The Creamiest Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe You’ll Ever Bake

Crafting a decadent Guinness chocolate cake transforms ordinary baking into a rich, spirited adventure.

Layers of deep, dark chocolate mingle with Ireland’s famous stout, creating an unexpectedly harmonious blend.

Moist crumbs promise intense flavor that dances between sweet and robust.

chocolate lovers will appreciate how beer adds unexpected depth to classic dessert techniques.

Each slice tells a story of culinary creativity and bold ingredients.

Cocoa and Guinness merge in a delightful symphony that challenges traditional cake expectations.

You’ll want to slice into this masterpiece and savor every remarkable bite.

Guinness Chocolate Cake Decadence

• Boost Flavor Complexity: Guinness adds rich, deep notes that transform an ordinary chocolate cake into a gourmet experience with unexpected depth and sophistication.
• Simplify Baking Process: Straightforward ingredients and clear steps make this recipe accessible for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced home cooks.
• Craft Celebration-Worthy Dessert: Perfect for adult gatherings, St. Patrick's Day parties, or any occasion needing a show-stopping chocolate dessert that impresses guests with its unique twist.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Combines familiar chocolate cake comfort with a grown-up beer-infused sophistication that appeals to diverse palates and makes sharing delightful.

Ingredients for Guinness Chocolate Cake

• Guinness: A rich, dark stout beer that adds depth and moisture to the chocolate cake.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers intense chocolate flavor and dark color to the cake.

• Flour: Creates the structural base of the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cake browning.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure.
• Sour Cream, Vanilla: Add moisture and enhance the cake's flavor complexity.

• Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar, Heavy Cream: Combine to create a smooth, creamy, and light frosting for the cake.

How to Bake Guinness Chocolate Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350F. Grab your 9-inch round cake pan and give it a generous butter coating, then line it with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

Step 2: Create Chocolate Liquid Base

In a saucepan, combine Guinness and butter. Heat gently until butter melts completely.

Remove from heat and whisk in cocoa powder. Let the mixture cool down slightly and become a rich, dark blend.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients together until well blended.

Step 4: Prepare Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Sour cream
• Vanilla extract

Beat these ingredients until they become smooth and creamy.

Slowly pour in the Guinness-chocolate mixture, stirring continuously.

Step 5: Combine and Pour Batter

Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredient mixture.

Stir until the batter becomes smooth and uniform in color. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean when the cake is ready. Remove and let the cake cool completely.

Step 7: Whip Up the Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Gradually add heavy cream and continue beating until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.

Step 8: Frost and Serve

Once the cake has cooled, generously spread the creamy frosting over the top. Slice and serve this decadent Guinness chocolate cake to eager guests.

Secrets to Guinness Chocolate Cake

• Add a pinch of espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor and deepen the cake's richness without overpowering the Guinness taste.
• Ensure ingredients like eggs and sour cream are at room temperature for smoother batter and more even baking.
• Check cake doneness early by testing with a toothpick around 40 minutes to prevent potential overbaking and maintain moisture.
• Use full-fat sour cream for a more tender crumb and richer texture in the cake's final result.
• Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to meld and develop more complexity.

Creative Spins on Guinness Chocolate Cake

• Irish Coffee Cake Variation: Replace Guinness with strong brewed coffee for a classic coffee-chocolate flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Swap butter with coconut oil, use dairy-free cream cheese alternative, and replace heavy cream with coconut cream for a vegan-friendly version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum to maintain cake's texture and structure.
• Spiced Chocolate Edition: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cayenne pepper into the dry ingredients for a warm, complex flavor enhancement.

Serving Ideas for Guinness Chocolate Cake

• Pub Night Dessert: Serve slices alongside a cold pint of Guinness for an authentic Irish pub experience that highlights the cake's rich beer flavor.
• Decadent Chocolate Moment: Top each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a light drizzle of caramel sauce to enhance the cake's deep chocolate notes.
• Afternoon Tea Twist: Cut cake into small squares, dust with powdered sugar, and pair with freshly brewed Irish breakfast tea for an elegant mid-day treat.
• Holiday Showstopper: Garnish with chocolate shavings, a sprinkle of sea salt, and serve during St. Patrick's Day celebrations as a festive centerpiece dessert.

How to Store Guinness Chocolate Cake

• Store leftover Guinness chocolate cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Refrigerate the cake if topped with cream cheese frosting, keeping it fresh for up to 5 days in a sealed container.
• Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before storing to prevent drying out and preserve taste.
• Reheat refrigerated cake slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes until warm and soft.

FAQs

• Why use Guinness in a chocolate cake?

Guinness adds depth and richness to the chocolate flavor, creating a moist and complex cake with subtle malty undertones that enhance the overall chocolate experience.

• Is this cake alcoholic?

No, the alcohol cooks off during baking, leaving behind only the rich flavor of the stout, making it safe and delicious for most people to enjoy.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have some on hand?

You can replace sour cream with Greek yogurt, and if you don’t have Guinness, try using strong coffee or dark stout beer as an alternative to maintain moisture and flavor depth.

Moist Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich Guinness chocolate cake marries Irish stout’s deep flavor with luxurious chocolate in a moist, indulgent dessert. Dark cocoa and smooth Guinness create a complex, irresistible treat you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup Guinness stout
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs

Wet Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9-inch round cake pan by greasing and lining with parchment paper.
2. In a saucepan, gently warm Guinness and butter until butter completely dissolves. Remove from heat, whisk in cocoa powder, and allow to cool slightly.
3. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blending flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and uniform.
5. Gradually incorporate the warm Guinness-cocoa mixture into the egg mixture, stirring continuously to prevent curdling.
6. Fold the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until a rich, smooth batter forms without overmixing.
7. Transfer the batter into the prepared cake pan, ensuring even distribution.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that should come out clean.
9. Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
10. Prepare frosting by beating cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
11. Gradually add heavy cream, continuing to beat until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
12. Once the cake has cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly across the top.
13. Slice and serve the decadent Guinness chocolate cake at room temperature.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth batter mixing and even cake texture.
• Swap Guinness with non-alcoholic stout or dark coffee for family-friendly version.
• Consider reducing sugar slightly if using sweetened cocoa powder to balance overall sweetness.
• Test cake doneness early to prevent dry texture, checking at 40 minutes with toothpick method.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 409 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 208 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg