Guinness Chocolate Crème Brûlée: Silky, Roasty, and Topped With Crackling Beer-Laced Caramel

ByKarl S

Guinness Chocolate Crème Brûlée is dessert-level decadence with a stout-fueled edge — velvety chocolate custard infused with deep, roasted malt and topped with a crisp caramelized sugar shell.

It’s a pint-glass twist on the French classic, built for beer lovers and dessert fans alike. Rich, smooth, and just a little bitter, this one eats like a fancy dessert and drinks like a dark pour.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6 depending on ramekin size)

Custard

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup Guinness (Draught or Extra Stout)
  • 4 oz dark chocolate (60–70%), chopped
  • 5 egg yolks
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

For the Topping

  • 3–4 tbsp granulated sugar (for brûlée crust)
  • Optional: flaked salt or cocoa nibs for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Custard

  1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Place 4–6 ramekins in a deep baking dish.
  2. In a saucepan, heat cream and Guinness until just steaming. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate until melted and smooth.
  3. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, salt, and vanilla until pale.
  4. Slowly pour warm chocolate mixture into the yolks, whisking constantly. Strain through a fine mesh sieve for extra smoothness.

Step 2: Bake

  1. Pour custard evenly into ramekins.
  2. Fill baking dish with hot water halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
  3. Bake 35–45 minutes until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
  4. Remove from water bath and cool to room temp, then chill at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 3: Brûlée the Tops

  1. Sprinkle 1–2 tsp sugar over each chilled custard.
  2. Torch the tops with a kitchen torch until golden and crackly, or broil briefly under high heat (watch carefully).
  3. Let sit 1–2 minutes to crisp before serving.

Serving Suggestions

  • Garnish with cocoa nibs, sea salt, or espresso dust
  • Serve with shortbread, berries, or dark chocolate shards
  • Pair with a shot of Irish cream or coffee liqueur
  • Add to a beer dessert board with truffles and stout floats

Storage

  • Keep covered in the fridge up to 3 days
  • Brûlée tops just before serving — don’t torch in advance
  • Freeze custard base before torching for up to 1 month (thaw in fridge)

Beer Pairing

In the Custard

  • Guinness Draught or Extra Stout
  • Dry stout, coffee porter, or oatmeal stout
  • Avoid pastry stouts or sours — too sweet or sharp

In Your Glass

  • Same beer used in the custard
  • Milk stout or chocolate porter for soft pairing
  • Irish red ale for roasted contrast
  • Espresso stout with whipped cream for a full dessert drink combo

Final Thoughts

Guinness Chocolate Crème Brûlée is rich, roasty, and spoon-crack satisfying — a brewery twist on a classic custard that hits every note: creamy, bitter, sweet, and crisp. Whether you’re finishing a dinner party or a brewpub feast, this dessert brings the fire.

Cheers to torched sugar, dark beer, and custard worth the crack! 🍮🍺🔥

🍺 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.

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