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.

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.
Absolutely delicious! The stout gives it a rich flavor. My friends loved it!
Easy to make! I like, but I used a different beer and it turned green. Still taste good.
Using a different beer? You sure that was the right choice? I mean, Guinness is what makes it special! 🤔
Wow, a green cake? That’s kinda wild! I didn’t think beer could do that. But glad it still tasted good! 🍰
I was skeptical about using beer in a cake, but it turned out amazing! A bit sweet for my taste tho.
Didn’t really taste the Guinness 🤔. Cake was okay, but not worth the hype. Sorry!
Easy recipe! Just like my grandma made, but without the stout. 🤔
Honestly, I was skeptical about beer in cake. But I tried it and wow, it’s delicious! Who knew?!
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!
Really? Beer in cake? I don’t know, sounds kinda weird to me. What’s next, a donut with salad dressing?
It was okay. Maybe a little too sweet for my taste. But my kids loved it!
Guinness? Seriously? I tried this and it just tasted bitter to me. Not a fan.
I get what you mean! The taste of Guinness can be strong for some. Maybe try it with less stout next time?
I tried making it but it didn’t rise like I’d hoped. Maybe I messed up the measurements?
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.
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.
Quick question, can I replace Guiness with any beer? Just curious 🤔
You can use any dark beer instead of Guinness, but it might change the flavor a bit. Just make sure it’s something rich!
I don’t know, I thought Guinness was special for this cake! 🤷♂️
Absolutely loved this cake! So moist and rich. Will def make it again!
My cake fell apart when I took it out of the pan. I followed the instructions but something went wrong.
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! 🍰
I dont understand why you would put beer in cake. Sounds gross.
Yummy! Gonna put some sprinkles on next time though 😉
Sprinkles? That’s an interesting twist! 😄 I never thought about that, but it sounds fun!
I was skeptical about using Guinness but wow, it adds a depth of flavor I didn’t expect! Will definitely make again.
I totally agree! The Guinness really does something special to the cake. It’s like a magic ingredient! 🍰
Really? Guinness? I thought that was just for drinking, not baking! How can it taste good in a cake?
This cake is AMAZING! The Guinness really adds depth to the flavor. I shared it at a party and everyone raved about it!
I don’t have sour cream. Can I use regular cream? Asking for a friend.
This is hands-down the best chocolate cake ever! So moist and rich. Loved it!
Super easy recipe! I made it with my kids and they loved helping! Tasted delicious.
This recipe is nonsense! Beer in a cake? No thanks… cudn’t finish it.
I found this recipe hard to follow. What does ‘sifted’ even mean? I just mixed everything together and it turned out like mud.
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!
Best cake ever. Fluffy, rich, and chocolatey. I’ve made it twice this week! 🍫
I’ve tried this recipe too and it’s amazing! Best chocolate cake ever! 🎉
Sounds too rich to me. Is it really that good? 🤔
It tastes ok but I think its too sweet for my liking.
Tastes great, but I added a bit more cocoa. Chocolate lover here! 🍫
I love chocolate too! Adding more cocoa sounds like a delicious idea. 🍫
This cake is absolutely incredible! Rich and moist. My friends devoured it!
Guinness in cake? Sounds weird but wow, it’s actually good! Who knew?
Was skeptical about the beer in a cake, but it turned out delish! Who knew?
No one told me it was for an adult party. My kids were disappointed they couldn’t have any. 👎
Simple and tasty! My kids loved it. Well done!
Yummm!! Chocolate and guinness together? YES please! 🍰