If you're looking for a rich chocolate cake with deep flavor, this Chocolate Guinness Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect choice. This moist chocolate cake is infused with Guinness stout beer, which enhances its rich chocolate flavor and gives it an incredibly soft texture. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, this cake is a showstopper for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations or any special occasion.
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The recipe is inspired and adapted by the book "Irish Cooking" - which has wonderful, easy American-Irish recipes for the average cook. There are breakfast dishes, homemade breads, desserts, and hearty soups, all classic recipes that will take you on a delicious journey.
Why This Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe is a Must-Try
- Moist and Flavorful: The combination of stout beer and cocoa powder creates a chocolatey cake with a depth of flavor that's hard to beat.
- Easy to Make: This is a simple recipe that even beginners can master.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: While it's great for St. Patrick’s Day, it's also a fantastic rich dessert for birthdays, gatherings, or simply when you're craving a decadent treat.
Ingredients Needed
For the Cake:
- All-purpose flour: The base of this cake, giving it structure.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds a deep chocolate flavor.
- Salt & Baking Soda: Salt enhances the taste of the cake, while baking soda helps the cake rise in the oven. Both are extremely important.
- Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: A combination of sugars creates a moist cake with just the right sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and ensures a tender texture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the cake’s flavor.
- Large eggs: Provide structure and moisture.
- Guinness beer (or any stout beer): The famous Irish stout enhances the cake’s flavor with a rich flavor.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Cream cheese: Softened to room temperature for a smooth texture.
- Unsalted butter: Also at room temperature to blend well with the cream cheese.
- Powdered sugar: For the perfect level of sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth to the frosting.
- Optional heavy cream or milk: To adjust consistency if needed.
Expert Tips for the Best Chocolate Guinness Cake
- Don’t overmix: Overmixing can lead to a dense cake. Mix until just combined.
- Use the best cocoa powder you can find: It enhances the rich chocolate flavor. I like Dutch cocoa powder.
- Let the cake cool completely: A frosted cake will look and taste better if the cooled cake is at room temperature.
- Adjust the frosting consistency: If it is too thick, add a splash of heavy cream; if it is too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! While Guinness draught is the traditional choice, any favorite dark beer or chocolate stout will work.
Absolutely! Pour the batter into prepared muffin tins and bake for about 18-20 minutes for delicious Guinness cupcakes.
A bundt cake pan, square pan, or sheet cake pan will work. If you use smaller baking pans, you will need to adjust the time the cake needs to bake. If, for example, you use two round baking pans and they are 9 inches, you will have to bake the cakes a little less, approximately 20-25 minutes. The smaller the pans, the less time in the oven.
Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also wrap slices in plastic wrap for longer storage.
Yes! Wrap the unfrosted cake in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
How to Serve
- Pair it with a pint of Guinness or a cup of coffee.
- Drizzle with melted white chocolate for extra decadence.
- Add a splash of Irish cream liqueur to the frosting for a twist.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the best chocolate cake experience.
Final Thoughts
This Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe is hands-down one of the best things you can bake for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations or any time you’re craving a decadent chocolate cake. The moist cake, the deep flavor, and the rich chocolate cake taste make it an instant favorite. Try this recipe today and let me know in the comments how it turned out!
More St. Patrick's Recipes
- Triple Chocolate Stout Brownies With Nuts
- 32 Easy Recipes For St. Patrick's Day
- Traditional Irish Brown Soda Bread With Molasses
- Irish Soda Bread Recipe
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Guinness Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, soft or 1 ½ sticks
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup beer stout room temperature
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened, ½ stick
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C.
- Butter a 9x13-inch baking pan and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
- Separately, in a large bowl, beat the brown sugar, butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer, on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add flour mixture and stout, alternating them, beating until blended after each addition.
- Pour batter evenly into the baking pan.
- Bake about 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Cool completely in pan before frosting.
- How To Make Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat the cream cheese with butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer(medium speed).
- Gradually add the powder sugar and vanilla and continue beating until smooth.
- If too thick, add the milk and beat until incorporated.
- Spread over the cake and decorate as you like.
Notes
- Pan Size: This recipe is designed for a 9x13-inch cake pan. If using a bundt cake pan or two 9-inch round pans, adjust the baking time accordingly (about 30-35 minutes for a bundt cake, 20-25 minutes for round cakes).
- Guinness Beer Substitutions: While Guinness Draught is recommended for its rich chocolate flavor, you can also use other stout beers (e.g., Chocolate Stout, Irish Stout) or non-alcoholic stout beer for a booze-free version.
- Storage Tips: Store the frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Unfrosted cake can be frozen for up to 3 months—thaw at room temperature before frosting.
- Make-Ahead Option: You can bake the cake a day in advance and store it wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature. Prepare the cream cheese frosting separately and refrigerate it. Before frosting, bring it to room temperature and mix again for a smooth texture.
- Frosting Consistency: If the cream cheese frosting is too thick, add 1-2 teaspoons of heavy cream or milk to loosen it. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
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