Dreamy Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Buttercream Recipe

Rich, decadent chocolate mingles with smooth guinness stout in this irresistible chocolate cake recipe that promises pure indulgence.

Dark, moist layers showcase deep cocoa notes balanced by the robust beer’s subtle complexity.

The guinness adds unexpected depth to every single bite, creating a dessert that surprises and delights.

Each forkful delivers a harmonious blend of sweet and slightly bitter undertones.

Creamy irish buttercream crowns the cake with luxurious elegance, transforming a simple dessert into an extraordinary experience.

The recipe celebrates traditional irish flavors with a modern, delectable twist.

Prepare to enchant your taste buds with this show-stopping chocolate creation that’s sure to become a cherished favorite.

Steps To Make Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream

• Kickstart the Oven Warmup

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and get your cake pans ready with a quick butter and parchment paper treatment.

• Brew the Guinness Magic

Pour Guinness into a saucepan and melt butter slowly. Whisk in cocoa and sugar until the mixture looks silky smooth, then let it chill out for a moment.

• Blend Creamy Goodness

Grab a big mixing bowl and combine sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Pour in the cooled Guinness mixture and give everything a good stir.

• Merge Dry and Wet Worlds

In another bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold this into your liquid mixture until everything looks perfectly combined.

• Bake to Perfection

Divide the batter between your prepared pans and slide them into the oven. Bake for about 35 minutes, watching for that magical moment when a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

• Cool and Calm

Let the cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling before diving into the next steps of your delicious creation.

Sweet Tips For Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream

• Cake Rescue Tricks: If the cake seems dry, brush each layer with a bit of Guinness before frosting to add moisture and depth.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Bake cake layers up to 2 days in advance and store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for easier assembly.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, ensuring a 1:1 replacement ratio for seamless texture.
• Dairy-Free Transformation: Use dairy-free butter alternatives and coconut cream in place of sour cream to accommodate lactose-sensitive guests.
• Booze-Free Version: Replace Guinness with strong coffee or dark hot chocolate for a non-alcoholic rendition that maintains rich, deep flavors.

Serve Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream Proudly

• Guinness-Inspired Feast: Companion Pairings
• Irish Coffee Companion: Serve a warm, spiked Irish coffee alongside the cake to enhance the rich, malty chocolate flavors and complement the Guinness theme.
• Whiskey Cream Drizzle: Create a decadent whiskey-infused cream sauce to pour over each slice, adding an extra layer of Irish-inspired indulgence.
• Seasonal Berry Accent: Garnish with fresh raspberries or blackberries to cut through the cake's richness and provide a bright, tangy contrast.
• Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Add a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream for a classic and refreshing accompaniment that balances the deep chocolate notes.

Store Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream Carefully

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store cake layers wrapped in plastic film at room temperature for 24 hours or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Keep cake covered to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other flavors.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap unfrosted cake layers separately in double plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze flat for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before assembling and decorating.
• Frosting Management: Irish buttercream stays fresh in sealed container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated for 7 days. Bring to room temperature and re-whip before spreading to restore creamy texture.
• Make-Ahead Wisdom: Complete cake assembly 1-2 days before serving. Store in airtight container in cool area away from direct sunlight. Allow cake to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 429 kcal

Servings: 13

What Goes In Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream

• Guinness: Adds rich, malty depth and moisture to the chocolate cake, selecting a robust dark stout brings intense flavor complexity.
• Butter: Creates tender crumb and enhances overall richness, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best results.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate intensity, opt for Dutch-processed cocoa for smoother, deeper chocolate profile.
• Sugar: Balances bitterness and provides sweetness, dark brown sugar can add extra caramel undertones.

• Sour Cream: Ensures incredible moisture and tender texture, full-fat version provides best cake consistency.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds structure, room temperature eggs blend more smoothly.
• Vanilla: Elevates chocolate flavor and adds aromatic complexity, pure extract recommended over artificial.

• Flour: Creates cake's foundational structure, all-purpose flour works perfectly for consistent crumb.
• Baking Soda: Provides necessary leavening and helps cake rise, ensure freshness for optimal performance.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor depth and balances sweetness, fine sea salt integrates most evenly.

Baking Tools For Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream

• Large Saucepan: Essential for melting butter and heating Guinness smoothly.
• Mixing Bowls: Two separate bowls needed for wet and dry ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending ingredients and creating smooth batter.
• 9-inch Round Cake Pans: Two pans required for even cake layers.
• Parchment Paper: Helps prevent cake from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Wire Rack: Crucial for cooling cakes completely after baking.
• Toothpick: Used to test cake doneness.

Luscious Guinness Chocolate Cake With Irish Buttercream Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Rich Guinness chocolate cake delights dessert enthusiasts with its deep, complex flavors. Creamy Irish buttercream frosting crowns this indulgent Irish-inspired treat you’ll savor to the last delectable crumb.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (240 ml) Guinness stout beer
• ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups (340 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tsps baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsps Irish cream liqueur (like Baileys)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and meticulously line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper for effortless cake extraction.
2. Liquid Foundation: Gently melt Guinness and butter in a saucepan, whisking in cocoa powder and sugar until achieving a glossy, homogeneous liquid. Allow the mixture to cool slightly to prevent ingredient separation.
3. Wet Ingredient Integration: Blend sour cream, eggs, and vanilla in a spacious mixing bowl. Gradually stream the cooled Guinness mixture into the creamy base, stirring to create a harmonious, well-incorporated batter.
4. Dry Ingredient Incorporation: Sift flour, baking soda, and salt to eliminate potential lumps. Delicately fold these dry components into the wet mixture, maintaining a smooth, velvety texture without overmixing.
5. Baking Process: Evenly distribute the batter between prepared pans, ensuring balanced layers. Bake for 35 minutes, verifying doneness with a toothpick test – it should emerge with minimal moist crumbs, indicating perfect baking.
6. Cooling and Stabilization: Let cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes to set structurally. Transfer to a wire rack, allowing complete temperature reduction before proceeding with further cake preparation.

Notes

• Optimize Guinness Intensity: Select a robust, full-bodied Guinness stout to enhance the cake’s deep chocolate flavor profile, ensuring maximum richness and depth in every bite.
• Temperature Precision: Cool the Guinness-butter mixture to slightly warm (not hot) before mixing with eggs to prevent accidental scrambling and maintain a smooth, consistent batter texture.
• Moisture Management: Don’t overmix the batter; fold ingredients gently to preserve air pockets, resulting in a lighter, more tender cake with exceptional crumb structure.
• Dietary Adaptations: Substitute gluten-free flour blend and dairy-free butter alternatives to create an inclusive version suitable for various dietary restrictions without compromising the cake’s rich, decadent character.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 429
• Sugar: 39 g
• Sodium: 245 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 61 mg