The Dreamiest Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Buttercream Recipe

Dark and mysterious, this decadent guinness chocolate cake whispers stories of irish culinary magic.

Rich cocoa depths blend with smooth beer undertones, creating a dessert that surprises and delights.

Chocolate lovers will swoon over the intense, velvety texture that melts on your tongue.

Every slice promises a journey through deep, complex flavors balanced by creamy buttercream.

Weekend bakers can easily master this show-stopping treat that impresses without complicated techniques.

Sweet meets bold in a celebration of ireland’s most famous stout and classic baking traditions.

Trust me, you’ll want to slice into this incredible cake right now.

Why Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream Is A Showstopper

• Celebrate Boozy Baking: This cake transforms Guinness into a rich, moist chocolate masterpiece that elevates the classic dessert with an unexpected Irish twist.
• Quick Weekend Warrior Recipe: Prepare this impressive cake in under an hour, making it perfect for spontaneous baking adventures or last-minute gatherings.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Dessert: The combination of deep chocolate flavor and smooth Guinness creates a decadent treat that appeals to both adults and chocolate lovers, promising to be the star of any dinner party or potluck.
• No-Fuss Baking Experience: Designed with simple steps and common ingredients, this recipe welcomes bakers of all skill levels, from novice home cooks to seasoned pastry enthusiasts.

What Goes Into Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream

• Guinness Stout, Butter: Rich liquid that adds deep flavor and moisture to the cake, creating a moist and tender crumb.
• Cocoa Powder, Sugar: Provides deep chocolate intensity and balanced sweetness for the cake.
• Sour Cream, Eggs, Vanilla: Adds moisture, richness, and helps bind the cake ingredients together.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Baking Soda, Salt: Helps the cake rise and enhances the overall flavor balance.

• Butter, Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, creamy frosting base with classic sweetness.
• Irish Whiskey: Adds a traditional Irish flavor and depth to the buttercream.

Steps To Make Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Grab two 9-inch round cake pans and give them a loving coat of grease. Line the bottom with parchment paper for a smooth cake release.

Step 2: Brew Chocolate Magic

• Cocoa powder
• Sugar

Stir until the mixture becomes luxuriously smooth. Let it cool down a bit and catch its breath.

Step 3: Blend Creamy Goodness

• Sour cream
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Gently fold in the cooled Guinness mixture, creating a rich chocolatey symphony.

Step 4: Marry Dry and Wet Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Slowly introduce the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until everything becomes a harmonious batter.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Slide them into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it.

Step 6: Cool and Relax

Let the cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes. Gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is their time to settle and develop deep, rich flavors.

Step 7: Whip Up Irish Buttercream

• Softened butter
• Powdered sugar
• Irish whiskey
• Vanilla extract

Beat until the frosting becomes light and fluffy like a cloud.

Step 8: Frost and Assemble

Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of Irish buttercream. Top with the second cake layer. Cover the entire cake with remaining frosting, creating smooth or rustic swirls as you like.

Enjoy your decadent Guinness Chocolate Cake that combines the richness of chocolate with the smooth character of Irish stout!

Pro Tips For Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream

• Boost Guinness Flavor: Add an extra splash of Guinness to the batter for a deeper, richer beer undertone that complements the chocolate perfectly.
• Prevent Dry Cake: Check the cake a few minutes early to avoid overbaking, ensuring a moist and tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute dairy-free butter and plant-based sour cream to make this indulgent cake suitable for those with lactose intolerance.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring eggs, sour cream, and butter to room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more consistent cake batter.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap cooled cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to a month, making party prep easier and more convenient.

How To Store Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream

• Preserve your delectable Guinness chocolate cake by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or storing it in an airtight container.
• Refrigerate the cake for up to 5 days, keeping it fresh and moist.
• For longer storage, freeze the unfrosted cake layers by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, which will maintain their rich flavor for up to 3 months.
• Thaw frozen cake layers at room temperature for about 2 hours before frosting and serving, ensuring each slice tastes as incredible as when first baked.
• Keep the Irish buttercream separate when storing to prevent soggy cake edges and maintain the perfect texture of both frosting and cake.

Perfect Matches With Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream

• Perfectly Pair Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Coffee: The rich, malty Guinness cake beautifully complements a classic Irish coffee, where smooth whiskey and creamy coffee enhance the chocolate's deep flavors.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of cold, smooth vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm cake to create a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that highlights the cake's intense chocolate notes.
• Complement with Raspberry Coulis: Drizzle a tart raspberry sauce over the cake to cut through the richness, adding a bright, fruity dimension that balances the dark chocolate and Guinness intensity.
• Enjoy with Baileys Irish Cream: Pour a small glass of chilled Baileys alongside the cake, letting the creamy liqueur's sweet, smooth profile harmonize with the cake's deep, complex chocolate character.

Different Versions Of Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream

• Whiskey Caramel Version: Replace Guinness with Irish whiskey and add caramel sauce between cake layers for a rich, boozy flavor profile that enhances the chocolate's depth.
• Mocha Stout Sensation: Swap half the cocoa powder with espresso powder and use a coffee stout instead of Guinness, creating an intense coffee-chocolate experience with deeper roasted notes.
• Berry Irish Cream Fusion: Fold fresh raspberries into the batter and replace buttercream with a lighter Irish cream frosting, adding bright fruit notes to the dense chocolate cake.
• Salted Chocolate Decadence: Sprinkle sea salt over the frosting and mix dark chocolate chunks into the batter, intensifying the cake's richness and creating complex flavor layers.

Your Questions On Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream

• What makes Guinness special in this chocolate cake recipe?

Guinness adds incredible depth and richness to the chocolate cake, creating a moist, complex flavor that enhances the chocolate’s natural taste. The dark beer provides a subtle maltiness that makes the cake more interesting than standard chocolate cakes.

• Is this cake very beer-tasting?

No, the Guinness doesn’t make the cake taste like beer. It actually intensifies the chocolate flavor and creates a deeper, more sophisticated chocolate profile without overwhelming beer notes.

• Can I use a different type of stout if I don't have Guinness?

You can substitute with another dark stout beer, but Guinness is recommended for its specific flavor profile that complements chocolate perfectly. Other dark stouts will work similarly but might slightly alter the final taste.

• How difficult is this recipe for an average home baker?

This recipe is moderately easy and suitable for bakers with basic skills. The steps are straightforward, and the technique of combining beer with chocolate is simple. Even intermediate bakers can confidently create this delicious cake.

Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Rich Guinness chocolate cake with Irish buttercream weaves Irish culinary magic into a dessert that celebrates tradition and indulgence. Layers of deep chocolate and creamy frosting invite you to savor a delightful slice of Ireland’s sweet heritage.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup Guinness stout beer
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)

Dairy and Eggs:

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)

Flavoring and Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons Irish cream liqueur (like Baileys)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and lining two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper, ensuring smooth removal later.
2. Create a rich liquid base by gently warming Guinness and butter in a saucepan until fully integrated, then whisk in cocoa powder and sugar until achieving a silky, uniform consistency. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
3. Combine sour cream, eggs, and vanilla in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a creamy foundation. Gradually incorporate the cooled Guinness mixture, stirring to develop a harmonious blend.
4. In a separate vessel, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt to eliminate potential lumps. Slowly fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully to maintain a smooth, lump-free batter.
5. Distribute the batter evenly between prepared cake pans, ensuring balanced layers. Place in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that should emerge with minimal moist crumbs.
6. Remove cakes from the oven and allow them to rest in their pans for 10 minutes, enabling structural stabilization. Transfer to a wire cooling rack, permitting complete temperature reduction before further preparation.

Notes

• Boost the cake’s rich flavor by using high-quality dark cocoa powder with deep, intense chocolate notes.
• Create a moist, tender crumb by ensuring all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing, which helps them blend seamlessly.
• Prevent dry edges by checking the cake a few minutes early and using the toothpick test – a few moist crumbs mean perfectly baked cake.
• Enhance the cake’s depth by letting the Guinness and cocoa mixture cool slightly, allowing flavors to meld and develop complexity.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 390
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg