Chocolate Guinness Cake
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Kick up your chocolate cake with Guinness with this easy dark chocolate Guinness cake frosted with Bailey’s Irish Cream buttercream frosting.
A few years ago I got to spend almost an entire summer in Ireland completing a graduate studies program. I got to, for a short time, live in Galway, Ireland. Basically a dream come true. After the program was over I stayed a little longer and headed over to Dublin and while I was there I had chance to visit the Guinness factory and learn to pour a Guinness like a pro. Ok, maybe I wasn’t a pro by the end, but sure was tasty trying.
In fact I got my certificate to say I can officially pour a Guinness properly. Yup it’s official. So I thought why not show off my pouring skills and pour some right into a cake. Chocolate + Beer = One happy girl. I mean I made a Guinness Brown Bread, why not a Guinness cake right?!
But why stop there. I thought this cake would be really good with some Bailey’s. Like in the frosting? Yup, mmhmm…that was a good decision. So Guinness chocolate cake with Bailey’s frosting was born.
Does this cake taste like beer?
It does have a hint of coffee and a malty flavor but I don’t think it is overpowering. In fact, I think it helps to bring out the chocolate flavor in the cake. And makes it super moist!
See Also:
- If you love cranberries, you have to try my Cranberry Cheesecake Bars! With a graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake filling, fresh cranberry swirl, and a crumble topping, these bars are the perfect make-ahead dessert for the holidays!
- Layered with fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream this vanilla sponge cake is a beautiful cake to make any time of year!
- If you’re looking for a showstopping cake, this Milk Bar cake is the perfect dessert to make for a birthday!
- Calling all peanut butter lovers with this super easy peanut butter cream cheese frosting to use on all your favorite cake recipes!
- This easy vanilla cupcake recipe uses melted butter so it comes together in minutes and no mixer is needed!
- When it’s summertime then you have to make these S’mores cupcakes with toasted meringue frosting and graham cracker bottom!
- Get a mixing bowl and make the easiest cake ever! This Tornado cake recipe (aka do nothing cake) made with crushed pineapple, coconut, and pecans!
Why you will love this cake for St. Patrick’s Day!
- Cake is wonderfully moist (sorry not sorry!) and has a tender crumb
- Making the cake batter is super simple and there’s no need for an electric mixer (except to make the frosting)
- You can easily make the cake and buttercream ahead of time.
- Buttercream is silky smooth and quick to make.
- Showstopper of a dessert to celebrate with!
Note: The entire recipe, with ingredient quantities and recipe directions can be found at the bottom of the page. Scroll to the bottom or click “Jump To Recipe” button at the top of the post.
Guinness Chocolate Cake Ingredient
- Dry ingredients: I used all purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Wet ingredients: For these I used granulated sugar, vegetable oil, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and Guinness.
- Frosting: Butter, powdered sugar, Bailey’s, heavy cream, and vanilla.
How To Make This Chocolate Guinness Cake
This chocolate Guinness cake is a variation of these easy chocolate cupcakes that are adapted from Hershey’s Kitchens. I decided to use Guinness instead of the hot boiling water for a fun twist for a delicious St. Patrick’s Day dessert!
- Heat oven to 350ยฐF. Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans (or two 9-inch cake pans).
- Stir with a rubber spatula together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl.
- Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; and whisk together. Stir in Guinness beer (batter will be thin).
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.
- While the cake cools, make the frosting. And frost the layer cake.
Frosting The Cake
Once your cakes have cooled it’s time to make the frosting and frost your cake. The Bailey’s Irish cream frosting is pretty simple to make:
- Combine the butter and confectioners sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer.
- Mix on low speed at first, then increase the speed until combined.
- Start with your mixer off, and then add in your heavy cream, Bailey’s and vanilla extract. Start on low at first so it doesn’t just splash out of the bowl and mix on medium to high speed for 8 minutes until light and creamy.
Before frosting you may need to use a serrated knife and cut off the top of the cake if it’s not flat. It’s not totally necessary but helps so you don’t have a domed cake in the end.
Once the frosting is made, I start with piping a layer of frosting on my bottom layer. I like to use a piping bag and round tip as opposed to a spatula because I find I get an even amount of frosting across the layer this way. Then I put the next layer on, and I repeat piping a layer of frosting on the top and sides.
I then take a pastry scraper to scrape off the buttercream leaving behind a small amount of frosting. This is known as a crumb coat. It’s a thin layer of frosting that helps to seal in the crumbs. I will then chill the cake for 30 minutes, and then do my final layer of frosting. I will use an off-set spatula to help me achieve the final smooth layer.
I dip my spatula in a glass of hot water and quick wipe it off to help smooth the frosting. And then I used a French star tip and did a rope pattern but you can off course frost the top how you like! And of course chocolate sprinkles. Because, why not!
Tips For Making This Guinness Cake
- Be sure to measure your flour correctly. You can read this post on how to measure your flour. You can also use a kitchen scale for best accuracy. But overmeasured flour will result in a cake that is dense instead of light and fluffy.
- Don’t overmix your batter. You want to mix the cake batter just until the ingredients are combined.
- Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness. Testing for doneness on a chocolate can be difficult so be sure to check with a skewer and look for moist crumbs.
- Do a crumb coat. If you’re frosting your layer cake like mine, then I recommend do a crumb coat, which is basically a thin layer of frosting and then refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes before you do the final layer.
Recipe Variations
- Use a different frosting. You can use my cream cheese frosting and add some Bailey’s Irish cream to it!
- Use a different beer– If you can’t use Guinness stout, you can use another dark stout beer.
- Add some chocolate ganache. Whip up some ganache, stir in some Irish cream and pour over the cake layers instead. Or just make a regular ganache and drip over the irish buttercream for a beautiful finish!
Recipe FAQs
Well in my house? Maybe a day or two. If the cake is iced I recommend storing it in the fridge for 1-2 days covered in an airtight container. However if you keep the un-iced cake well covered, it can last up to 5 days at room temperature. Which makes this cake a perfect make ahead dessert!
I have frozen this cake and it freezes well, for about 2-3 months. Allow the cake to cool completely before freezing. Then wrap really well in plastic wrap, and place in a large zip-loc bag (or wrap in an extra layer of tin foil if you don’t have bags large enough).ย When ready to serve, you would want the cake to thaw at room temperature.
I have frozen slices with frosting and had no issues.
You could use another dark beer, or use water instead.ย
Can I Use A Different Pan?
You absolutely can. Make the recipe as directed and then you can make it into a sheet cake, layer cake or cupcakes!
- To make a 9-inch layer cake: Use two cake pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
- To make as a sheet cake: Use a 9×13 pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes.
- To make as a layer cake: Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes.
- To make into cupcakes: Line muffin cups with paper bake cups. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes.
- To make a bundt: Grease and flour 12-cup bundt pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes.
Throwing a St. Patrick’s Day Party? Try these recipes!
If you’re looking for more fun recipes to pair with this cake here are a fun few other desserts and breads to make on St. Patrick’s Day!
- Irish Soda Bread
- Guinness Bread
- Irish Apple Cake
- Chocolate Irish Cream Pie
- Chocolate Guinness Donuts
Grab some Guinness. Just reserve one for this cake and learn how to pour the rest…
Until next time, happy baking!
Chocolate Guinness Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups (394 g) granulated sugar
- 1 3/4 cups (210 g) all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 3/4 cup (63 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup (240 mL) milk room temperature
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) neutral-tasting oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 mL) Guinness
For the frosting (this is a triple batch) – you can always make less
- 7 sticks (3 1/2 cups, 791 g) unsalted butter softened
- 7 cups (791 g) confectioners sugar
- 6 Tablespoons Bailey's Irish Cream
- 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch salt
Instructions
To make the cake
- Position a rack in the center of the oven. PreHeat oven to 350ยฐF. Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans (or two 9-inch pans).
- Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. 2 cups (394 g) granulated sugar 1 3/4 cups (210 g) all-purpose flour 3/4 cup (63 g) unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt
- In a second mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, oil and vanilla until smooth. Add to dry ingredients, whisk until smooth. Do not overmix. 2 large eggs 1 cup (240 mL) milk 1/2 cup (120 mL) neutral-tasting oil 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup (240 mL) Guinness
- Stir in Guinness (batter will be thin) just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pans. 1 cup (240 mL) Guinness
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.
- While the cake cools, make the frosting.
To make the frosting:
- Mix butter and sugar. In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer, combine the butter and confectioners sugar. Mix on low speed at first, then increase the speed to medium until combined. 7 sticks (3 1/2 cups, 791 g) unsalted butter 7 cups (791 g) confectioners sugar
- Add heavy cream, vanilla, Bailey's, and pinch of salt.. Mix on medium to high speed for 7-8 minutes until light and creamy. When cake is cooled frost cake and serve. 6 Tablespoons Bailey's Irish Cream 3 Tablespoons heavy cream 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract pinch salt
Notes
- Tools:ย Round Cake Pansย |ย Mixing Bowl | Cooling Rack| Dry measuring cups | measuring spoons | liquid measuring cup |ย Whisk
- Make Ahead/Storage: You can make the layers 1-2 days ahead of time. Just cool, wrap, and store at room temperature. The cake can be frosted and kept at room tempearture for 1 day ahead of time, covered.
- Freezing: I have frozen this cake and it freezes well. Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow the cake to cool completely before freezing. Then wrap really well in plastic wrap, and place in a large zip-loc bag (or wrap in an extra layer of tin foil if you don’t have bags large enough).ย Thaw before serving.ย
- Frosting: This is a triple batch of my frosting, but you can always make less.
- Guinness substitute: You could use another dark beer, or use water instead.ย
- To make as a sheet cake: Use a 9×13 pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes.
- To make as a layer cake: Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes.ย
- To make into cupcakes: Line muffin cups with paper bake cups. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes.
- To make as a bundt: Use a 12- cup bundt pan, and bake for 50-55 minutes.
This is my familyโs go to chocolate cake. The first time I made it there was silence around the table because they were captivated with it from the first bite. I promise โฆIt will ALWAYS impress and will NEVER disappoint!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! Iโm thrilled to hear that my Chocolate Guinness Cake has become a family favorite and made such a memorable impression. Your kind words mean a lot!
I haven’t tasted the cake (just the batter) batter was yummy! But my cake did not rise in the middle. Any thoughts as to why?
It sounds like maybe the cake was underdone when you took it out and may have needed more time. Next time, be sure to bake in the center of your oven, and test with a toothpick – every oven is different, and yours may require more time than mine.
So far Iโm impressed with the cake. Iโve been trying to find a good chocolate cake(tested many in 14 months) and I found this recipe online. I have one question- I made this into 12 cupcakes and one 9inch cake but the cake middle dipped in the center. It came out clean when I tested but as it cooled it dipped. Not sure why. But I love the flavor and itโs a keeper of a recipe.
Hi Jennifer, I’m so glad you loved the cake! My guess is the cake may have sank because it was underbaked…I would try baking a little longer next time. I like to press the top of the cake lightly and see if it bounces back. I would also get an oven thermometer and check your oven… hope that helps!
Thank you for the tips. I also realized last night I used buttermilk and not whole milk. Iโm not sure if that was another issue. I have to make sure to look at the labels next time. The cake was a hit and Iโll definitely be making again.
Oh yes buttermilk vs milk would definitely do it. They would react differently in the batter. But glad you loved it still!
Mistake in this part…
does have a hint of chocolate but I donโt think it is overpowering. In fact, I think it helps to bring out the chocolate flavor in the cake. And makes it super moist!
Oooh thank you Sharon! Good catch..I’ll make sure to fix that (because obviously it has more than a hint of chocolate haha)
This sounds fantastic! This Guiness must add such amazing flavour along with the chocolate. I’ll be trying this for sure next time I need to bake a cake.
Thanks Courtney! Yes the Guinness adds another dimension of flavor ๐
This is really ahh-mazing!! Totally irresistible and so easy to make!
Thanks Toni! I’m so glad you loved the recipe ๐
What I would give for a slice of this chocolate right now! Delicious
Thanks Beth! Yes definitely will cure all chocolate cravings ๐
This cake is ahhmazing!! Totally love the Guinness in it!
Thanks Taylor! Glad you loved the recipe ๐
This is my favorite chocolate cake -EVER-! It is so moist and rich, and I don’t ever tell anyone that the secret ingredient is Guinness!
Aw I’m so glad to hear that Jenn!!
I’ve been seeing this cake floating around on social media– and damn! Yum!
I needed this recipe for St. Patrick’s Day! But it just looks too good not to make this weekend anyway! Thanks for sharing ๐
I bet the beer and the chocolate really make this a tasty dessert. I want to try this!
Wow this looks like my kind of cake! Looks delicious!!
Wow now that looks amazing, i bet it tastes rich and dark