Chocolate and beer cupcakes are what food dreams are made of

Chocolate and beer — what a combination! The two were destined to be together. Do as fate ordained and introduce them in the perfect Father’s Day treat: chocolate and beer cupcakes with caramelised beer and pretzel cream cheese frosting. Mmmm….

Chocolate and beer cupcakes

Ingredients:

For the batter:

• 100 millilitres beer (I used Augustiner Helles)
• 200 grams flour
• 30 grams cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 50 grams dark chocolate flakes
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 50 grams softened butter
• 200 grams brown sugar
• 1 egg

For the frosting:

• 50 millilitres beer
• 50 grams brown sugar
• 50 grams softened butter
• 200 grams cream cheese
• 500 grams icing sugar
• 50 grams pretzels
• Salt

Directions:

For the cupcakes:

1. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C. Prepare the cupcake liners.
2. In a small pot, bring the beer up to a simmer. Then take it off the heat and allow it to cool.
3. In a big bowl, beat the butter, sugar and egg until creamy and well combined.
4. Slowly add the flour, baking powder, salt and chocolate flakes, and mix until well combined.
5. Working a little bit at a time, add the warm beer to the mixture and beat. The batter will be quite liquid and thin.
6. Fill the cupcake liners about two-thirds of the way and bake for 15-20 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out clean).

For the frosting:

1. Throw the pretzels into a mixer and blend them up until they’re relatively fine.
2. In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, butter and icing sugar. Then add the pretzels and salt and fold them through.
3. In a small pot, bring the beer and brown sugar up to a simmer. Stir constantly until it reduces by half. Then take it off the heat and keep stirring. Add it to the cream cheese mixture and beat until it’s incorporated.
4. Cover the bowl with cling film and put the frosting in the fridge for at least an hour to allow it to harden. Once it’s ready (and the cupcakes have cooled), pipe or spoon the frosting onto the cupcakes and garnish with chocolate flakes or pretzels.

More Father’s Day recipes

3 Beer cocktails for Father’s Day
41 Favourite recipes for Father’s Day
Cream-filled moustache cake