Mega Trip: Germany- Beer Spiced Cupcakes with Honey Buttercream

I know its been a while since I've mentioned Mega Trip, but I had to wait for the right moment to continue our cupcake story. Today I'm going to highlight one of the most enjoyable stops on any of my trips, Munich, Germany. My husband has always wanted to travel to Munich for one reason and one reason only ...

Oktoberfest.
Being an avid home brewer and beer drinker, my husband enjoys German beer and has always wanted to go to Oktoberfest. He brews by the "German purity law" or Reinheitsgebot. Reinheitsgebot only allows a few ingredients used in the production of beer. They are water, barley and hops and it was later amended to include yeast, wheat malt and cane sugar. It is said that because of the pure ingredients that copious amounts of beer can be consumed without the fear of the dreaded hangover the next day. Oktoberfest certainly put this to the test. Well, theory tested and in the infamous words of Adam and Jamie deemed "plausible".


Oktoberfest was nothing like I ever expected! It was a huge carnival complete with roller coasters and rides with huge German-engineered beer party tents or 'Festzelts'. Like no other tent I've been in, these are elaborate two story crafted building themed by the brewery that built it. Each tent serves their own beer and food. The beer 'wenches' happy at least 10 1 liter steins in one trip! How is that possible you ask? Very carefully with 4 in each hand and two (or more) on top of those! Everyone is happy cheering and singing songs. We had a blast drinking and singing along.

This was definitely a highlight of Mega Trip and definitely cupcake-inspiration worthy.

Okay so how to sum up Oktoberfest in a cupcake? Beer of course! For the Munich cupcake I present Beer Spiced Cupcakes with Honey Frosting. I got the idea from Love and Flour, but wasn't sure about the recipe in high altitude so I adapted the Guinness and Bailey's cupcakes that I've made before.

Beer Spiced Cupcakes
adapted from Guinness and Bailey's
preheat oven 350 degrees

1 cup ale (German if you can)
1 cup unsalted butter
13.75 oz all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp nutmeg
2 large eggs
2/3 cup sour cream

1. Combine the ale and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt butter. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and spices.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the eggs and sour cream to blend.  Add the ale-butter mixture and beat just to combine.  
3. Mix in the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon just until incorporated.
4. Fill liners to 3/4 full.

Fill liners to 3/4 full. Makes 24 cupcakes. Bake for 15 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Set aside to cool.

Honey Frosting

2 sticks of butter softened

1 tsp vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract

3-4 cups powdered sugar as desired

2 tbsp honey

4 tbsp heavy whipping cream

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, cream softened butter, vanilla. Add vanilla. Mix well.
2. Add whipping cream alternately with as much powdered sugar to get desired consistency. Add honey. Mix well.
3. Add salt to taste.

Fill pastry bag with large tip and frost cupcakes. Add sprinkles if desired.

Beer Spiced Cupcakes with Honey Frosting were a big hit with the guys and quickly disappeared from the table at work. They had a very subtle beer taste and could probably use more. Next time I may try adding beer to the frosting.