Guinness Cake Recipe

The Most Luscious Guinness Cake Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Dark and decadent, this guinness cake blends rich chocolate with Ireland’s iconic stout for an unforgettable dessert adventure.

Malty depths merge seamlessly with cocoa’s intense character, creating a treat that surprises and delights.

Smooth cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious layer of creamy contrast to the deep, complex flavors.

Bakers seeking something extraordinary will find pure magic in this recipe’s unexpected combination.

Unexpected yet harmonious, the ingredients dance together in a symphony of taste.

Each slice promises a journey through robust, velvety textures that challenge traditional dessert expectations.

You’ll want to savor every crumb of this remarkable culinary creation.

Why Mary Berry Guinness Cake Is Bold And Moist

Why Mary Berry Guinness Cake Is Bold And Moist
  • Craft Comforting Indulgence: This Guinness cake delivers rich, deep chocolate flavors that wrap you in pure comfort with every decadent bite.
  • Master Simple Baking Skills: Beginners can nail this recipe with straightforward steps, requiring basic mixing and minimal technical baking knowledge.
  • Impress Without Stress: Create a stunning dessert that looks professionally made but actually involves uncomplicated techniques anyone can handle.
  • Perfect for Gathering Moments: An ideal showstopper for parties, celebrations, or casual get-togethers where you want something dramatically delicious yet approachable.

Mary Berry Guinness Cake Ingredient Guide

Main Ingredients:
  • Guinness: A rich, dark Irish stout beer that adds deep flavor and moisture to the cake.
  • Butter: Provides richness and helps create a smooth, tender cake texture.
  • Chocolate: Gives a deep, intense chocolate flavor and contributes to the cake's moist consistency.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Sour Cream, Eggs, Vanilla: Create a creamy, rich base that adds moisture and enhances the cake's flavor profile.
Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour, Baking Powder: Provide structure and help the cake rise to create a light, fluffy texture.
Frosting Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese, Sugar, Cream: Combine to make a smooth, tangy frosting that complements the rich chocolate cake.

Instructions To Make Mary Berry Guinness Cake

Instructions To Make Mary Berry Guinness Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350F. Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by lining it with parchment paper and giving it a light greasing.

Step 2: Create Chocolate Guinness Base

In a saucepan, combine Guinness and butter, heating until completely melted. Stir in chocolate pieces until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy. Let the mixture cool down slightly.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

Whisk together in a separate bowl:
  • Sour cream
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract

Slowly pour the chocolate Guinness mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring constantly to create a rich, cohesive blend.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Sift together flour and baking powder. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 6: Prepare Creamy Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Gradually add cream, continuing to beat until the frosting reaches a silky consistency.

Step 7: Cool and Decorate

Allow the cake to cool completely. Once cooled, spread the creamy frosting over the top of the cake.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Slice and serve this decadent Guinness chocolate cake to eager friends and family.

Tips For Baking Mary Berry Guinness Cake Well

  • Boost Beer Flavor: Choose a fresh, high-quality Guinness stout for maximum depth and richness in the cake's taste profile.
  • Prevent Dry Texture: Do not overbake the cake; check doneness with a toothpick around 50 minutes to ensure a moist, tender crumb.
  • Smooth Frosting Technique: Let cream cheese reach room temperature before mixing to create a silky, lump-free frosting that spreads easily.
  • Enhance Chocolate Intensity: Use dark cocoa powder for a more robust chocolate flavor that complements the Guinness's deep, malty notes.
  • Make Ahead Friendly: This cake tastes even better the next day, allowing flavors to meld and develop a more complex taste profile.

Delicious Takes On Mary Berry Guinness Cake

  • Vegan Guinness Cake: Replace butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and cream cheese frosting with cashew cream cheese.
  • Gluten-Free Irish Stout Cake: Swap wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, maintaining same rich chocolate flavor.
  • Low-Sugar Dark Chocolate Guinness Cake: Use sugar substitute like stevia, dark cocoa powder, and reduce overall sugar content in frosting.
  • Dairy-Free Guinness Chocolate Cake: Substitute butter with vegetable oil, cream cheese with dairy-free alternative like almond cream cheese, using plant-based milk.

Pairings That Work With Mary Berry Guinness Cake

  • Harmonize Guinness Cake with Flavor Companions
  • Pair with Bold Irish Whiskey: Smooth, caramel-rich Irish whiskey complements the deep chocolate and stout notes, creating a luxurious taste experience that celebrates Irish culinary traditions.
  • Complement with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, cool vanilla ice cream balances the cake's rich, dense texture, offering a refreshing contrast to the intense chocolate and Guinness flavors.
  • Match with Salted Caramel Sauce: Drizzle a warm, golden salted caramel sauce over each slice to enhance the cake's complex flavor profile, adding a delightful sweet-salty dimension that elevates the dessert.

Storage Tips For Mary Berry Guinness Cake

  • Store covered cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between cake and cover to prevent frosting from sticking.
  • Wrap entire unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Store in freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before frosting.
  • Cut cake into individual portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Keeps perfectly for 1-2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.
  • Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power. For best texture, let cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore moisture and softness.

FAQs For Mary Berry Guinness Cake

  • Why does this recipe use Guinness beer?

Guinness adds deep, rich flavor and moisture to the cake, creating a complex taste profile that enhances the chocolate’s depth and provides a subtle malty undertone.

  • Can I substitute the Guinness with another beer?

While other dark stouts can work, Guinness specifically provides a unique flavor that complements chocolate perfectly. Non-alcoholic dark beer or strong coffee can be alternative substitutes.

  • Is this cake very alcoholic?

No, most alcohol cooks out during baking. The Guinness primarily contributes flavor, not significant alcohol content, making it safe and delicious for most people.

  • How difficult is this cake to make?

This cake is relatively straightforward for intermediate bakers. The key steps involve melting ingredients carefully, mixing gradually, and ensuring proper ingredient incorporation.

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Guinness Cake Recipe

Guinness Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 65-75 mins
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Guinness chocolate cake delivers a rich, indulgent experience with deep Irish stout notes dancing through moist chocolate layers. Creamy cream cheese frosting crowns this irresistible dessert, promising pure bliss with each heavenly slice you savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (237 milliliters) Guinness Extra Stout
  • 10 tablespoons (142 grams) unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup (85 grams) unsweetened chocolate
  • 3/4 cup (170 grams) sour cream

Leavening and Seasoning:

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 cups (150 grams) confectioners sugar
  • 8 ounces (227 grams) cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven at 350°F and prepare a 9-inch springform pan with parchment lining and light butter coating.
  2. In a saucepan, gently melt Guinness with butter over low heat, then incorporate chocolate until creating a silky, uniform mixture. Allow to cool slightly.
  3. Whisk together sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract until well blended, then gradually incorporate the warm chocolate-Guinness blend.
  4. Sift together flour and baking powder, then delicately fold into the liquid ingredients, ensuring no dry pockets remain.
  5. Transfer batter to prepared pan, spreading evenly, and bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  6. While cake cools, create frosting by whipping cream cheese with sugar until fluffy, then gradually introduce cream, mixing until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  7. Allow cake to cool completely at room temperature, which prevents frosting from melting.
  8. Once fully cooled, generously spread cream cheese frosting across the top of the cake, creating gentle swirls or an even layer.
  9. Slice and serve at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Swap butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version that maintains rich moisture and depth of flavor.
  • Use gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly cake without compromising texture or taste.
  • Allow Guinness mixture to cool completely to prevent scrambling eggs when combining wet ingredients.
  • Prevent cake from drying out by checking doneness with a toothpick around 45-50 minutes, as ovens vary in temperature precision.
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 50-60 mins
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 353 kcal
  • Sugar: 39 g
  • Sodium: 190 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Jackson Reid

Jackson Reid

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Single-serving recipe development
  • Global flavor fusion
  • Minimalist cooking techniques
  • Food photography and styling

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and hands-on kitchen training


Jackson’s love for cooking began one dish at a time. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Holyoke Community College’s HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he focused on what mattered most: creating recipes that are simple to follow and full of flavor.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Jackson brings together global influences and a less-is-more approach. His recipes reflect his belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to make sense, taste great, and feel right.
When he’s not testing ingredients or adjusting seasonings, you’ll find him hiking near Asheville, exploring local markets, or chasing the best light for food photos.

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