Guinness Chocolate Cake¶

| 1.10 hours |
Ingredients¶
Cake¶
- 2 bottles (11.2–12 oz each)
Guinness Draught Stout
- 1 ¾ cups (219 g)
All-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (62 g)
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 1 ¾ cups (350 g)
Granulated sugar
- 2 tsp
Baking soda
- 1 tsp
Baking powder
- 1 tsp
Salt
- 2 tsp
Espresso powder (optional)
- ½ cup (120 ml)
Vegetable or canola oil
- ¾ cup (180 g)
Full-fat sour cream, room temperature
- 2 large
Eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp
Pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120 ml)
Buttermilk, room temperature
Frosting¶
- 8 oz (224 g)
Full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (115 g)
Unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups (420 g)
Confectioners’ sugar
- ½ cup (41 g)
Unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp
Reduced Guinness
- 1 tsp
Pure vanilla extract
Cookware¶
Large saucepan
Two 9-inch cake pans
Parchment paper
Large bowl
Stand mixer
Instructions¶
Step 1¶
Pour both bottles of Guinness Draught Stout into a
large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce to medium-low and simmer for about 30 minutes until it reduces to approximately ¾ cup (180ml). Set aside to cool slightly. Note: You will use ½ cup for the cake batter and reserve the rest for the frosting.
Step 2¶
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans, line with
parchment paper, and grease the parchment.
Step 3¶
In a large bowl, whisk
all-purpose flour (219g),
unsweetened natural cocoa powder (62g),
granulated sugar (350g),
baking soda,
baking powder,
salt, and
espresso powder (optional) until combined.
Step 4¶
In a separate bowl (or
stand mixer), whisk
vegetable or canola oil (120ml),
full-fat sour cream (180g) (room temperature),
large eggs (room temperature), and
pure vanilla extract until combined. Mix in
buttermilk (120ml) (room temperature).
Step 5¶
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Give it a quick whisk, then add ½ cup of the hot reduced Guinness. Mix on low speed until just combined. The batter will be very thin.
Step 6¶
Divide the batter evenly between the two pans. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 7¶
Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans before frosting.
Step 8¶
To make the frosting, beat softened full-fat brick cream cheese (224g) and softened
unsalted butter (115g) together on medium-high speed in a
stand mixer until smooth (about 2 minutes).
Step 9¶
Add confectioners’ sugar (420g),
unsweetened cocoa powder (41g), 2 tablespoons of the reserved
reduced Guinness, and
pure vanilla extract.
Step 10¶
Beat on low for 30 seconds, then switch to high and beat for full 2 minutes until light and creamy. If it's too thin, add more sugar; if too thick, add the remaining tablespoon of Guinness.
Step 11¶
Place one cake layer on a stand, cover with frosting, top with the second layer, and frost the top and sides.