Guinness Chocolate Cake: Moist, Fudgy, and Infused With Deep Stout Flavor

Guinness Chocolate Cake is the dessert that proves beer belongs in the oven as much as the pint. It’s rich, dark, and deeply flavored — where cocoa and roasted malt fuse into something bold, moist, and just a little bittersweet.

Topped with whipped frosting or served plain with a scoop of ice cream, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream that drinks like a dark pour and slices like velvet.

Ingredients (Makes one 9-inch round or 8×8 cake — ~10 slices)

For the Cake

• 1 cup Guinness stout (or other dry stout)
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ cups granulated sugar

For the Frosting (Optional)

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Optional: 1 tbsp stout for a malty boost

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Batter

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch cake pan.
2. In a saucepan, heat Guinness and butter until melted. Whisk in cocoa until smooth. Let cool slightly.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. In another bowl, beat eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and sugar until smooth.
5. Stir in the stout-cocoa mixture, then gently fold in dry ingredients.
6. Pour into prepared pan and bake 40–45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely.

Step 2: Frost or Finish

1. For frosting, beat cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth. Whip in cream until fluffy.
2. Spread over cooled cake or serve slices plain with a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Serving Suggestions

• Top with stout caramel sauce or beer chocolate ganache
• Serve alongside fresh berries or chocolate curls
• Pair with whipped cream and a shot of espresso
• Turn into cupcakes, mini loaves, or layered sheet cake for parties

Storage

• Keeps 3–4 days at room temp, longer refrigerated
• Frosted cake should be stored in fridge
• Unfrosted cake freezes beautifully, slice before freezing for easy defrost

Beer Pairing

In the Cake

• Guinness Draught or Extra Stout
• Any dry stout, oatmeal stout, or smooth porter
• Avoid pastry stouts — too sweet and heavy

In Your Glass

• Same stout used in the cake
• Milk stout or chocolate porter for decadent pairings
• Framboise or cherry lambic for fruit-chocolate contrast
• Espresso stout or coffee ale if serving with whipped cream or berries

Final Thoughts

Guinness Chocolate Cake is dark, dense, and full of rich roasted flavor — a dessert that plays like a pint and satisfies like a slice. Whether you’re baking for a celebration, pairing with pints, or just feeding your chocolate craving, this one’s got depth, soul, and just enough beer to prove it.

Cheers to cocoa, crumb, and stout in every slice! 🍫🍺🔥

🍺 Alternatives to Guinness

No Guinness? No problem. These stouts and porters bring similar depth — and sometimes even more character — to your kitchen.

While Guinness is the go-to for beer-based cooking, you’ve got plenty of bold, flavorful alternatives that work just as well — and in some cases, even better — depending on the dish. If you’re looking to experiment or just need a stand-in, here are three of the best:

1. Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout

Flavor profile: Roasty, sweet, velvety

Best used in:

• Brownies
• Chocolate layer cakes
• Dessert sauces
• Braised short ribs

This one’s a dessert powerhouse — the chocolate is prominent but balanced, and the mouthfeel adds richness to both sweet and savory dishes.

2. Murphy’s Irish Stout

Flavor profile: Smooth, creamy, with a softer roast than Guinness

Best used in:

• Irish stew
• Beer bread
• Onion gravy
• Cream-based sauces

It’s the closest stylistic match to Guinness — just lighter and slightly less bitter. A great pick for traditional Irish recipes or dishes where you don’t want the beer to dominate.

3. Founders Breakfast Stout

Flavor profile: Deep roast, coffee, dark chocolate

Best used in:

• Ice cream or affogato
• Tiramisu
• Chocolate cake batters
• Braised beef or short ribs

These are bolder than Guinness — darker, heavier, and more intense. Perfect when you want the beer to be felt in the flavor, not just as a background note.

Pro tip: If you’re using these in recipes that were designed for Guinness, reduce just a touch more to concentrate the flavor — these alternatives tend to bring slightly more body and richness to the pan or batter.

🍺 Explore More Guinness Recipes

From hearty mains and pub-style snacks to rich chocolate desserts and creamy floats — these Guinness-infused recipes show off the bold magic of stout in the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy night in or hosting a feast, there’s a Guinness recipe for it.

🥩 Guinness Beef Stew – Slow-cooked, hearty, and loaded with stout flavor.
🍖 Guinness Braised Short Ribs – Fall-apart tender ribs with a deep Guinness reduction.
🐔 Guinness Chicken Pot Pie – Creamy filling, flaky crust, and a splash of stout.
🍞 Guinness Beer Bread – Quick, dense, and slightly sweet with a malty twist.
🍔 Guinness BBQ Burgers – Juicy patties with smoky Guinness-spiked BBQ sauce.
🧀 Guinness Mac & Cheese – Ultra-creamy cheddar sauce with a hint of stout.
🍫 Guinness Chocolate Cake – Deep, rich chocolate layered with malty undertones.
🧁 Guinness Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting – Mini cakes with a boozy frosting twist.
🍨 Guinness Floats – Creamy vanilla ice cream meets bold stout fizz.
🍮 Guinness Chocolate Crème Brûlée – Silky, dark custard with a crackly caramel top.
🥓 Guinness Glazed Bacon – Sweet, sticky, and irresistibly crispy.
🥧 Guinness Shepherd’s Pie – Comfort food leveled up with a stout-simmered filling.
🔥 Guinness BBQ Sauce – Sweet, smoky, and perfect on just about anything grilled.
🍫 Guinness Brownies – Fudgy brownies with a dark, malty richness.
🥣 Guinness Beer Cheese Soup – Warm, cheesy, and full of Guinness depth.

Explore Our Top Cooking-with-Beer Recipes 🍺 🍺

From crispy beer-battered classics to bold mains, cheesy dips, breads, and even desserts — these roundups bring together the best of beer-infused cooking. Whether you’re hosting a game day, planning a backyard BBQ, or just experimenting in the kitchen, there’s a beer recipe collection for every craving.

• 🍽️ Cooking with Beer (Main Hub) – Your ultimate guide to cooking with beer, from mains to apps and desserts.
• 🥨 Beer-Battered Appetizers and Sides – – Crispy onion rings, fried pickles, mushrooms, zucchini, & more pub-style favorites with a golden beer crunch.
• 🍞 Beer Bread Recipes – From 2-ingredient quick breads to jalapeño cheese loaves.
• 🧀 Beer Cheese & Dips – Beer cheese soup, queso, nachos, ranch dip & more.
• 🍖 Beer Can Chicken & Grilled Mains – Bold, juicy recipes straight from the grill.
• 🌶️ Beer Infused Chili’s – Hearty, bold, and slow-simmered beer-infused chili.
• 🍻 Beer Mac & Cheese – Creamy, quick& easy, made to impress.
• 🍰 Beer-Infused Desserts & Sweets – Sweet treats made better with beer.
• 🎉 Oktoberfest & Seasonal Ideas – Perfect pairings for parties, fall feasts, and festive gatherings.