Rating: 3.66
(47)

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
3.66 from 47 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
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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 Lilli Bogisich MD says:

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

  6. 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?

  7. User avatar Ms. Marty Rau says:

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

  8. 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?

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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! 🤷‍♂️

  12. User avatar Ice Wraith says:

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

  13. 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! 🍰

  14. User avatar alesha.haley88 says:

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

  15. 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!

  16. 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?

  17. 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!

  18. User avatar danica.reynolds79 says:

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

  19. User avatar Gretta Kertzmann says:

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

  20. User avatar Myahm Agana says:

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

  21. User avatar trinh.doyle42 says:

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

  22. 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!

  23. 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? 🤔

  24. User avatar faith.connelly says:

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

  25. 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. 🍫

  26. User avatar nikita.swaniawski2017 says:

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

  27. 4 stars
    Guinness in cake? Sounds weird but wow, it’s actually good! Who knew?

  28. User avatar rodolfo.kautzer84 says:

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

  29. 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. 👎

  30. 5 stars
    Simple and tasty! My kids loved it. Well done!

  31. 5 stars
    Yummm!! Chocolate and guinness together? YES please! 🍰

3.66 from 47 votes
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