Velvety Guinness Cake Recipe

Luscious Guinness Cake Recipe: A Sweet Irish Dream

Dark and decadent, this guinness cake weaves a rich tapestry of flavors that dance across your palate.

Chocolate lovers will swoon over the deep, complex notes of Ireland’s beloved stout brewing through every tender crumb.

Moist layers promise a dessert that whispers indulgence with each delicate forkful.

The robust guinness infuses the cake with an unexpected depth that surprises and delights.

Silky cream cheese frosting crowns this spectacular treat, creating a harmonious balance of sweet and bold.

You won’t be able to resist the allure of this show-stopping dessert that transforms an ordinary afternoon into a celebration.

Let this cake become the star of your next gathering, tempting everyone with its irresistible charm.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 13

What’s Inside Rich Guinness Cake

For Base Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Guinness: Provides deep, rich malty complexity and moisture to the cake's texture.
  • Butter: Creates velvety smoothness and helps distribute flavors evenly.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic background notes and balances chocolate intensity.
For Dry Structural Components:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Builds cake's foundational structure and ensures proper texture.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers intense chocolate depth and dark color profile.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and creates tender, light crumb.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
For Creamy Binding and Moisture Elements:
  • Sour Cream: Introduces tangy richness and helps create incredibly moist cake.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients, provides structure, and contributes to smooth consistency.
  • Cream Cheese: Creates luxuriously smooth, tangy frosting base.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes frosting texture.
  • Heavy Cream: Softens frosting and creates silky spreadable consistency.

Gear You Need For Rich Guinness Cake

  • Large mixing bowls: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Saucepan: Perfect for melting butter and mixing Guinness.
  • Whisk: Key for blending ingredients without lumps.
  • 9-inch springform pan: Allows easy cake removal and clean presentation.
  • Parchment paper: Ensures cake doesn't stick and releases cleanly.
  • Sifter: Creates lump-free dry ingredient mixture.
  • Electric mixer: Helps create creamy, smooth frosting.
  • Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness.
  • Spatula: Great for folding ingredients and spreading frosting.

How To Make Rich Guinness Cake Easily

  • Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350F and grab a springform pan. Grease it and line with parchment paper for a smooth cake release.

  • Brew the Beer Base

Melt butter into Guinness over medium heat. Whisk in cocoa and sugar until silky smooth. Let the mixture cool down and relax.

  • Blend the Liquid Magic

Grab a big bowl and whip together sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Gently fold in the cooled Guinness mixture until everything looks harmonious.

  • Marry the Dry Ingredients

Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together. Softly fold these into your liquid mixture, being careful not to overmix and destroy the cake’s delicate personality.

  • Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Slide it into the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let the cake chill completely in its pan.

  • Whip Up the Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until they’re creamy and dreamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and cream until you’ve got a luxurious, spreadable frosting.

  • Crown Your Cake

Slather that frosting on top, making it look like the frothy head of a perfect Guinness pour.

  • Celebrate

Slice and serve. Pair with coffee or Irish cream for an epic dessert experience.

Ideas To Boost Rich Guinness Cake Flavor

  • Moisture Mastery: Let the cake cool completely before frosting to prevent a runny, messy topping. Refrigerate for 30 minutes for perfect cream cheese frosting application.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same rich texture and decadent flavor for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Flavor Boosters: Add a splash of Irish whiskey to the frosting for an extra kick, or sprinkle dark chocolate shavings on top for a sophisticated touch.
  • Make-Ahead Brilliance: This cake actually tastes better the next day as the Guinness flavors deepen and meld together. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Dairy-Free Twist: Replace butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free cream cheese alternatives to create a plant-based version of this indulgent dessert.

Serving Rich Guinness Cake Made Simple

  • Pub Night Perfection: Slice this rich Guinness cake alongside a creamy Irish coffee for an authentic pub-style dessert experience.
  • Irish Cream Companion: Drizzle a shot of Bailey's Irish Cream over each slice to enhance the cake's deep, malty flavors and add luxurious moisture.
  • Chocolate Lover's Dream: Garnish with dark chocolate shavings or a light dusting of cocoa powder to complement the cake's deep, complex chocolate undertones.
  • Seasonal Celebration: Serve chilled during summer gatherings or warm during winter holidays as a decadent dessert that captures the essence of Irish comfort baking.

Storing Rich Guinness Cake The Smart Way

  • Fridge Life Strategy: Store the Guinness cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cool temperatures help maintain the cake's moisture and cream cheese frosting's smooth texture.
  • Freezing Magic: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve quality and taste.
  • Room Temperature Wisdom: Remove cake from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. Allowing it to reach room temperature enhances flavor complexity and softens the frosting's consistency.
  • Frosting Fresh Factor: Keep cream cheese frosting separate from cake if planning longer storage. Store frosting in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Apply fresh frosting when ready to serve for optimal taste and appearance.
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Velvety Guinness Cake Recipe

Velvety Guinness Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Guinness chocolate cake blends Irish stout’s deep complexity with luxurious cocoa layers for an indulgent dessert. Dark, moist crumb and silky ganache create a memorable chocolate experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240 ml) Guinness stout
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, cubed
  • ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) sour cream
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 ½ tsps baking soda
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 ½ cups (300 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsps (45 ml) heavy cream (as needed)

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment paper for seamless cake release.
  2. Liquid Base Creation: Melt Guinness and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in cocoa powder and sugar until the mixture transforms into a glossy, unified liquid. Cool completely.
  3. Moisture Integration: Combine sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Slowly incorporate the cooled Guinness mixture, blending until thoroughly combined.
  4. Dry Ingredient Incorporation: Sift flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold into the liquid mixture, maintaining a smooth, consistent batter without overmixing.
  5. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool entirely within the pan.
  6. Frosting Preparation: Whip cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream, beating until the frosting reaches a perfect spreadable consistency.
  7. Final Assembly: Once cake is completely cooled, generously spread cream cheese frosting across the top, mimicking the iconic foam of a Guinness pour.
  8. Serving Suggestion: Slice and serve as a sophisticated dessert, pairing beautifully with coffee or Irish cream liqueur for an indulgent experience.

Notes

  • Optimize Oven Temperature: Check your oven’s accuracy with a thermometer to ensure precise 350F heating, preventing uneven baking or dry cake edges.
  • Prevent Batter Lumps: Sift dry ingredients thoroughly and mix gently to maintain a smooth, lump-free batter, ensuring a tender cake texture with uniform consistency.
  • Control Moisture Balance: Use room temperature eggs and sour cream to create better ingredient integration, resulting in a more moist and cohesive cake structure.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Allow Guinness mixture to cool completely before combining with other ingredients, which helps develop richer, more complex chocolate and beer undertones.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 410
  • Sugar: 37 g
  • Sodium: 260 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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