GUINNESS CUPCAKES WITH NUTELLA CREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• 1. Set out butter, cream cheese, and buttermilk to become room temperature (20 minutes). Preheat oven to 350.
• 2. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners. (About 24)
• 3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and ground ginger. Set aside.
• 4. In the bowl of a stand mixer, with a whisk attachment, (or any large mixing bowl, if you're using a handheld mixer), combine the Guinness, milk, oil and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for about 1 minute each. If using a stand mixer, switch to the paddle attachment if needed.
• 5. Add the buttermilk and beat until well combined.
• 6. Slowly add the dry mixture and beat until just incorporated.
• 7. The batter will be thin and it may even be a little bit lumpy, but that's okay.
• 8. Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners.
• 9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. The tops should spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick should come out clean.
• 10. Remove pans from the oven. Allow the cupcakes to cool for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Cool completely before frosting!
• 11. For the frosting, in the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment (or any large mixing bowl if you're using a handheld), beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. (About 3-5 minutes on medium speed).
• 12. Add Nutella, salt, and vanilla extract; beat until well combined.
• 13. On low speed, slowly add confectioners' sugar. Once the sugar is blended into the butter mixture, increase the speed to medium and beat until well combined.
• 14. If the frosting looks too thick, add about 1-2 teaspoons of milk or cream and beat to combine.
• 15. Either pipe out the frosting or use a small offset spatula. Decorate as desired. Use chocolate candy, malt balls, or a St. Paddy's Day decoration.