Irresistibly Rich Guinness Cake Recipe for Chocolate Lovers

Crafting a decadent guinness cake brings pure magic to your baking adventure.

Dark and luscious beer transforms this classic dessert into something extraordinary.

Chocolate lovers will swoon over the deep, complex flavors infusing every crumb.

Irish bakers have long celebrated this remarkable dessert that combines robust stout with rich cocoa.

Moist and tender, the cake promises an indulgent experience that surprises and delights.

Layers of intense chocolate and subtle beer notes create a memorable treat.

Each slice promises a culinary journey you won’t soon forget.

Let’s uncover the delicious secrets of this incredible guinness-infused masterpiece.

Why Rich Guinness Cake Is Deep, Moist, And Memorable

• Boost Flavor Complexity: This Guinness cake delivers a rich, deep chocolate taste with a unique beer-infused twist that elevates traditional chocolate desserts, creating a sophisticated flavor profile that surprises and delights.
• Simplify Baking Process: The recipe requires minimal technical skills, making it accessible for home bakers of all levels. Straightforward mixing techniques and standard ingredients ensure an easy, stress-free baking experience.
• Perfect for Celebration Moments: Ideal for St. Patrick's Day, adult gatherings, or special occasions where you want to impress guests with a memorable dessert that combines classic comfort with gourmet flair. The cake's striking appearance and unexpected flavor make it a conversation starter.
• Quick Preparation Magic: From start to finish, this cake comes together in under an hour, offering a quick yet impressive dessert option for spontaneous gatherings or when you need a delectable treat without spending hours in the kitchen.

What You’ll Need For Rich Guinness Cake

Main Ingredients:

• Guinness: Rich, dark beer that adds depth and moisture to the cake.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender crumb.

• Flour: Structural foundation of the cake, choose all-purpose for best results.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor with a dark, intense color.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with caramelization.

• Eggs, Sour Cream: Provide moisture, structure, and contribute to the cake's soft texture.

Flavoring and Enhancing Ingredients:

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic background note to the cake.
• Heavy Cream: Helps create smooth, creamy frosting consistency.

• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and creates tender crumb.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

Frosting Ingredients:

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create rich, tangy base for frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the frosting.

How To Bake A Rich Guinness Cake From Scratch

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350F (175C). Grab a 9-inch springform pan and give it a generous butter coating. Line the bottom with parchment paper to ensure an easy cake release.

Step 2: Create Liquid Magic

• Dark stout beer
• Unsalted butter

• Cocoa powder
• Granulated sugar

Stir until the mixture looks smooth and glossy. Let it cool down for a few moments.

Step 3: Blend Creamy Ingredients

• Tangy sour cream
• Fresh eggs
• Pure vanilla extract

Slowly pour in the cooled beer mixture, stirring continuously to create a silky smooth base.

Step 4: Combine Dry Elements

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Pinch of salt

Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix until just combined – don’t overwork the batter.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Slide it into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely inside the pan.

Step 6: Whip Up Creamy Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Softened butter

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Heavy cream

Mix until you achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Step 7: Frost with Flair

Spread the cream cheese frosting generously across the top of the cooled cake. Aim for a look that mimics the frothy top of a perfectly poured beer.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Cut generous slices and serve. This rich, moist cake pairs beautifully with a strong coffee or a splash of Irish cream liqueur.

Tips To Get A Moist Rich Guinness Cake Every Time

• Boost Guinness Cake Flavor: Add a splash of Irish whiskey to the batter for an extra depth of rich, complex taste that elevates the entire dessert.
• Prevent Dry Texture: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing to guarantee a moist, tender cake that melts in your mouth.
• Master Smooth Frosting: Sift powdered sugar before adding to cream cheese to eliminate lumps and create an ultra-silky, professional-looking topping.
• Control Baking Precision: Use an oven thermometer to verify exact temperature, preventing over or underbaking and maintaining the cake's perfect texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free cream cheese alternatives to make this decadent cake suitable for lactose-intolerant friends.

How To Store Rich Guinness Cake So It Stays Fresh

• Preserve your delicious Guinness cake's freshness by storing it properly in an airtight container.
• Refrigerate the cake for up to 5 days, keeping the cream cheese frosting stable and preventing spoilage.
• Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or place it in a cake carrier to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Allow the cake to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance its flavor and soften the texture.
• When freezing, wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, which will keep it fresh for 2-3 months.
• Thaw frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature before enjoying.
• Always use clean utensils when cutting to prevent introducing bacteria that could reduce the cake's shelf life.

What Tastes Best With Rich Guinness Cake

• Match Guinness with Sharp Cheddar: Pair a slice of rich, moist Guinness cake with a sharp aged cheddar cheese to balance the cake's deep chocolate and malty flavors, creating a delightful contrast of sweet and tangy notes.
• Sip Irish Cream Liqueur: Enjoy a chilled glass of Baileys Irish Cream alongside the cake, enhancing the dessert's creamy texture and complementing its robust Guinness undertones with a smooth, velvety liqueur.
• Brew Bold Coffee Companion: Serve a strong, freshly brewed dark roast coffee to highlight the cake's deep chocolate and Guinness characteristics, allowing the bitter coffee notes to harmonize with the cake's rich, complex flavor profile.
• Sprinkle Toasted Nuts Garnish: Garnish the cake with lightly toasted pecans or almonds to add a crunchy texture and nutty depth that beautifully accentuates the cake's moist, dense structure and enhance its overall taste experience.

Flavor Twists For Rich Guinness Cake Fans

• Chocolate Whiskey Upgrade: Replace Guinness with Irish whiskey for a stronger, more intense flavor profile. Enhance the cake's richness by adding dark chocolate chips to the batter for extra depth and decadence.
• Espresso Coffee Spin: Substitute Guinness with strong brewed espresso to create a mocha-inspired cake. Add a tablespoon of instant coffee powder to intensify the coffee notes and complement the chocolate base.
• Nutty Irish Crunch: Incorporate chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the batter for added texture. Sprinkle chopped nuts on top of the cream cheese frosting to give the cake a delightful crunch and nutty undertone.
• Salted Caramel Infusion: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce between cake layers and over the frosting. Mix a pinch of sea salt into the cream cheese frosting to balance the sweetness and create a more complex flavor experience.

FAQs For Rich Guinness Cake Bakers

• What makes Guinness Cake unique?

The Guinness stout beer adds incredible depth and moisture to the cake, creating a rich, dark chocolate flavor that’s more complex and less sweet than traditional chocolate cakes. The beer enhances the chocolate’s richness without tasting like alcohol.

• Is this cake alcoholic?

While Guinness is used in the recipe, the alcohol cooks out during baking. The beer primarily contributes to the cake’s flavor and texture, making it safe for most people to enjoy. The final cake does not taste like beer but has a deep, robust chocolate profile.

• Can I make this cake without Guinness?

You can substitute Guinness with strong coffee or dark stout alternatives. However, Guinness provides a specific flavor that’s hard to replicate exactly. The coffee substitute will maintain moisture and enhance chocolate notes, but the authentic Irish character might be slightly different.

• Why does this cake use sour cream?

Sour cream adds incredible moisture and creates a tender, soft crumb. It helps balance the cake’s richness, provides a subtle tanginess, and ensures the cake stays incredibly moist and soft even after cooling. The sour cream is key to the cake’s exceptional texture.

Rich Guinness Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Guinness chocolate cake blends Irish stout’s deep richness with indulgent chocolate layers, creating a dessert that celebrates bold flavors. Moist crumb and velvety frosting invite you to savor each decadent slice of this memorable culinary experience.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup Guinness stout
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Wet Ingredients:

• ¾ cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) heavy cream (as needed)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C). Coat a 9-inch springform pan with butter and line with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Create a rich liquid base by combining Guinness and butter in a saucepan. Gently melt the ingredients over medium heat, then incorporate cocoa powder and sugar, whisking until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform composition. Allow the liquid to cool and settle.
3. Develop the moisture foundation by blending sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract in a spacious mixing bowl. Gradually introduce the cooled Guinness mixture, stirring with precision to achieve a harmonious integration.
4. Construct the dry element layer by sifting flour, baking soda, and salt together. Delicately fold these powdery components into the liquid mixture, maintaining a gentle technique to preserve the batter’s smooth texture.
5. Transfer the complete batter into the prepared pan, ensuring an even distribution. Position in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45-50 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the center. Allow the cake to cool entirely within its pan.
6. Craft the creamy frosting by whipping cream cheese and butter until they achieve a luxurious, soft consistency. Progressively integrate powdered sugar, then enhance with vanilla and heavy cream, adjusting until the frosting reaches a spreadable perfection.
7. Embellish the completely cooled cake by spreading the cream cheese frosting across the top, creating a voluminous layer reminiscent of Guinness’s signature foam.
8. Present the cake as a decadent dessert, ideal for accompanying coffee or complementing an Irish cream liqueur. Slice and serve with elegant simplicity.

Notes

• Swap out regular butter with plant-based butter to create a delightful vegan version of this indulgent cake.
• For a gluten-free alternative, use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend that maintains the cake’s rich, moist texture.
• Reduce the sugar content by using a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a lower-calorie option.
• Enhance the chocolate flavor by adding a tablespoon of espresso powder to intensify the deep, complex notes of the Guinness and cocoa.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 377
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 195 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg