Name: Guinness Chocolate Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder; 12 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 cup Guinness; ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 large eggs; 1 cup Greek yogurt (full fat (plain or vanilla)); 1 tablespoon vanilla; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup brown sugar (packed); 1 tablespoon baking powder; ¾ teaspoon sea salt; 8 ounce cream cheese (softened); 2½ cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons heavy cream; 1 tsp vanilla

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When it comes to dessert my Guinness Chocolate Cake will not disappoint! While traveling through Ireland I enjoyed quite a few slices of this delicious cake.

And although it doesn’t quite resemble the original version of an Irish stout cake, it’s been adopted wholeheartedly by Irish restaurateurs and pub owners. And for that I am grateful!

slice of Guinness chocolate cake with a fork on a cream colored plate with a pint of Guinness and another slice of cake behind it

When you think of stout and the complex intensity of the brew, with its deep flavors, mixing it with chocolate, adds to the complexity and increases the depth of the chocolate….sigh. It’s a wonderful thing.

What ingredients do I need to make a Guinness chocolate cake?

ngredients to make guinness chocolate cake

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make a Guinness Chocolate Cake. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the up cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

Do I have to use Guinness in the cake recipe?

No, you can use any of your favorite dark beers or red wine to make this delicious cake. If you can’t have alcohol or would rather not include it in the recipe these are acceptable substitutes.

Root Beer
Black Coffee
Black Tea
Chocolate Milk

**Coffee will be the closest substitute that will bring out the deep chocolate notes. The alcohol will all burn off, and I promise no one will get drunk from the cake.

How do I make Guinness Chocolate Cake?

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.

overhead shot of mixing cocoa into beer mixture

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the Guinness to the melted butter and bring to a simmer.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cocoa powder. Mix well and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

Why is the cocoa added to the warm Guinness?

By adding the cocoa to the warm Guinness and letting sit for a few minutes, were allowing the cocoa to bloom. This step brings out the cocoa’s deep chocolate notes and helps create the rich chocolate flavors that this cake is known for.

Why do I melt the butter instead of creaming it with the sugar?

This is a different technique than most cakes call for. By melting the butter and adding it to the Guinness and cocoa, the butter now reacts to the mixture like oil and produces a soft moist crumb.

overhead shot of mixing chocolate mixture into egg mixture

Whisk together the Greek yogurt, eggs and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.
Add the cooled cocoa mixture to the egg mixture and mix until well blended and smooth.

overhead shot of mixing flour mixture into cake batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugars, baking powder and salt. Set to the side until needed. **Combine all the ingredients using a wire whisk.
Add the flour to the chocolate mixture and stir until well incorporated. *Be careful not to overmix!

Pour the chocolate batter into the prepared pan and place on the center rack of a 350 degree F. preheated oven.

Ingredients to make frosting for Guinness chocolate cake

While the cake is baking, you have time to make the frosting (vanilla is not pictured)

Can I add a little Baileys Irish Cream to the Frosting?

You sure can! Just swap out the heavy cream for the Baileys Irish Cream.

whole frosted guinness chocolate cake with a pint of guinness in the back ground

Cool the finished cake on a wire rack until cool to the touch. Transfer the cooled cake to a cake dish for frosting.

Make sure to let the cake fully cool before frosting.

Whole frosted Guinness chocolate cake on a cream colored platter with a pint of Guinness behind it

When the frosting is smooth and the cake has cooled, frost the top of the cake with the frosting. The cake should resemble a pint of Guinness.

Chef Dennis pouring a pint of Gunniess at Murphy's Bar in Killarney Ireland

I actually learned the proper way to pour a pint of Guinness at Murphy’s Bar in Killarney, Ireland.

overhead shot of Guinness chocolate cake sliced on a white platter with a slice on a small plate

Wouldn’t you love a slice or two of this ah-mazingly delicious Guinness Chocolate Cake? I know your family would love to partake in this taste of Ireland.

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4.99 from 86 votes