Words cannot describe how elated I am to be writing this post. Let me recap the past two weeks for you (not that you missed out on much): wake up at an ungodly hour, ponder the fact that the sun will not rise for 2-3 hours, park my rear on the sofa (which does have my butt-imprint, I admit), study until my eyes twitch, wonder when the misery will end, study some more, complain about law school exams, go to sleep, and repeat. You’d think 2L year would’ve mellowed me, but no. I’m just as anal as I remember myself being—much to poor Todd’s chagrin.
Well, exams are over! [Insert happy dance here.] I have way over 1000 posts in my google reader on which to catch up (everyone please forgive my tardiness in getting around to commenting). But you know what? I can’t wait!!
So, I’m so happy to announce my return to blogging with this wonderful SMS recipe for Guinness Gingerbread. Katie of KatieCakes chose this fabulous recipe from Melissa Murphy’s Sweet Melissa Baking Book. Have you been to her blog? I’m hoping that you’ve answered “yes” to this question. If you haven’t visited, you need to get on that. Katie makes the tastiest treats. She’s got a great sense of humor, and I always enjoy reading her blog. Plus, she’s from the UK, which makes her extra special in my book. (Can I come visit you, Katie?)
The gingerbread recipe was fabulous! Like Katie, I chose to make cupcakes from the gingerbread recipe, which turned out 24 regular sized cupcakes. I might recommend spraying the cupcake liners, as these little guys are quite sticky. Sticky, but totally delicious! They’ve got a great gingery depth of flavor. I couldn’t taste the Guinness, but I can only imagine that it added great depth of flavor.
To top my little cuppies, I made a Guinness-Godiva Liqueur cream cheese frosting. It’s essentially 2 8-oz bricks of cream cheese, 1 stick of butter (1/2 cup), 2 cups of packed confectioner’s sugar, 2 TBS Guinness, 2 TBS Godiva Liqueur, 1 TBS dark cocoa powder, and 1 TBS vanilla. Deeeelicious!
Thank you so much, Katie, for this wonderful pick! Don’t forget to check out all of the SMS’ers wonderful creations. (P.S. I’m so glad to be back to blogging, and I promise to be commenting on all of your blogs soon!!)
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125 comments:
These look great. I love that you made them as cupcakes. And welcome back to the real world :)
Congrats on finishing your law school exams Elyse!! It is the best feeling to be done! Your cupcakes look amazing! I love the frosting you made and it looks so pretty piped on top of the cupcakes. I thought this gingerbread was yummy. Glad you're back to blogging :)
Congrats on finishing your exams!!! Really like the cupcake idea, mine wasn't gingery enough. Must try your frosting, sounds yummy.
COngrats! And goodness gracious, what kind of a temptress are you!
yay for finishing finals!! i love your cupcakes and the frosting you made for them. we don't normally have any beer around so i had to skip this one
elyse esquire and baker extraordinaire....these cupcakes were worth the wait...
Thanks for the lovely comment, you made me do a big smile! And you can visit me if I can visit you :)
Your cupcakes look amazing, I really want to swoop my finger through that frosting. Yum!! I should really have made more than 12 cupcakes myself, they turned out massive!!
Katie xox
Congratulations!! Isn't that general sigh of relief the best feeling ever? Those cupcakes look fantastic. I didn't have it together to make the gingerbread this week but I love seeing your variation and I'm going to make a note of it in my book.
Yay, Elyse! What a great feeling; sanity must not be overrated. Nor gingerbread. I ama ginger fiend--I want to dive into your kitchen right now! Camilla :)
Dancing and singing just for you! Woohoo! Do you get the summer off? GREAT looking cupcakes--holy cow that frosting looks amazing! I love gingerbread--more than I thought I did until we TWDers made a few things with it. YUMMMM!
Welcome back! I missed out chats. You gingerbread cupcakes look great, but that frosting looks incredible!
In my opinion no cupcake can go wrong with a cream cheese frosting - and Guinness and Godiva? Even better. Looks great!
And congrats on surviving exam hell!
That's great that you are finished and these cupcakes look very sepcial indeed!
I missed you! I hope you did well on your exams. The frosting looks so luscious and creamy.
Congratulations on finishing your exams! Those look so delicious with all that frosting on top; it makes me wish I had made cupcakes.
Now that your exams are over you can relax and enjoy life. This recipe perfect to celebrate.... :)
That frosting is way too tempting!! Welcome back, I've missed you.
Congrats on finals and welcome back. Though I'm not a huge fan of Guinness, I love gingerbread and these just look delicious!
Moist & absolutely delicious..what a great way to come back to blogging!! YUM!!
I'm glad your exams are finally over! That's a HUGE relief, I know. The cupcakes are beautiful!
Congrats on being done with exams, and welcome back -- we've missed you! Great recipe to come back to - those Guiness cupcakes look delicious! I'll take one cupcake and one pint, please.
Oh, your cupcakes look fantastic! The frosting sounds amazing...
You're back!! Hooray!! Congrats on finishing your exams. Your cupcakes look great, especially with that decadent frosting on there!!
Congrats to you! Yummmmy. These cupcakes look fantastic. I bet the flavors were wonderful together.
Woo-hoo, Elyse!!! Congrats, you made it! I am so happy for you. These muffins are so pretty, and look delicious. I don't care for stout, but I hate beet too yet love it in all kinds of dishes (oooooh, especially borracho beans). I totally relate about being hehind-- I am just drowning in work work and haven't had much time to read all my favorite blogs. I have missed everyone! :) K
Glad you are back:) Congrats to you!!! I am glad you are celebrating with something sweet:)
Congrats on finishing your exams! Your gingerbread cupcakes look fantastic. I love the way you decorated them.
Godiva liqueur? What an outstanding selection for the frosting.
Too bad I missed this one - it's too hot here for this type of dessert.
I'm glad to see you back!! Geez I don't think I could go through school again, kudos to you! You're cuppies are wonderful!!
Congrats on finishing your exams and welcome back!! I think I speak for a lot of us SMS-ers if I say, we missed you!! Your cupcakes look deliciously moist and tender. Love the cocoa/cream cheese frosting idea. Great job!
Those look delicious, and I'mn glad you're back from exam world! I see you go to school in Berkeley? I'm thinking of going there this summer (I'm traveling to San Francisco). I would love to hear any advice you might have!
YAAAAAY for finishing exams! What a relief, and I can't believe your schedule. You have more discipline in your little finger then I do in my whole body!
The cupcakes look divine, and so fun to make!
You deserve these beautiful gingerbread cupcakes! Rest up and eat well!
I was going to make these same cupcakes!!! We're bonding!
Your cupcakes looks so nice and moist!
Nice to see you back. I missed you! Glad that the finals are over, I remember them well...all too well.
boy, do I know what it's like with exams...Congrats on your law school exams being finished! I can't think of a better way to celebrate than your Guinness cupcakes!
Such great flavors! Congrats on surviving your exams. I look forward to more great posts.
Welcome back Kiddo! I was hoping to see you around this week. We need to catch up now - I'll email you to discuss. Love that you made cuppies too, and that frosting sounds out of this world.
I would have never thought to make these into cupcakes but its a wonderful idea. And the frosting sounds finger licking gooood.
Welcome back Elyse!
Welcome back Elyse!! I think I'll have to try the chocolate frosting idea next time I make this. Great idea!
Congratulations!
Wow. Guinness and Gingerbread? Sounds fabulous! I've made Guinness chocolate cake and loved it. I made a Guinness truffle that was luscious. Guinness Gingerbread is not doubt amazing. Your photos convince me.
Lovely! And your frosting is amazing!
Yay for you. Hope you can get a much deserved rest now! These gingerbread cupcakes look fantastic.
Yay for finishing your exams!!!
Your gingerbread cupcakes look fantastic!
Wow, these beauties are certainly a wonderful way of celebrating - congratulations on the exams!
OH my these look so good!!! I am drooling over the frosting! Welcome back!
These look great! Really creative combo!
Congratulations on finishing your finals! The cupcakes sound heavenly with ginger and Guinness!
what a perfect way to end studying/exams, beer cupcakes! i'm so glad you made it through and you're back! congrats :)
Welcome back and congratulations on finishing your exams! I've been on a gingerbread kick, too-- I love it, even out of "season" :)
Yum! These look delicious!
I'm glad you back from studying for exams! So, does this mean you're going to be spending all summer baking yummy things and blogging about them? :)
I hope so!
Congrats on finishing up your finals!
Great looking cupcakes. Im glad your finals all over!
Your cupcakes look fantastic and the frosting sounds awesome!
Guiness gingerbread! That sounds wonderful! And I think cupcakes are just so cute. Please don't apologize for being an absent commenter, I've been an absent poster! And you're excuse is so much more valid than mine. Congratulations on finishing your exams. How many years do you have left? Do you get the summer off now?
imagine, if you will, me doing a happy dance for you. that might be difficult since you've no idea what i look like (or how i dance), but that's what i've done for you. also, if i were in your shoes, i'd probably be chugging the guinness at this point, not using it in frosting... :)
So glad you are done, that always feels so good.
That frosting, OMG, I just copied it down, magnificent.
Congrats on finishing your exams; I bet you did great.
Next time I'll have to make this as muffins. They would be easier to freeze and I'd feel less pressure to eat THE WHOLE PAN (over the course of a couple of days!) as no one else in my family will eat gingerbread and I hate to throw it away.
Welcome back Elyse!! Your guinness cupcakes look great. I have used guinness in a chocolate cake before and it does give the flavor much more depth. So good!!!!
I was wondering what happened to you! Glad to have you back and yaey for your finals being over. I remember how painful and awful law finals were for my boyfriend. And these little cupcakes!! Yum. Especially that icing.
CONGRATSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! You must be SO thrilled to have a break! I am a crazy studier too, so I can totally relate!
These cupcakes look awesome and the icing looks amazing! What a great (WELL DESERVED!) treat.
Hi, Elyse! What a great recipes you posted! I copied the chocolate chip cookies and I'll bake them soon!
There's no problem about no comment in my blog, but you're always welcome there, so if you comment, I know you visited and it's always a pleasure to me!
I am so glad that you finally finish your exam, that way I can read your blog again.
That frosting really look luscious!
That looks delicious, Wow! good job!
How do you say no to this! Seriously. It combines beer with dessert. :) Great cupcakes!
Hope your law school exams went ok!! I know the feeling, I'm drowning in exams at the moment.
I'm sure these cupcakes made you feel loads better, they look delicious!! And I now have a terrible craving for gingerbread!!
All I can say is "wow"! Fabulous pictures. These look decadent and naughtily delicious.
Congrats on surviving exams.
Deb
Popped in to say hi! Law school and cupcakes--what a great combo!
Thanks for visiting my blog. These look fantastic
Woah! Those look super scrumptious!! :)
Congrats on your exams!
Does this mean more time for baking this summer?
oh elyse! i'm so glad you're back! I've missed you while you're gone, and all your gorgeous food porn! haha! congrats on finally being done! go pamper yourself now...one of those cupcakes sound like a nice indulgence :-)
hello lysie!
sounds like things have been bu---sy! hope it's all going well though. i'm sure it is, you smart cookie, you.
enjoy your cupcakes, cutie! they sound de-lish!
xo
Welcome back Elyse, and congrats on finishing you're exams! phew eh!
You're cupcakes look delish!!!
Hurray for exams being behind us and welccome back!
I've been crazy busy too and way behind on my commenting!
~ingrid
i'm glad you made it through...i can't even begin to imagine what a special hell the last two weeks must have been. but...i am so happy to see you back! these look fantastic and love that frosting...mmm!
Now you can totally relax - congrats on getting through the exams - the cupcakes look like the perfect treat to celebrate!
Welcome back and congrats!! Breathe a big sigh of relief and take a huge bite of one of those delicious cupcakes!
Welcome back to the blogging world! :)
Yummmm.... the cupcakes look so yummy!
Yum, as usual. Great photos too. Congrats on your exams. Wow, that just sounds crazy. Good for you. I could not be that dedicated. Very impressive.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, but no worries for not commenting. You are one busy girl.
Take care. Have some fun.
Congrats on being done with your exams - we missed you!! The cupcakes sound amazing - I love the idea of a Guinness gingerbread combo!
You must be so glad that your exams are over. And you came back with a great recipe. I have to try those.
CONGRATULATIONS on finishing up Law School. WHat an accomplishment! And welcome back to the blogging world!! Thanks for your sweet comment on Sisters Cafe! These cupcakes look outstanding!!
WOW, these cupcakes look great, look really yummie. Such a great way to celebrate. Congratulations!
Aaaah, I remember the days of law exams!! hope it all went well for you. Yuor cakes look fabulous. I bet your are relieved to have all those exams behind you and a clear concsience to bake as much as you like!
Welcome back to the world :)! Cupcakes look delicious.
Heh - your post definitely makes me remember the good ol' days of being a law school 2L!
(You probably know the saying - 1L: they scare ya to death; 2L: work ya to death; 3L: bore ya to death! LOL!)
Anyway, those cupcakes look absolutely fantastic! Congrats on making it through your finals :)
PS I'm glad to have found your blog!
That frosting looks wonferfully fluufy- mmmm!
these gorgeous cupcakes look a fab way to celebrate end of exams! Good luck for the results.
I remember how tedious law revision can be...the endless cases you have to remember!
Yum yum yum! I lovvve gingerbread. Doesnt it feel great when u finish an assignment or exams...like an elephants been lifted of your back and you can continue with life :)
Im struggling with an assignment at the moment...counting down the days until the deadline!
Good to see your happily back to blogging :)
This look KILLER!!! I want to try to make them...in one form or another. :P And don't apologize girl...good goin'!! Hope your exams went swimmingly :D
holy moly so many comments I almost scrolled my mouse wheel off!
Congrats on your final exams! When will you find out how you did?
These wonderful cupcakes are a well deserved reward, they look great!
Congrats on your exams! Those frosting swirls look so good!!
What a relief to be done! Congrats! These cup cakes are a great way to celebrate. They look amazing, moist and delish!
Welcome back! Hope all went well with your exams! The cupcakes look wonderful and you deserve a big break too! Relax and enjoy catching up at your own pace. Love everything you make!
Welcome back!! and congrats on being finished your exams!
The frosting on your cupcakes looks totally lickable :)
Yay!! I'm happy your exams are over!!! And these cupcakes are a great way to celebrate. The frosting is absolutely divine!! I could eat that with just a spoon!
Congratulations Elyse on your accomplishment and welcome back. I appreciate you visiting my blog as a TWD baker. Your baking accomplishments look awesome too. Enjoy the summer in the Bay Area. Sometimes, I miss living there (I lived for 40 years in Los Altos, now I live at the beach and do love it.)Take care.
Welcome back to the surreal world of food! Just getting through your last two weeks is a huge accomplishment! And you do know how to celebrate. Oh my - how luscious and rich and enticing are those cupcakes? Guiness is the perfect touch - and yes - I bet they added a deep, velvety depth to them. You do know how to return!
Congrats on finishing law school! How will you ever spend your time now?? :D haha
Much congratulations to you! What a fabulous feeling to have that over with! Your cupcakes look FANTASTIC!
oh, elyse, your comments on my blog always makes me feel so warm inside. You're a love-spreader!
Congrats on surviving exams- No small feat indeed!
Those cupcakes sound delicious, but the frosting is what's really catching my eye... So incredibly smooth and creamy!
whoa these sound incredible. that frosting... um, wow.
congrats on completing your exams. what a relief!
These LoOk delicous! Congrats!on your exams:) Frosting! Grand!
Thanks
and you can visit me if I can visit you:)
that looks great! what a wonderful introduction back to blogging! i'm glad that you're back! how were your law school exams?
Hooray for exams being over and double hooray for Guinness gingerbread! Just the kind of thing I fancy baking at the moment :)
I dunno if the b/f likes gingerbread, but he LOVES Guinness... I might make this for him! :D Looks delicious!
Great job on finishing your exams!
My husband is a lawyer, but he finished before we met, but I know how much studying is invovled!
Your cupcakes and the frosting on top look amazing!
Congratulations!! Your cupcakes look very special (and talk about tardiness - sorry it's taken me so long to come over here and leave you a comment!)
We could have an entire meal out of turkey burgers and cupcakes!
Hey! Congrats on finishing exams! Yippee! Glad to have you back. :) These cupcakes look divine!
Erin -from The Sisters Cafe
These look and sound fabulous! SMS is a serious reminder that I have owned that book for almost a year and have yet to bake a recipe from it. For shame :(
Happy Dance! Congrats on finishing your exams! This cupcake looks like the perfect treat!
oh elyse! DO please incorporate kabocha in to your baking. I've done it all the time, substituting any pumpkin or sweet potato recipes, and they always came out wonderful :-)
CONGRATS on finishing exams! You must have the biggest sense of relief. Have another cupcake to celebrate!
You must be so relieved to have finished your exams!!
These cupcakes look amazing. Such wonderful photos!
I am so glad you survived finals! What a great celebratory treat! The frosting would put me in a happy coma!
I am going to have to get my sugar fix through you now.
Looks wonderful! I love the icing you made, perfect.
oh wow.. these cupcakes are sick! just the way to celebrate after finishing those exams huh? you must feel like you've just been set free! woohoo!
Oooh this looks great. I love ginngerbread. I have been out of town for a while (and still am) so my reader looks similar.
I don't think I ever got up in the dark to study for anything. I can't decide if you are dedicated or insane. ;)
Your cupcakes look so insanely delicious that I want to crawl into my screen!
You must be so relieved! And now you can celebrate with all kinds of delicious baked treats! The lemon pound cake looks scrumptious--and what a great auction idea!--and the Guiness gingerbread cupcakes look mouth-wateringly delicious. Thanks so much for such a yummy blog!
Congrats on finishing up your school year! My brother just finished up his 2L year too, and I know he's been at wit's end for the past few weeks too. Oh, and the cupcakes look fab, looks like a yummy treat :)
Those cupcakes look amazing. And I really like the way the frosting is swirly.
Your gingerbread cupcakes are beautiful! I agree that this gingerbread recipe has great depth, can't wait to try it again with your guinness godiva cream cheese frosting, wow, what a delicious combo!
Absolutely gorgeous cupcakes!
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