My Friend’s Famous Chocolate Guinness Cake
This is my favorite chocolate cake. It is so moist and dark. A friend shared this recipe with me years ago. She called it her “secret weapon” for parties. I still laugh at that.
The secret is the Guinness. It makes the cake rich, not beery. This is the best chocolate Guinness cake I know. It always feels like a celebration. What is your favorite cake to make for a special day?
Why a Stout Cake is So Good
You might wonder about beer in a cake. I did too at first. But the stout adds a deep, cozy flavor. It makes the chocolate taste even more chocolatey. Doesn’t that smell amazing when it bakes?
This matters because good food is about surprise. A simple change can make magic. This moist chocolate stout cake is proof. *Fun fact: The bubbles in the Guinness help make the cake super light and tender!*
The Story of This Chocolate Guinness Cake Recipe
This recipe is famous. Many know it as the Nigella Lawson Guinness cake. I first saw it in her book, “Feast.” My copy is covered in chocolate spots now. That is the sign of a well-loved recipe.
I love a recipe with a story. This one feels like a hug from a kitchen friend. That is why I share it with you. Do you have a cookbook that is splattered and loved?
The Magic of the Frosting
The topping is a dream. It is a Guinness chocolate cake cream cheese frosting. You whip it until it is smooth and fluffy. Then you spread it on the dark cake. It looks just like the foam on a pint of stout.
You can make a Guinness cake icing without cream. Just use the cream cheese and sugar. It will be thicker but still delicious. This matters because you should use what you have. Cooking is about making it work for you.
Your Turn to Bake
This is an easy chocolate Guinness cake. You mix it all in one saucepan. Less washing up is always a good thing. It is the perfect St Patrick’s Day dessert recipe.
Making a homemade chocolate cake with stout is an adventure. I promise it is worth it. Will you give this Nigella Feast chocolate cake a try this year? Tell me how it goes in your kitchen.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guinness | 250 millilitres (1 cup) | For the cake |
| Unsalted butter | 250 grams (2 sticks plus 2 tbsp) | For the cake |
| Cocoa powder | 75 grams (¾ cup unsweetened cocoa) | For the cake |
| Caster sugar | 400 grams (2 cups granulated sugar) | For the cake |
| Sour cream | 150 millilitres (⅔ cup) | For the cake |
| Large eggs | 2 | For the cake |
| Vanilla extract | 2½ teaspoons | For the cake |
| Plain flour | 275 grams (2 cups all-purpose flour) | For the cake |
| Bicarbonate of soda | 2½ teaspoons | For the cake (baking soda) |
| Cream cheese | 300 grams (8 ounces) | For the topping |
| Icing sugar | 150 grams (1¼ cups confectioners’ sugar) | For the topping |
| Cornflour | 2 teaspoons | For the topping (cornstarch) |
| Double cream | 125 millilitres (½ cup) | For the topping (whipping/heavy cream) |
Instructions
Step 1: First, get your oven warm and cozy. Set it to 350°F. Butter your springform tin well and line it. This little step makes all the difference later. I always hum a tune while I do this. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?
Step 2: Now, pour your Guinness into a big pan. Add the butter slices and warm it up. When the butter melts, whisk in the cocoa and sugar. This makes a rich, dark liquid. (Tip: Use a wide pan so you can whisk easily.) Your kitchen will smell like a chocolate dream.
Step 3: Beat the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla in a bowl. Pour this into your warm, beery pan. Gently whisk in the flour and bicarb. This batter is the secret to a moist chocolate stout cake. What’s your favorite cake smell? Share below! I still laugh at how dark it gets.
Step 4: Pour your batter into the prepared tin. Bake for about 45 minutes. Let it cool completely in the tin. This easy chocolate Guinness cake is very damp and tender. Leaving it to cool here keeps it perfect. Patience is a baker’s best friend.
Step 5: Time for the famous Guinness cake icing! Whip the cream cheese until smooth. Sieve the icing sugar and cornflour right over it. Beat it all together. (A little cornflour stops the icing from getting too runny.) This makes the best cream cheese frosting, so creamy and light.
Step 6: If using double cream, beat it right into the mix. For whipping cream, whip it soft first. Fold it gently into the cream cheese. Now, ice the top of your black cake. Swirl it like the frothy top of a pint. You just made the best chocolate Guinness cake!
Creative Twists
Add orange zest to the cake batter for a bright, sunny flavor. Top with chocolate curls for a fancy, festive look. Use a stout glaze instead of frosting for a simpler finish. Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving & Pairing Ideas
Serve a slice with a dollop of extra whipped cream. A few fresh berries on the side add a lovely color. For St Patrick’s Day, sprinkle with green sugar. It’s a wonderful homemade chocolate cake with stout. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Guinness Cake Happy
This cake is wonderfully moist. That means it stores well. Let it cool completely first. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It will last three days on the counter.
You can freeze it too. Wrap slices individually. They thaw perfectly for a quick treat. I remember my first one. I was so worried it would dry out. It stayed delicious for days.
Batch cooking matters. It gives you sweet gifts ready for any day. A homemade chocolate cake with stout in the freezer is a joy. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Cake Hiccups
Is your cake sticky in the middle? It might need more time. Ovens can vary. Use a skewer to check it comes out clean.
Is your icing too runny? Your cream cheese might be too warm. Chill everything first. I once had icing slide right off. It was a funny mess.
Did the top crack? Do not worry. That is normal for a moist chocolate stout cake. The creamy frosting will cover it beautifully. Getting these right builds your confidence. It also makes sure every bite is perfect. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
How to make Guinness chocolate cake
This easy chocolate Guinness cake is simple. Heat Guinness and butter in a pan. Whisk in cocoa and sugar. Mix in wet ingredients, then flour and bicarb. Bake in a lined tin. The result is the best chocolate Guinness cake. It is a famous Nigella Lawson Guinness cake. It is perfect for a St Patrick’s Day dessert recipe.
What is the best chocolate to use in Guinness cake
You do not use chocolate bars. The recipe uses cocoa powder. A good unsweetened cocoa powder works best. It blends smoothly with the stout. This creates the deep, rich flavor. It is the key to this moist chocolate stout cake. The cocoa mixes right into the warm Guinness and butter.
Can I make Guinness cake without alcohol
Yes, you can. Use a non-alcoholic stout. The baking process removes the alcohol’s bite. But it keeps the lovely malty flavor. The cake will still be wonderfully dark and tender. You will still have a fantastic homemade chocolate cake with stout flavor. It is a great option for everyone.
How to store Guinness chocolate cake
Store this moist cake covered at room temperature. It keeps for three days. The cream cheese frosting needs to stay cool. You can also freeze it. Wrap the whole cake or slices well. This Chocolate Guinness Cake recipe makes a cake that freezes beautifully. Thaw it at room temperature when you are ready.
Why is Guinness cake so moist
The Guinness and sour cream are the secrets. They add wonderful richness and moisture. The oil in the butter also helps. This creates a very damp, tender crumb. It is why this is known as a wonderfully moist chocolate stout cake. Every bite is soft and delicious. It is never dry.
What frosting goes with Guinness chocolate cake
A Guinness chocolate cake cream cheese frosting is classic. It is tangy and sweet. It balances the dark cake. For a Guinness cake icing without cream, just use cream cheese and icing sugar. Whip it until smooth. It mimics the frothy top of a pint. This topping makes the Nigella Feast chocolate cake special.
Which tip will you try first?
My Kitchen Wish for You
I hope you bake this cake. I hope your kitchen fills with its wonderful smell. Baking is about sharing joy. A fun fact: this recipe is loved worldwide. It is a true classic.
I would love to hear from you. Tell me about your baking adventure. Have you tried this recipe? Share your story in the comments below. Let us chat about cake.
Happy cooking!
—Grace Ellington.
Ultimate St. Patricks Chocolate Guinness Cake
Description
Chocolate Guinness Cake
Ingredients
For the Topping:
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/180°C/160°C Fan/350ºF, and butter and line a 23cm / 9 inch springform tin.
- Pour the Guinness into a large wide saucepan, add the butter — in spoons or slices — and heat until the butter’s melted, at which time you should whisk in the cocoa and sugar. Beat the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla and then pour into the brown, buttery, beery pan and finally whisk in the flour and bicarb.
- Pour the cake batter into the greased and lined tin and bake for 45 minutes to an hour. Leave to cool completely in the tin on a cooling rack, as it is quite a damp cake.
- When the cake’s cold, sit it on a flat platter or cake stand and get on with the icing. Lightly whip the cream cheese until smooth, sieve over the icing sugar and cornflour and then beat to combine.
- If using double cream, add it and beat until you have a spreadable consistency. If using whipping cream, whisk first to soft peaks, add a couple of spoonfuls into the cream cheese mixture and once this is combined, fold in the rest.
- Ice the top of the black cake so that it resembles the frothy top of the famous pint.
Notes
- This is a damp cake, so cooling completely in the tin is essential for structure. For best results, ensure all topping ingredients are at room temperature before mixing.