If you’re ready to impress your friends (and yourself) with a dessert that’s dark, decadent, and unforgettable, let me introduce you to Guinness Chocolate Cake. This Irish-inspired masterpiece is gloriously moist, with an incredible depth of flavor from rich cocoa, tangy sour cream, and a generous pour of Guinness stout. The luscious cream cheese frosting on top is a heavenly finishing touch, perfectly complementing the bittersweet chocolate notes. Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or simply craving a showstopping treat, this cake will absolutely steal the spotlight at any gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Guinness Chocolate Cake is how a handful of everyday ingredients, each with a special role, come together for a wow-worthy dessert. From the malty undertones of stout to the luxurious frosting, here’s what makes it magic—no substitutions needed!
- Guinness Stout: Gives the cake its signature depth, balancing sweetness with malty, roasty complexity.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and ensures a sumptuously moist crumb.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Brings bold chocolate flavor and that velvety dark color.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the batter without overshadowing the bitterness of the stout or cocoa.
- Sour Cream: Adds subtle tang and extra moisture, making every bite tender.
- Large Eggs: Help bind everything together and create structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances and rounds out all the other flavors.
- All-Purpose Flour: Keeps the crumb soft, yet sturdy enough to hold up to the frosting.
- Baking Soda: Reacts with the stout for supreme lift and fluffiness.
- Salt: Balances out the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate.
- Cream Cheese (softened): Essential for that irresistible, tangy frosting layer.
- Powdered Sugar: Lends smooth, sweet structure to the frosting.
- Heavy Cream: Whips into a pillowy lightness for the frosting.
- Vanilla Extract (for frosting): Echoes the flavor in the cake and adds warmth to the topping.
How to Make Guinness Chocolate Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan well, making sure to get into every crevice. This helps guarantee an easy release and keeps the edges beautifully intact.
Step 2: Melt the Guinness and Butter
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, pour in the Guinness stout and add the unsalted butter. Stir gently until the butter is fully melted and combined with the stout—the kitchen will smell amazing!
Step 3: Add the Cocoa Powder
Once the butter is melted into the Guinness, whisk in the unsweetened cocoa powder. Whisk until the mixture is satiny-smooth and there are no lumps. Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly; this prevents scrambled eggs later.
Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract until well blended. This creates a creamy, pale base that welcomes the stout-chocolate blend.
Step 5: Combine and Build the Batter
Slowly pour the slightly cooled Guinness mixture into your wet ingredients, stirring just until incorporated. You’ll see the color darken and a wonderful chocolatey aroma waft up!
Step 6: Fold in Dry Ingredients
Sift in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold and stir until the ingredients are just blended; don’t overmix, or your Guinness Chocolate Cake might lose some of its tenderness.
Step 7: Bake the Cake
Pour the glossy batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan to keep it plush and prevent cracking.
Step 8: Make the Frosting
While your cake cools, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until creamy and smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream and vanilla until soft peaks form, then gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture. You’ll end up with a frosting that’s dreamy, light, and perfectly tangy.
Step 9: Frost and Finish
Once the cake is completely cool, generously spread the frosting over the top. The snowy white crown looks beautiful against the deep chocolate, reminiscent of the iconic Guinness pint.
How to Serve Guinness Chocolate Cake
Garnishes
This Guinness Chocolate Cake truly shines with the simple, cloud-like cream cheese frosting, but a quick dusting of cocoa powder or a scattering of chocolate shavings adds a touch of flair. If you’re feeling festive, sprinkle with a few edible gold stars or even fresh berries for a pop of color.
Side Dishes
For a complete dessert spread, serve each generous slice alongside berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The fresh fruit or ice cream cuts through the richness, making each bite feel perfectly balanced and indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the Guinness Chocolate Cake into slim wedges and serving on a slate board with little glasses of Irish cream or cold brew coffee. For parties, turn it into cupcakes using the same batter and top each with a swirl of frosting and a mini chocolate coin.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The cake just gets better after a rest! Store any leftover Guinness Chocolate Cake in an airtight container in the fridge. The chilling helps the flavors deepen and keeps the frosting thick and luscious for up to four days.
Freezing
For longer storage, you can freeze unfrosted or frosted cake slices. Simply wrap each piece in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge and add fresh frosting, if desired, before serving.
Reheating
If you love your cake at room temperature or just slightly warm, take slices out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving. To gently rewarm, use the microwave on low—just a few seconds is all you need to soften the crumb without melting the frosting.
FAQs
Can I use a different stout or beer instead of Guinness?
Guinness is classic for its malty, roasted flavor, but feel free to experiment with other stouts or porters if you like. Each brings a slightly different character to the Guinness Chocolate Cake, though a strong-flavored, dark beer works best.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
The hallmark of a perfectly baked Guinness Chocolate Cake is a toothpick inserted in the center coming out mostly clean, with just a few moist crumbs. The top should feel springy but not wobbly.
Can I make this cake gluten free?
Yes! Swap all-purpose flour for a good-quality gluten free flour blend. Check that your baking soda and all other ingredients are certified gluten free as well for best results.
Is it safe for kids or non-drinkers to enjoy?
Absolutely—most of the alcohol in Guinness Chocolate Cake bakes off in the oven, leaving behind only the delicious flavors. The cake is safe for all ages and people avoiding alcohol, with just lingering notes from the stout.
What can I do if my frosting is too runny or too thick?
If your frosting seems runny, pop it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes to firm up. If it’s too thick, add a splash more heavy cream and beat gently until it’s as fluffy as you like for your Guinness Chocolate Cake.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Guinness Chocolate Cake enough—it’s everything a chocolate lover dreams of, with subtle surprises in every bite. If you try it, prepare for rave reviews and lots of recipe requests! Gather your ingredients, pour a pint, and let this cake become your new favorite celebration treat.
Print
Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and decadent flavors of this Guinness Chocolate Cake. A moist and tender chocolate cake infused with the deep, malty notes of Guinness stout, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 cup Guinness stout
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- Melt Guinness and butter: In a saucepan, combine Guinness and butter over medium heat until butter is melted. Whisk in cocoa powder until smooth.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk sugar, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in the Guinness mixture. Sift in flour, baking soda, and salt, fold gently until just combined.
- Bake: Pour batter into pan, bake for 45–50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan.
- Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Whip cream and vanilla until soft peaks form, fold into cream cheese. Spread over cake.
Notes
- The cake’s flavor deepens after resting overnight.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature for best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 330 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
