If you’re craving a dessert that perfectly blends rich chocolate with a hint of deep, malty stout, this Chocolate Guinness Cake Recipe is your new best friend. It’s a moist, tender cake that elevates humble ingredients into something truly special — creamy, luxurious frosting atop an indulgently dark, dense crumb that stays soft and flavorful bite after bite. Once you try this cake, it will quickly become a highlight for birthdays, celebrations, or anytime you want to treat yourself and those you love to a decadent, unforgettable slice.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t be intimidated by the list; these ingredients are simple staples that come together to create complex flavors and textures. Each plays an essential role, from the Guinness adding moisture and a slight bitterness that amplifies the chocolate, to the buttermilk and sour cream that keep the cake incredibly tender and moist.
- Guinness stout: Adds a rich, malty depth and moisture that sets this cake apart.
- Unsalted butter: Contributes creaminess and enhances the cake’s tender crumb.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Provides a deep chocolate flavor without extra sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that gives the cake its structure.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake perfectly while creating a slight crust.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Work together to give the cake lift and lightness.
- Salt: Balances flavors and intensifies the chocolate taste.
- Eggs: Bind ingredients and add richness.
- Sour cream: Keeps the cake moist and adds a subtle tang.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
- Buttermilk: Adds acidity that tenderizes and lightens the crumb.
- Cream cheese: The star of the frosting, giving a luscious tang.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths out the cream cheese frosting.
- Heavy cream: Whipped into the frosting for airy fluffiness.
How to Make Chocolate Guinness Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing and flouring a 9-inch round cake pan or two 8-inch round pans. This simple prep step ensures your cake will release easily after baking, so you get a beautiful, intact cake ready for frosting.
Step 2: Infuse Butter and Guinness with Cocoa
Next, gently heat the Guinness stout together with cubed butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the butter melts completely. Then whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth. This warm, rich mixture is the heart of your cake’s deep chocolate flavor, melding stout’s complexity perfectly with chocolate’s richness.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
While the chocolate-Guinness mixture cools, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Sifting ensures these leavening agents and dry ingredients are evenly distributed for a perfect rise and texture.
Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk the eggs with sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth. This mixture adds moisture and a velvety texture, crucial to creating a cake that stays tender and moist after baking.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, mixing just until combined—don’t overmix to avoid dense cake. Then slowly add the cooled Guinness-chocolate mixture, stirring until fully incorporated. Finally, blend in the buttermilk, which lightens the batter and adds a subtle tanginess that complements the stout beautifully.
Step 6: Bake Your Cake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan(s) and pop it into the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will start smelling heavenly as the cake rises into a perfectly moist, tender masterpiece.
Step 7: Cool Before Frosting
Let the cake sit in the pan for 10 minutes after baking to firm up, then transfer it to a wire rack and let it cool completely. Patience here pays off because frosting a warm cake can make everything slide off.
Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar together until perfectly smooth. Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract, then beat again until the frosting is fluffy and luscious. This frosting is the perfect companion to your Chocolate Guinness Cake Recipe, adding creamy tang and sweetness with every bite.
Step 9: Frost and Enjoy
Spread the frosting evenly over your cooled cake, allowing your creation to shine. Then slice, serve, and prepare to wow everyone who tastes your brilliantly rich, moist cake with its smooth, indulgent finish.
How to Serve Chocolate Guinness Cake Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate this Chocolate Guinness Cake Recipe even further, consider sprinkling the top with shaved chocolate or a light dusting of cocoa powder for a touch of elegance. Fresh berries like raspberries can also add a bit of brightness against the rich cake, and a few edible flowers can turn your cake into a work of art perfect for special occasions.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a grown-up twist, a small glass of the same Guinness stout used in the cake enhances and complements the flavors perfectly. A cup of strong coffee or black tea also offsets the richness with each bite, creating a balanced dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual gathering, serve the chocolate Guinness cake as large, rustic wedges on a wooden board surrounded by nuts and berries. If you’re feeling fancy, slice thin layers and serve with a drizzle of caramel or espresso sauce on the side. Even stacking smaller cupcake-sized versions with swirls of frosting gives this iconic cake a novel presentation that guests will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cake stays delicious when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keeping it chilled also helps preserve the creamy texture of the cream cheese frosting while maintaining the cake’s moist crumb.
Freezing
You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw completely in the refrigerator before frosting. This makes the Chocolate Guinness Cake Recipe perfect for planning ahead for celebrations or when you want to surprise someone with a special treat.
Reheating
If you enjoy your cake slightly warmed, heat individual slices gently in the microwave for about 15 seconds. This softens the cake and melts the frosting just enough to make it shimmer irresistible, but be careful not to overheat or it can become oily or overly soft.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of stout instead of Guinness?
Absolutely! While Guinness is the classic choice for this recipe because of its balanced flavor, other stouts with similar rich, malty profiles will work beautifully. Just choose one you enjoy drinking, as it influences the cake’s overall flavor.
Is it possible to make this cake dairy-free?
Yes, though some adjustments are needed. Substitute unsweetened plant-based butter and sour cream alternatives, and use a dairy-free cream cheese and non-dairy heavy cream for the frosting. The texture might differ slightly, but it will still be delicious.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
You can replace the all-purpose flour with a good quality gluten-free flour blend, ideally one designed for baking cakes. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or add it separately to help keep the cake tender and prevent it from crumbling.
How long does the Chocolate Guinness Cake stay fresh at room temperature?
Due to the cream cheese frosting, it’s safest to keep the cake refrigerated. At room temperature, it can stay fine for a few hours, but for longer periods, refrigeration is recommended to keep the frosting fresh and safe to eat.
What’s the secret to making this cake so moist?
The combination of sour cream, buttermilk, and the Guinness stout itself creates a tender, moist crumb that stays soft even days after baking. These ingredients work together to add acidity and moisture which transform the cake into a truly indulgent treat.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to wow your friends and family with a dessert that feels both decadent and comforting, this Chocolate Guinness Cake Recipe is your ticket. Its luscious, moist crumb and irresistible frosting make every single bite feel like a warm hug. Give it a try, and you’ll soon find yourself reaching for this recipe time and time again.
Print
Chocolate Guinness Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Description
This rich and moist Chocolate Guinness Cake combines the deep flavors of stout beer with cocoa to create a decadent, tender dessert. Topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, this cake offers a perfect balance of bittersweet chocolate and creamy sweetness, ideal for special occasions or a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 cup Guinness stout
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cubed
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9-inch round cake pan or two 8-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
- Heat Guinness and Butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the Guinness stout and cubed butter. Stir occasionally until the butter melts completely. Remove from heat and whisk in the cocoa powder until the mixture is smooth. Allow it to cool slightly for a few minutes.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution and remove lumps.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract until combined. Then add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
- Add Guinness-Chocolate Mixture and Buttermilk: Slowly pour the cooled Guinness and cocoa mixture into the batter, stirring until smooth and uniform. Finally, stir in the buttermilk until fully blended into the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the prepared batter into the greased cake pan(s) and bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should come out clean when the cake is done.
- Cool the Cake: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add heavy cream and vanilla extract, and continue beating until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
- Frost and Serve: Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cake. Slice and serve for a delicious dessert experience.
Notes
- Ensure the Guinness and butter mixture is cooled before adding to prevent cooking the eggs prematurely.
- Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for better mixing and smoother texture.
- For a more intense chocolate flavor, use Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
- Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
