March Cupkins: Guinness Spiced Muffins

It's March the month that's in like a lion out like a lamb. I can't wait for the lamb part of the month... because it means spring is right around the corner!

St. Patrick's Day (the last of what I think of as the "winter holidays" because it's often so cold and snowy still) is just a few weeks away and it's this month's theme for Cupkins (a cupcake and muffin collaboration between Joanne at Ready, Set, Craft! and I).

I was really, really pleased with how these came out. I used Guinness to make these fit the St. Pat's Day theme and I had no idea using it would make such delicious muffins! (I may have to bake with beer more often)

Hubby said it smelled "homey" while they were baking and he couldn't wait to try them. He's normally not a spice flavored dessert type of guy (he goes for anything chocolate instead) but he loved these.

Here's how to make them:

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Spray a muffin tin with non-stick spray. This recipe will make 6 large muffins or 12 standard sized- I used the over sized muffin tin and made 6.

You'll need:

• 1/2 cup of Guinness (you can make 4 batches of muffins from one 12oz bottle)
• 1.5 Cups of flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup of applesauce
• 1/4 cup of milk
• 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
• 3/4 of a tablespoon of cinnamon (I actually used a full tablespoon because I really like cinnamon but I think most people would like a little less cinnamon).

Put dry ingredients (except for spices) into a mixing bowl. Add all the wet ingredients (put the beer in last).

Mix just until combined. Then add the spices and stir until incorporated evenly. Divide batter evenly into cups. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a skewer inserted into each muffin comes out clean.

The batter is thick and bakes up into a moist airy muffin (even thought there's hardly any oil in this recipe). The Guinness really compliments the spiced cinnamon flavor perfectly. I hope you give them a try! (and please let me know if you do)

Now to really indulge your sweet tooth and head over to Joanne's by clicking on the Cupkins logo at the bottom of the page. She has an awesome recipe for Double Chocolate Irish Cream Cupcakes! (oh boy my mouth was watering just hearing that title)

Don't they look good... and perfectly decorated for St. Pat's Day. Enjoy!