Guinness & Chocolate Cake: A Rich, Decadent Dessert Worth Making at Home

Have you ever wondered what happens when Ireland's famous stout meets luxurious chocolate in a cake? The answer is pure magic. This guinness & chocolate cake combines the deep, malty notes of stout beer with rich cocoa to create an incredibly moist, sophisticated dessert that's surprisingly easy to make. Whether you're celebrating St. Patrick's Day or simply craving something extraordinary, this chocolate stout cake recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen. Making this cake at home allows you to control ingredients, save money, and impress guests with minimal effort—plus your house will smell absolutely amazing.

Ingredients List

    • 1 cup Guinness stout (or any dark beer)
    • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
    • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 3/4 cup sour cream
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Frosting:

    • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
    • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
    • 3-4 cups powdered sugar
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • Optional: 2 tablespoons heavy cream for smoother consistency

Timing / Cooking Schedule

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 45 minutes

Total time: 65 minutes (plus 1 hour cooling)

Plan ahead by allowing the cake to cool completely before frosting—patience here prevents a melted, messy finish. This timeline doesn't include overnight chilling, but refrigerating the frosted cake for 2-3 hours dramatically improves texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan or two 8-inch round cake pans generously with butter and dust with cocoa powder—this prevents sticking and adds extra chocolate flavor to the edges.

Step 2: In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the Guinness and butter. Stir until butter melts completely, then remove from heat. Whisk in cocoa powder and sugar until smooth—work quickly to prevent lumps. The mixture will look thin, which is perfect.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together sour cream, eggs, and vanilla until fully combined. This step ensures even distribution throughout your guinness & chocolate cake batter.

Step 4: Pour the sour cream mixture into the Guinness mixture and whisk until incorporated. Then gently fold in flour, baking soda, and salt using a spatula. Don't overmix—stir just until no dry streaks remain for the most tender crumb.

Step 5: Pour batter into prepared pan(s). The batter will be quite liquid—this is normal for this chocolate stout cake recipe and creates incredible moisture. Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 6: Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely—at least 1 hour before frosting.

Step 7: For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy (about 3 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and optional cream. Beat on high for 2-3 minutes until light and spreadable.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 12):

    • Calories: 485
    • Protein: 6g
    • Carbohydrates: 68g
    • Fat: 23g
    • Fiber: 2g
    • Calcium: 8% DV
    • Iron: 12% DV

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Alcohol-Free Version: Replace Guinness with non-alcoholic stout or strong coffee for similar depth without alcohol—the coffee actually enhances chocolate flavor beautifully.

Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum if your blend doesn't include it.

Frosting Variations: Try Bailey's Irish Cream frosting by replacing vanilla with 2 tablespoons of Bailey's, or use dark chocolate ganache for an extra-decadent finish.

Make-Ahead Tip: Bake cake layers up to 2 days ahead, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Frost the day of serving for best results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overmixing the Batter: This develops gluten and creates a tough, dense cake. Fold ingredients gently until just combined—some small lumps are fine.

Frosting Warm Cake: This melts frosting instantly and creates a disaster. Always wait until cake reaches room temperature, or better yet, chill it first.

Using Flat Beer: Fresh, properly carbonated Guinness adds lightness to the crumb. Flat beer can result in a heavier texture.

Skipping Pan Preparation: Even non-stick pans need proper greasing and dusting for this sticky, moist cake to release cleanly.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Store your finished guinness & chocolate cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days—the cream cheese frosting requires cold storage. Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture. For longer storage, wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting. Individual slices of frosted cake can be frozen in airtight containers for up to 1 month—separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. When you're ready to enjoy leftovers of this incredible chocolate stout cake recipe, a 10-second microwave zap brings back that fresh-baked warmth without drying it out.