Shawn Kelvin, a blithe young lad of 20, went to the States to seek his fortune. And 15 years thereafter he returned to his native Kerry, his blitheness sobered and his youth dried to the core, and whether he had made his fortune or whether he had not no one could be knowing for certain. For he was a quiet man, not given to talking about himself and the things he had done. A quiet man, under middle size, with strong shoulders and deep-set blue eyes below brows darker than his dark hair – that was Shawn Kelvin. One shoulder had a trick of hunching slightly higher than the other, and some folks said that it came from a habit he had of shielding his eyes in the glare of an open-hearth furnace in a place called Pittsburgh, while others said it used to be a way he had of guarding his chin that time he was a sort of sparring-partner punching bag at a boxing camp.
These are the opening lines of “The Quiet Man,” a short story by Maurice Walsh. The story was a staple of sophomore English when I taught it back in the day. It was never my favorite piece of literature to teach but I always liked to show the film. As I remember (and my recollection may be a bit skewed), it seemed that the kids always liked the film, especially the boys because of the brawl toward the end of the film.
I was a little surprised to see that the film The Quiet Man was our March Food ‘n Flix selection. Joanne from What’s On The List? is our host this month. (You can see her announcement post here.) I couldn’t really remember how food played a role in the film at all. Then it dawned on me. Joanne is so smart to host such an Irish film in March. You know…St Paddy’s Day and all. I am a little slow at times. And what a classic it is starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, directed by John Ford.
You can click here for the full story. For a thirty second synopsis: Shawn (Wayne) is an expat American returning to his Irish roots. He marries the fiery Kate (O’Hara) against her brother’s wishes. Will, her brother, refuses to relinquish the dowry as is the Irish custom. Shawn doesn’t care but Kate continually nags him to confront her brother and obtain the dowry.
That’s it….if you haven’t seen it, I will leave you to figure out how this conflict is resolved. (It does result in some physical force.)
I decided that I would search for a quintessential Irish recipe for this post to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and to highlight the Irishness of the film.
Would I choose Colcannon or Irish Soda Bread or Corned Beef and Cabbage? I was unsure as to what direction to go.
Then I found this recipe.
What could be more Irish than a Guinness and Bailey’s and Jameson’s cupcake?
St. Patrick’s Day Spiked Cupcakes
based on Guiness, Bailey’s and Whiskey Chocolate Cupcakes1 c. Guinness
1 stick plus 1 T. of unsalted butter
2 c. dark brown sugar
3/4 c. sour cream
2 eggs
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa
1 t. pure vanilla extract
2 c. flour
2 1/2 t. baking sodaPreheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Pour Guinness in a large sauce pan. Add the butter and heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat and whisk in the cocoa and brown sugar.
In a bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Carefully pour in the beer mixture and continue to beat.
Sift together the flour and baking soda (or just whisk together in a separate mixing bowl). Carefully add the dry ingredients to the wet. Mix until smooth and all ingredients are incorporated.
Scoop into lined muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes or until inserted cake tester comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes, remove them from the muffin tin and let them cool completely on a rack.
This recipe makes 24 regular size cupcakes.
While cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting (and take a swig if needed).
Boozy Irish Frosting
1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
8 oz. cream cheese at room temperature
3 c. powdered sugar
2 T. Bailey’s Irish Cream
1 T. Jameson’s Irish WhiskeyBeat butter and cream cheese at medium-to-high speed for a few minutes in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add booze and mix at lower speed. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on a low speed until smooth.
Frost cooled cupcakes.
Maybe if Mary Kate had just made these cupcakes for Shawn instead of nagging him about obtaining the dowry, Sean wouldn’t have had to confront Will. Cupcakes can solve a multitude of problems, even family squabbles and fist fights.
However, these cupcakes pack their own punch.
Join in the fun for April when Camilla from Culinary Adventures is hosting Chef. Anyone can participate. Click here for more information.
Can you believe that I have never had a cake made with Guinness? Now I am so tempted to give this a try too. Your cupcakes look festive and very beautiful, Debra.
There is a great ginger bread cake recipe that uses Guiness and I saw a great chocolate cake recipe at Cafe Sucre Farine.
Your cupcakes look so pretty and I’d love to have one. Bet they’re delicious!
The Quiet Man is a great movie! I’ve seen it many times since my hubby is a huge John Wayne fan. And fiery Kate is pretty good too!
I agree about the movie but I have always thought it was so not-John-Waynesque.
Talk about putting a smile on faces. This one puts a smile on MINE. I don’t know if the frosting would ever get on the cupcakes. YUM!
Pretty yummy stuff. Stuck some in the lounge at work and they didn’t last long.
Your boozy cupcakes are perfect for the film as there was certainly more drinking going on than food in the movie. 😉 And the Bailey’s in the frosting just makes me happy. Love how festive they are too. Great photos!
Yep. I was just excited to use all of the Irish booze!
These cupcakes are making me smile, and I haven’t even tasted them 😛
Yum!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
You would smile even more if I could send you one!
I know a few of my family members who would love these cupcakes. They look so cute and I am sure they bring a smile in everyone’s face!
These are on my must make again list!
I’m impressed that you used Guinness, Bailey’s, and Irish whiskey in the same recipe! That’s deserves a prize of some sort — you’re an inspiration to all of us! Plus this looks like a darn good dish — thanks.
Now, if you could just whip up a cocktail to accompany them! (Wait, maybe no cocktail is needed with these boozed up cakes.)
I had no idea there was a book that went with the movie, Debra. I haven’t watched that movie in such a long time but I did enjoy it many moons ago. Personally, I think you have chosen just the right dessert to share not only for the movie but for St. Patrick’s Day also. The “Boozy” frosting would be good enough for me but slathering it over those cupcakes just brings me to a whole new world! Thanks for sharing, Debra…
The Bailey’s does certainly elevate that frosting to being spoon worthy!
Oh man, I must have a bit of “high school boy” mentality, because the brawl was my favorite scene! 😉 ha ha ha…oh well, whatcha gonna do. This is perfectly inspired, as the Irish booze played one of the biggest roles in this flick. Fun one!
Thanks, Heather. I think I was influenced by teaching those boys for so long, too. Fun film for March.
Guinness and cocoa… what a complement! St. Patty’s day came and went for me this year in a total blur, and it shouldn’t have as my husband is nearly all Irish. He would have loved a treat like these!
We were out amongst the crowds and actually made a St. Paddy’s Day Parade (at least the tale end of it b/c we were traveling through a kind of party city). It usually comes and goes around here without much fanfare either.
Oh man, I used to make something similar in college. They were the favorite cupcakes!
They are definitely my new favorite!
These cupcakes look delicious Debra and combine my two favorites of Bailey’s and Whiskey! Thanks for participating in this month’s #foodnflix which I was happy to debut host! Well done and pinned! Great recipe!
Thank you, Joanne, and thank you for hosting this month.
[…] I don’t know about you, but I could go for a slice of Heather’s cake and as Heather shared: “Black beers, such as porters and stouts are some of my personal favorite” Mine too Heather! How delightful do Debra from Eliot’s Eats’ St. Patrick’s Day Spiked Cupcakes look? […]
Debra, freaking amazing cupcakes! I want 3 now! So funny you know the film so well.
I would recommend 4!
I love boozy cupcakes!! I would stuff my face with these!
Pretty rich, actually, but knock yourself out!
Glad to see I’m not the only one who did dessert. Looks so good. (Kimberly at Coffee and Casseroles)
Great minds….
I love this recipe…..definitely going to keep it in mind for next St. Pat’s day.
Hope you don’t wait that long.
YUM! The cupcakes look so good, and your photos amazing. I love Baily’s and cupcakes! Can’t wait til next month.
I have to get the next film watched!
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