good I might have to try these instead!

Kier
Kier
11 years ago

What a fantastic idea!

kbwhat
kbwhat
11 years ago

Oh – my – God!!! Love the bottle idea…may have to do these but change up the chocolate cake to a Guinness chocolate stout cake…and do chocolate ganache with a wee bit of Jameson whiskey…otherwise these are going on my table for Saint Patrick's Day!

Farm Gate Creations
Farm Gate Creations
11 years ago

I'm so going to try these,thanks for the recipe.

Fabiana Del Nero
Fabiana Del Nero
11 years ago

Big surprise….really a special idea!!!!

Kelsey
Kelsey
11 years ago

Now THAT'S a cupcake!

TZ
TZ
11 years ago

OOOOOOOOOOO MMMMMMAAAAA GAAAWWWDD!! You are a rockstar!!! LOOOOVE This!!!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

This is the cutest and best thing i have EVER seen! Heather you are brilliant!And I really and truly mean it! This whole concept is outrageously awesome! I love it! It is totally interactive and special!

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
11 years ago

Exquiste! Those cupcakes look extremely tempting.

Cheers,

Rosa

Lynna
Lynna
11 years ago

Omg, this is too crazy! I love this idea and it's so interactive. I love it!

Bellenza Bistro
Bellenza Bistro
11 years ago

How ingenious are these??!! Cheers to St. Patrick's Day. 🙂

Cleopetra
Cleopetra
11 years ago

They look great!

Could you please tell me what the song that is playing in the video is?

Merceditas Bakery
Merceditas Bakery
11 years ago

Impresionante!!!!!

^_^

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Love them! Can't wait to try them–cheers to you for a great idea!

Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
11 years ago

You just created the most scrumptious looking cupcakes out there! Yum!

Angie - Big Bears Wife
Angie - Big Bears Wife
11 years ago

I love the presentation! stuff like this makes me love cupcakes even more!

Kelly
Kelly
11 years ago

I just love your videos Heather!

Angie - Big Bears Wife
Angie - Big Bears Wife
11 years ago

I love the presentation! stuff like this makes me love cupcakes even more!

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Your creativity blows my mind! What a clever idea!

Miss Meat and Potatoes
Miss Meat and Potatoes
11 years ago

The coolest most fun and yet gorgeous and delicious cupcake recipe I have EVER seen. You are a genius! And evil;)

cookies and cups
cookies and cups
11 years ago

There are no words for how much I love these.

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

These are so awesome! So creative! I love actually seeing the little Baileys bottle. Genius!

Pink Patisserie
Pink Patisserie
11 years ago

Goodness gracious. I love this.. Love the interactive and the overall aesthetic. Wow.

Mrs. Hofeldt
Mrs. Hofeldt
11 years ago

This is the most amazing thing you've ever posted.

Sue
Sue
11 years ago

What a cute idea with the tiny bottles:) The little "pool" of ganache is a great overhead shot!

Pretty Robotic
Pretty Robotic
11 years ago

So delicious looking! I adore the video! So helpful and snazzy! <3 this!

Colette (Coco)
Colette (Coco)
11 years ago

Love your sense of humour!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

Not only do these look delicious but this is such a fun idea! These are the perfect party cupcake!

Vicki Bensinger
Vicki Bensinger
11 years ago

OMG! Now that looks deadly! Very creative!!!!

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

OMG these look phenomenal! My aunt will be visiting me in a few months and she adores Bailey's. I'm saving this recipe for her visit!

Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
11 years ago

These are so fun!! I love boozy desserts, and these are over the top!

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Cute idea!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

Oh. My. God. I literally sat here with my jaw agape as I watched that video. This is such a cute and fun idea!

carla
carla
11 years ago

{explosion sound effect} mind: blown. and p.s. – you posted these on my birthday. pure. boozy. evil. genius.

Brigette Olmos-Arreola
Brigette Olmos-Arreola
11 years ago

yummmmmm!

YinMom YangMom Allie
YinMom YangMom Allie
11 years ago

what a clever idea! i just love it. your photography is always so beautiful…!

Lora
Lora
11 years ago

I didn't think it was possible but you may have outdid yourself on this one. These are amazing!

Heather
Heather
11 years ago

These are the cutest things EVER! Just saw them on Foodgawker and had to click over to check them out! Love the little upturned bottles…very clever!

Sally
Sally
11 years ago

I love making individual dessert too! (Probably why cupcakes are my fave.) The bottle on top is such a cute touch. What type of cocoa powder are you using for the cakes?

-Sally

Giulia Cupcake
Giulia Cupcake
11 years ago

Gorgeous!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

When you say muffin tin, do you mean the larger kind where there are 6 to a tray? A volume measurement of an individual tin or the volume/weight of batter meant to go in each cupcake would be helpful. These look delish and exciting to try.

Tracy {pale yellow}
Tracy {pale yellow}
11 years ago

Wow! Chocolate in the middle and more chocolate to drizzle on top, I'm in love. What a lovely St. Patrick's Day treat!

Roshini
Roshini
11 years ago

Wow! What a lovely treat!! I'm so going to try it

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Wonderful! Can't wait to make them.

megan
megan
11 years ago

These are gorgeous!! Love them.

Wendy
Wendy
11 years ago

I love the idea of a hot fudge cupcake. The interactive element takes this to amazing! I'm leaning toward Kaluha instead of the Baily's.

Linda Roy
Linda Roy
11 years ago

I think I love you. 😉 Fabulous!!