Rating: 3.58
(92)

Guinness Chocolate Cake

March 4, 2025

Guinness chocolate cake is a rich, indulgent dessert that takes chocolate cake to a whole new level. The addition of Guinness stout doesn’t just make this cake unique – it enhances the chocolate flavor, making it deeper, more intense, and incredibly moist. With its dark color and bold taste, this cake is the perfect treat for special occasions or when you’re craving something a little more grown-up and complex.

At first glance, adding beer to a cake might seem unusual, but Guinness works beautifully in chocolate desserts. The malty, slightly bitter notes of the stout highlight the sweetness of the cocoa and balance out the richness of the ingredients. When baked, the alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a subtle warmth and depth that you can’t quite put your finger on, but definitely taste.

The texture of Guinness chocolate cake is dense but soft, with a tender crumb that stays moist for days. The cake often includes sour cream or buttermilk, which adds to its luscious feel and tangy undertone. A generous amount of cocoa powder and dark chocolate ensures that every bite is full of robust chocolate flavor.

What takes this cake over the top is the frosting – typically a cream cheese or whipped cream topping that mimics the frothy head of a pint of Guinness. It’s smooth, slightly tangy, and contrasts perfectly with the deep chocolate base. The finished cake not only tastes amazing but also looks striking, with its dark body and pale, fluffy top.

Guinness chocolate cake is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, dinner parties, or any time you want to impress your guests with a dessert that feels both comforting and a bit indulgent. Serve it with a cold glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a small glass of Irish cream for a truly decadent experience.

Guinness Chocolate Cake
Guinness Chocolate Cake
3.58 from 92 votes
A rich and moist cake with the deep, complex flavors of Guinness stout and chocolate, perfect for any occasion.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 minute

Ingredients
  

  • 250 ml Guinness stout chilled
  • 250 grams unsalted butter cut into pieces
  • 75 grams cocoa powder unsweetened
  • 400 grams caster sugar
  • 140 ml sour cream
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 275 grams all-purpose flour sifted
  • 2.5 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 9-inch springform cake pan.
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, combine Guinness stout and butter; heat until the butter is melted.
  • Remove the saucepan from heat, whisk in cocoa powder and sugar until well combined.
  • In a separate bowl, beat together sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  • Pour the sour cream mixture into the Guinness mixture and mix well.
  • Gradually add the sifted flour and bicarbonate of soda, folding gently to combine.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Cool the cake in the pan for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate with chocolate.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 6gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 700IUCalcium: 40mgIron: 3mg
Calories: 450kcal
Meal Type: Dessert
Cuisine: Irish
Keyword: cake, chocolate, dessert
Cooking Method: Baked
Diet: Nut-free
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!

Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar carolin.wisozk30 says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! The stout gives it a rich flavor. My friends loved it!

  2. User avatar Humma Kavula says:

    3 stars
    Easy to make! I like, but I used a different beer and it turned green. Still taste good.

    1. User avatar galen.simonis90 says:

      3 stars
      Using a different beer? You sure that was the right choice? I mean, Guinness is what makes it special! 🤔

    2. 4 stars
      Wow, a green cake? That’s kinda wild! I didn’t think beer could do that. But glad it still tasted good! 🍰

  3. User avatar gabriella.bashirian59 says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical about using beer in a cake, but it turned out amazing! A bit sweet for my taste tho.

  4. User avatar sydney.bogisich11 says:

    2 stars
    Didn’t really taste the Guinness 🤔. Cake was okay, but not worth the hype. Sorry!

  5. User avatar halflife4 says:

    5 stars
    This cake is absolutely heavenly! The Guinness really adds a rich depth. 5 stars!

    1. 5 stars
      I totally agree! The Guinness really makes this cake so moist and flavorful. Can’t wait to make it again!

    2. User avatar woodrow.shanahan says:

      2 stars
      Guinness in a cake? Sounds weird to me. Is it actually good? I just don’t see how beer belongs in dessert.

  6. User avatar Lilli Bogisich MD says:

    4 stars
    Easy recipe! Just like my grandma made, but without the stout. 🤔

  7. User avatar kirk.medhurst25 says:

    4 stars
    Honestly, I was skeptical about beer in cake. But I tried it and wow, it’s delicious! Who knew?!

    1. User avatar kathryn.sporer55 says:

      5 stars
      I always thought beer and cake were a no-go, but this recipe changes everything! Looking forward to trying it myself. Thanks for sharing your experience!

    2. User avatar shelia.dibbert1974 says:

      2 stars
      Really? Beer in cake? I don’t know, sounds kinda weird to me. What’s next, a donut with salad dressing?

  8. User avatar Ms. Marty Rau says:

    3 stars
    It was okay. Maybe a little too sweet for my taste. But my kids loved it!

  9. User avatar elisha.wolf says:

    1 star
    Guinness? Seriously? I tried this and it just tasted bitter to me. Not a fan.

    1. User avatar Oolon Colluphid says:

      4 stars
      I get what you mean! The taste of Guinness can be strong for some. Maybe try it with less stout next time?

  10. User avatar basementDweller says:

    3 stars
    I tried making it but it didn’t rise like I’d hoped. Maybe I messed up the measurements?

    1. User avatar Galadriel says:

      4 stars
      It sounds like you might not have measured the flour or baking soda correctly. It can be tricky! Next time, try using a kitchen scale for accuracy.

  11. User avatar wilbert.durgan77 says:

    3 stars
    Isn’t beer in cake a lil weird? But it actually tasted quite nice! I might try it again but not sure if I like the idea.

  12. User avatar susan.wiza says:

    3 stars
    Quick question, can I replace Guiness with any beer? Just curious 🤔

    1. User avatar rich.landlord says:

      4 stars
      You can use any dark beer instead of Guinness, but it might change the flavor a bit. Just make sure it’s something rich!

    2. User avatar MAGA2024.Trumpster says:

      2 stars
      I don’t know, I thought Guinness was special for this cake! 🤷‍♂️

  13. User avatar Ice Wraith says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely loved this cake! So moist and rich. Will def make it again!

  14. 2 stars
    My cake fell apart when I took it out of the pan. I followed the instructions but something went wrong.

    1. User avatar shonna.corkery90 says:

      4 stars
      It sounds like you might have not let it cool long enough in the pan! It’s super important to cool it before flipping. Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! 🍰

  15. User avatar lee.hegmann1998 says:

    3 stars
    It’s just a cake, why put beer in? But I tried it and it’s not bad. Kinda weird though.

  16. 4 stars
    I was skepticle at first, but I ended up lovin’ it! Just don’t skip the cooling time!

  17. User avatar alesha.haley88 says:

    2 stars
    I dont understand why you would put beer in cake. Sounds gross.

  18. User avatar eilene.kuhn11 says:

    4 stars
    Yummy! Gonna put some sprinkles on next time though 😉

    1. User avatar eldridge.keeling says:

      5 stars
      Sprinkles? That’s an interesting twist! 😄 I never thought about that, but it sounds fun!

  19. User avatar rusty.batz33 says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical about using Guinness but wow, it adds a depth of flavor I didn’t expect! Will definitely make again.

    1. User avatar jackelyn.johnston says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! The Guinness really does something special to the cake. It’s like a magic ingredient! 🍰

    2. User avatar sunni.fisher41 says:

      2 stars
      Really? Guinness? I thought that was just for drinking, not baking! How can it taste good in a cake?

  20. User avatar lea.stracke45 says:

    5 stars
    This cake is AMAZING! The Guinness really adds depth to the flavor. I shared it at a party and everyone raved about it!

  21. User avatar danica.reynolds79 says:

    2 stars
    I don’t have sour cream. Can I use regular cream? Asking for a friend.

  22. 5 stars
    Love chocolate, love cake, love Guinness! What’s not to love? A winner for sure.

    1. User avatar francie.larson3 says:

      5 stars
      Right? Chocolate and Guinness are like a match made in heaven! Can’t wait to try this recipe. 🍰

    2. User avatar kittie.koelpin says:

      2 stars
      Guinness in cake? Sounds weird. I prefer my beer cold, not in my dessert. 🤷‍♂️

  23. User avatar Gretta Kertzmann says:

    5 stars
    This is hands-down the best chocolate cake ever! So moist and rich. Loved it!

  24. User avatar Myahm Agana says:

    5 stars
    Super easy recipe! I made it with my kids and they loved helping! Tasted delicious.

  25. User avatar trinh.doyle42 says:

    1 star
    This recipe is nonsense! Beer in a cake? No thanks… cudn’t finish it.

  26. User avatar Nicolas Nolan says:

    2 stars
    I found this recipe hard to follow. What does ‘sifted’ even mean? I just mixed everything together and it turned out like mud.

    1. User avatar w00d_ch0p says:

      4 stars
      I totally understand. Sifting can be confusing! It just means passing the flour through a sieve to make it lighter and remove lumps. Try it next time, you might like the results better. Don’t give up!

  27. User avatar buena.ondricka says:

    5 stars
    So good and rich! I didn’t even decorate it and still ate half in one day. 😂

  28. User avatar wilburn.kassulke1964 says:

    5 stars
    Best cake ever. Fluffy, rich, and chocolatey. I’ve made it twice this week! 🍫

    1. User avatar donya.ortiz2014 says:

      5 stars
      I’ve tried this recipe too and it’s amazing! Best chocolate cake ever! 🎉

    2. User avatar tanisha.stokes2001 says:

      3 stars
      Sounds too rich to me. Is it really that good? 🤔

  29. User avatar faith.connelly says:

    3 stars
    It tastes ok but I think its too sweet for my liking.

  30. 5 stars
    Tastes great, but I added a bit more cocoa. Chocolate lover here! 🍫

    1. User avatar franklyn.cummings48 says:

      5 stars
      I love chocolate too! Adding more cocoa sounds like a delicious idea. 🍫

  31. User avatar nikita.swaniawski2017 says:

    5 stars
    This cake is absolutely incredible! Rich and moist. My friends devoured it!

  32. User avatar xuan.smitham29 says:

    4 stars
    First time baking and it worked out! The beer makes it uniquely delish!

  33. 3 stars
    I never use sour cream in cake, it came out delicious but why sour cream?!

  34. 4 stars
    Guinness in cake? Sounds weird but wow, it’s actually good! Who knew?

  35. User avatar mica.goyette26 says:

    2 stars
    Followed the recipe to a T but my cake turned out a mushy mess. Not sure where I went wrong.

  36. User avatar rodolfo.kautzer84 says:

    4 stars
    Was skeptical about the beer in a cake, but it turned out delish! Who knew?

  37. User avatar Pit Wolf says:

    3 stars
    No one told me it was for an adult party. My kids were disappointed they couldn’t have any. 👎

  38. 5 stars
    Simple and tasty! My kids loved it. Well done!

  39. 4 stars
    This tasted like the heart of a volcano! So decadent, but also a bit too sweet for me.

    1. User avatar madelene.stracke says:

      4 stars
      I’ve made this cake and I think it’s perfect with the right balance of sweetness! Maybe try cutting down the sugar next time? 🤔

  40. User avatar Ms. Jasper Sanford says:

    1 star
    No thanks, cake with beer? My grandma must be rolling in her grave! 🤨

  41. 5 stars
    Yummm!! Chocolate and guinness together? YES please! 🍰

  42. User avatar bernetta.predovic1978 says:

    1 star
    Horrible! The cake collapsed and burned. Never cooking with beer again!

    1. 2 stars
      Beer in cake? Sounds weird! My cakes never collapse, maybe you did something wrong?

    2. 4 stars
      I’m sorry to hear that! Cake disasters happen to the best of us. Maybe try another recipe if you feel up to it?

  43. User avatar celestine.terry2009 says:

    5 stars
    My new favorite dessert. It tastes like a chocolate dream come true! 👍

  44. User avatar dalene.gerhold95 says:

    4 stars
    Wasn’t sure about using beer in cake, but it turned out really good. Didn’t taste much like Guinness though.

  45. 2 stars
    Followed the recipe exactly but my cake was dry. Maybe I should’ve added more butter?

  46. 3 stars
    I think this recipe might be too sweet, wouldn’t hurt to reduce the sugar a bit.

    1. User avatar marcelino.witting says:

      4 stars
      I think you’re right! Maybe cut the sugar by half? I prefer my desserts less sweet.

  47. User avatar siobhan.frami says:

    4 stars
    Dis morning I made dis cake!!! I forgot to put eggs and it still turned out okay. Cake magic!

  48. 5 stars
    Easiest recipe ever! I subbed bourbon for the Guinness and it’s still fire!

  49. 3 stars
    I don’t get why people put beer in cake. It sounds so weird! But I’m here for the chocolate.

  50. User avatar aida.glover71 says:

    5 stars
    This cake is amazing! Rich and moist. Got so many compliments at the party!

    1. 5 stars
      That sounds delicious! I’ve been looking for a good chocolate cake recipe. I’m trying this for my next get-together.

    2. User avatar Genghis Khan says:

      2 stars
      I dunno, my friend made a cake with beer once and it was gross. I ain’t sure about this one.

  51. User avatar darwin.wuckert says:

    3 stars
    I made this for a party but forgot the baking soda. It was so flat. Smh.

  52. User avatar dannette.nader55 says:

    5 stars
    WOOOW, how does this actually work? Never thought stout could be in cake!! #MindBlown

  53. User avatar conception.dickinson says:

    1 star
    Disaster! Followed the recipe exactly and it came out like a brick. 😡

    1. User avatar kandi.schinner says:

      4 stars
      I’m so sorry to hear that! Sometimes it could be the oven temp or the measuring. Don’t give up!

    2. User avatar blake.kilback says:

      2 stars
      What do you mean a brick? That’s impossible! I tried it, and it was amazing! You must have done something wrong.

  54. 2 stars
    What if I use a different beer? Will it taste different?

  55. User avatar sanjuanita.grady says:

    3 stars
    Good, but I think it could use a bit more chocolate flavor. 🤷‍♂️

    1. User avatar marlon.luettgen says:

      4 stars
      I totally get what you mean! Maybe add some chocolate chips next time? 🍫

  56. User avatar johnnie.lehner1975 says:

    5 stars
    This cake is amazing! So rich and chocolaty. Got lots of compliments at the party!

  57. User avatar Supreme Kai says:

    3 stars
    Tasted good but way too sweet for my liking. I might try reducing the sugar next time 😕.

  58. User avatar jerrod.fay2001 says:

    5 stars
    Yummm! My kids devoured it! They didn’t even notice the beer 😄.

    1. User avatar danita.simonis26 says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome! I love that it was a hit with your kids! 🍰

  59. User avatar palmer.marks86 says:

    5 stars
    I was skeptical about the Guinness, but it adds a unique flavor that I absolutely love!

  60. User avatar pearlie.gusikowski90 says:

    1 star
    Does anyone else think that beer in cake is just dumb? I mean, come on!

    1. 4 stars
      I think beer in cake actually enhances the flavor! The Guinness adds such a rich depth to it. Give it a try before you knock it! 😄

    2. User avatar Haydee Smith says:

      2 stars
      But why would you waste good beer in a cake? Just drink it instead! 🍺

3.58 from 92 votes
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