Guinness Chocolate Cake

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cake is everything a chocolate lover dreams of—dark, moist, and deeply flavorful. The addition of Guinness stout intensifies the chocolate without making the cake taste like beer. It adds richness and depth, creating a sophisticated twist on classic chocolate cake. It’s easy to prepare, impressive to serve, and perfect for both casual and special occasions.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Guinness stout (or another dark stout)
• Unsalted butter
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Granulated sugar
• Sour cream
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Optional: semi-sweet chocolate for ganache
• Optional: heavy cream (for ganache or frosting)
• Optional: cream cheese and powdered sugar (for cream cheese frosting)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch springform pan or two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. Heat beer and butter: In a saucepan, heat the Guinness and butter over medium heat until the butter melts. Remove from heat and whisk in cocoa powder and sugar until smooth.
3. Add wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Add to the chocolate mixture and stir until combined.
4. Add dry ingredients: Sift in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir just until no streaks of flour remain—do not overmix.
5. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45–50 minutes (for springform) or 30–35 minutes (for round pans), until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
6. Cool completely before frosting or serving.
7. Frosting options:
   • Ganache: Melt semi-sweet chocolate with warm heavy cream, then cool slightly and pour over the cake.
   • Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, add powdered sugar, and mix until fluffy.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 10 to 12 people.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Cooling and frosting time: 1 hour
Total time: About 2 hours

Variations

• Cupcake version: Bake in lined muffin tins for 18–22 minutes.
• Chocolate whiskey frosting: Add a splash of Irish whiskey to the ganache or frosting for an extra kick.
• Add espresso: Add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder for deeper chocolate flavor.
• Vegan version: Use plant-based butter, dairy-free yogurt, and egg substitutes like flax eggs.
• Layered version: Split into two pans and add a layer of frosting or ganache between for a taller presentation.

Storage/Reheating

Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. If using cream cheese frosting, refrigeration is recommended.

To freeze, wrap unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and serving.

To reheat a slice, microwave for 10–15 seconds just to soften it slightly—especially if chilled.

FAQs

Does Guinness make the cake taste like beer?

No. The beer enhances the chocolate flavor and adds richness, but the final cake has no noticeable beer taste.

Can I use a different type of beer?

Yes, any dark stout works well. Avoid light or fruity beers, which won’t offer the same richness.

Can I make it without alcohol?

You can substitute stout with strong brewed coffee or a non-alcoholic stout, but it will change the flavor profile slightly.

What type of cocoa powder should I use?

Use unsweetened natural cocoa powder. Dutch-processed can also be used for a smoother, darker flavor.

Is the cake sweet?

It’s moderately sweet, balanced by the bitterness of the stout and the richness of cocoa.

Can I use boxed cake mix and add Guinness?

Yes, replace the water in a chocolate boxed mix with Guinness for a quick version with similar flavor notes.

What’s the best frosting for this cake?

Cream cheese frosting is traditional and tangy, while chocolate ganache gives a sleek, rich finish.

Can I bake it in a bundt pan?

Yes, grease the pan well and adjust baking time to 50–60 minutes.

Why do I need sour cream?

Sour cream adds moisture and a slight tang, enhancing texture and balancing sweetness.

Is this cake good for special occasions?

Absolutely. Its deep flavor and elegant presentation make it perfect for birthdays, holidays, or St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Conclusion

Guinness Chocolate Cake is a rich, moist dessert that brings out the best in chocolate with the surprising addition of stout beer. It’s an easy yet sophisticated treat that’s perfect for chocolate lovers and those looking to try something a little different. Whether topped with creamy frosting or a shiny ganache, this cake is sure to impress and satisfy with every bite.

Guinness Chocolate Cake

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Guinness Chocolate Cake is an ultra-moist, rich chocolate cake made with stout beer to intensify its deep cocoa flavor. Topped with a luscious ganache or tangy cream cheese frosting, this dessert is both sophisticated and comforting, perfect for special occasions or an indulgent treat.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 10–12 servings
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American/Irish
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch springform pan or two 8-inch round cake pans.,In a saucepan over medium heat, combine Guinness and butter. Heat until butter melts, then whisk in cocoa powder and sugar until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.,In a separate bowl, whisk together sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir into the chocolate mixture until combined.,Sift in flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently mix until no flour streaks remain. Do not overmix.,Pour batter into the prepared pan(s) and bake for 45–50 minutes (springform) or 30–35 minutes (round pans), until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.,Cool completely before frosting.,For ganache: Heat cream just to a simmer, pour over chopped chocolate, let sit 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Cool slightly before pouring over cake.,For cream cheese frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla until fluffy. Spread over cooled cake.

Notes

The beer flavor is subtle and enhances the chocolate without overpowering it.,For extra depth, add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder to the batter.,Use high-quality cocoa powder for best results.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice (with ganache)
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 38g
• Sodium: 320mg
• Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: undefined
• Trans Fat: undefined
• Carbohydrates: 58g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 95mg