I’ve gotta tell ya, around here, we’re huge fans of Nicole Rees’ Chocolate Stout Cake; It’s been our go-to chocolate cake since 2004 when Nicole suggested making mini bundts and giving them away as Christmas gifts along with the recipe, gourmet chocolate, and stout. Great idea, right?

But, it’s St. Patrick’s Day when we really feel compelled to pull this one out again. Blame it on the alcohol, as the song goes. Guinness adds depth to this cake and marries with the chocolate in a way that elevates both ingredients to euphoria-inducing levels.

I didn’t have to look very far to find this awesome combination in cupcake form (I’m trading Nicole’s glaze or a little cream cheese frosting, here). Bunkster, an ever-reliable member of our CooksTalk community, shared a photo and link in the Gallery this week that made me think: Hey. . .I’d like one of those right about now. You can get more details on the cupcakes, including Bunky’s recipe, on her blog Bunkycooks.  

A special tip for our audience in Atlanta: Offer to dog-sit for Bunky. She travels quite a bit and she pays in cupcakes.