Name: Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe
Prep time: 5 h 30 min
Cook time: 27 min
Total time: 5 h
Cuisine: Irish-inspired
Ingredients: 2 bottles 11.2–12 ounces (330–355ml) Guinness beer; 1 and 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 3/4 cup (62g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder; 1 and 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons espresso powder (optional); 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil (or canola oil or melted coconut oil); 3/4 cup (180g) full-fat sour cream, at room temperature; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk*, at room temperature; 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature*; 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 2 and 1/2 cups (300g) confectioners’ sugar; 1/2 cup (41g) unsweetened natural or dutch-process cocoa powder; 3 Tablespoons (45ml) reduced Guinness, from step 1; pinch salt; optional: gold sprinkles for garnish

If you’re looking for a chocolate cake with a twist, let me introduce you to the magic of a Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe. Rich, moist, and bursting with deep chocolate flavor enhanced by the unmistakable Guinness beer, this cake will quickly become your new favorite go-to for celebrations or just because.

The image shows a rich chocolate cake in two layers covered with dark brown smooth chocolate frosting. The top layer has thick swirled chocolate frosting borders decorated with small golden sugar sprinkles. A slice of cake is slightly pulled out, showing a moist, dense chocolate cake layer beneath the frosting. The cake sits on a round wooden board placed on a white marbled surface, with a green cloth nearby and a silver cake server lifting the slice. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe truly blew me away the first time I made it. The secret? Reducing the Guinness on the stove to deepen its flavor before folding it right into the batter — such a simple step that unlocks incredible richness.

Real Guinness flavor: You taste the beer’s malty richness without it overpowering the cake.
Ultra moist texture: Sour cream, buttermilk, and oil keep the crumb tender and decadent.
Unique frosting twist: Cream cheese frosting with cocoa and a touch of reduced Guinness makes every bite special.
Great for any occasion: Whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day or a weeknight treat, this cake always impresses.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, it’s worth gathering everything to get that rich, perfectly balanced flavor. A few key tips: choose natural cocoa powder for the batter to maximize depth, and make sure your ingredients are at room temperature for the best texture.

Flat lay of two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small mound of natural unsweetened cocoa powder, a small pile of granulated sugar, a small pile of baking soda, a small pile of baking powder, a small pile of salt, a small pile of espresso powder, a simple white ceramic bowl containing glossy vegetable oil, a simple white ceramic bowl with full-fat sour cream, a small white ceramic bowl with pure vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl holding buttermilk, a simple white ceramic bowl containing reduced dark Guinness beer, a block of full-fat cream cheese, a stick of unsalted butter, a small pile of confectioners’ sugar, and a small pile of natural cocoa powder, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Guinness beer: This is the star! Reducing it concentrates the flavors without watering down the cake.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure for a soft, yet sturdy crumb.
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder: Ensures an intense chocolate taste that pairs beautifully with Guinness.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with a tender texture.
Baking soda and baking powder: Work together for lift and a perfectly risen cake.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness and bitterness.
Espresso powder (optional): Boosts chocolate flavor without adding coffee taste.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender — you can swap canola or melted coconut oil if you prefer.
Full-fat sour cream: Adds moisture and a slight tang that balances the richness.
Eggs: Bind everything together, contributing to structure and moisture.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the overall flavor.
Buttermilk: Reacts with baking soda to help the cake rise and adds a subtle tang.
Cream cheese: For the frosting’s luscious texture and tangy complement to the chocolate.
Unsalted butter: Provides richness and creamy body to the frosting.
Confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting.
Cocoa powder (for frosting): Adds chocolate flavor to the frosting, and you can use natural or Dutch-process.
Pinch of salt: Balances sweetness and elevates all the flavors in the frosting.
Gold sprinkles (optional): For a festive, pretty finishing touch.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about a Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe is how easy it is to customize it to suit your mood, dietary needs, or occasion. Whether you want a gluten-free version, a festive spin, or a simpler frosting, there’s plenty of room to make this cake truly your own.

Gluten-Free Variation: I swapped out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend with xanthan gum, and the texture stayed incredibly moist and tender. It was a hit with gluten-sensitive friends, proving this cake’s versatility.
Seasonal Twists: Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients gives the cake a cozy warmth that’s lovely for fall or winter gatherings. A handful of dark chocolate chips folded into the batter add a delightful surprise.
Dairy-Free Adaptation: You can use coconut oil and a dairy-free sour cream alternative, along with a vegan cream cheese substitute in the frosting, to make this cake dairy-free. It still keeps that rich Guinness kick and luscious texture!
Frosting-Free for a Simpler Treat: If you prefer, this cake is so moist and flavorful you can serve it with a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead of the cream cheese frosting.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe

A thick slice of dark chocolate cake with two rich, moist layers separated by a smooth, creamy chocolate frosting sits on a white plate. The top and sides of the slice are coated with the same frosting, decorated with small golden sugar sprinkles on the edge. A silver fork presses gently into the bottom layer of the cake. The background shows a soft white marbled texture with a blurred dark cup in the distance. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Reduce the Guinness to Concentrate Flavor

This is the magic step where Guinness becomes the star of the show. Pour both bottles of Guinness into a large saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and let it gently simmer for about 30 minutes until it reduces to roughly ¾ cup. You’ll notice the rich aroma deepening as the liquid thickens slightly. Reserve ½ cup of this hot reduced Guinness for the cake batter—using it warm blooms the cocoa powder beautifully and intensifies the chocolate flavor. Set aside the remaining cooled reduced Guinness for the frosting later. Bonus tip: You can do this step a couple of days ahead and refrigerate it to save time on baking day.

Step 2: Prepare Your Pans and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans thoroughly, then line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds. Don’t forget to grease the parchment too—this extra step makes sure your cakes will pop right out without any sticking or tearing. This little prep effort pays off when you go to frost your perfectly shaped layers.

Step 3: Whisk Together Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, natural cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder (if using) until everything is evenly combined. This helps distribute all the raising agents and flavorings so your cake rises uniformly and tastes balanced.

Step 4: Blend the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, or directly in your stand mixer bowl, beat the vegetable oil, full-fat sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until smooth and fully combined. Then, add the room-temperature buttermilk and mix just until blended. Having all your ingredients at room temp ensures a silky, uniform batter and a moist crumb.

Step 5: Combine and Add the Reduced Guinness

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and mix briefly until just incorporated. Then, carefully add the ½ cup of hot reduced Guinness and whisk on low speed until your batter is smooth and beautifully thin. You should have around 6 cups or 1250g of cake batter total—the thin texture is exactly right for a moist, tender crumb.

Step 6: Bake and Cool the Cake Layers

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared cake pans. Place them in the oven and bake for 27 minutes, keeping a close eye as ovens vary slightly. The cakes are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let the cakes cool completely in the pans on a wire rack—this makes them easier to handle and less likely to break when you frost.

Step 7: Make the Luscious Guinness Cocoa Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat the softened cream cheese and butter on medium speed for about 2 minutes until creamy and smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons of cooled reduced Guinness, and a pinch of salt. Start beating on low speed for 30 seconds, then turn the mixer to high and beat a full minute until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency if needed: add a little more powdered sugar if too thin, or a splash more Guinness if too thick. A quick taste will let you decide if you want a bit more salt to balance the sweetness.

Step 8: Assemble, Frost, and Chill

If your cake layers have domed on top, level them by slicing off the rounded tops with a serrated knife. Place one layer on your serving plate, spread about 1 cup (250g) of frosting evenly over the top, then add the second layer. Use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides, smoothing with a bench scraper or spatula for clean edges. For an extra special touch, pipe some frosting and sprinkle gold shimmer accents on top. Chill the cake uncovered in the refrigerator for at least an hour to let the frosting set before slicing. This step makes serving easier and cleaner.

Top Tip

Making a Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe that’s perfectly moist and bursting with flavor is all about a few key details that bring the best out of every ingredient.

Reduce the Guinness Slowly: I learned that simmering the Guinness gently until it reduces to about ¾ cup concentrates the flavor beautifully without bitterness or drying out the batter.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Using eggs, sour cream, and buttermilk at room temperature helps the batter mix more evenly, avoiding lumps and resulting in a tender crumb.
Add Hot Reduced Guinness to the Batter: Pouring the hot reduced Guinness last and mixing it in low and slow really blooms the cocoa's flavor—this trick makes a noticeable difference!
Don’t Skip the Parchment Paper: Greasing your pans and lining them with parchment prevents your cake layers from sticking, so they come out perfectly smooth for frosting.

How to Serve Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe

The image shows two parts of making a chocolate batter. On the left, a clear glass bowl with thick, smooth dark brown chocolate batter is being mixed with a metal whisk, while a clear measuring glass is pouring more dark liquid into the bowl, creating small bubbles on the surface. On the right, two round white bowls contain evenly spread dark brown batter with a slightly shiny, textured surface, resting on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Once your luscious cream cheese and cocoa frosting is in place, you can add a classy touch by sprinkling gold shimmer sprinkles on top for an elegant look. Fresh raspberries or a dusting of cocoa powder or powdered sugar also complement the deep chocolate-Guinness flavor wonderfully.

Side Dishes

Serve your Guinness Chocolate Cake with a dollop of lightly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for contrast. For something special, pair it with fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or a warm berry compote to brighten each bite.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover your leftover Guinness Chocolate Cake tightly and refrigerate it for up to 5 days. Using a cake carrier is a fantastic way to keep it fresh and protect it if you’re transporting it to a gathering or storing it in the fridge.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Wrap the cooled and frosted cake tightly in plastic wrap (several layers help prevent freezer burn), then place it inside an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving, and bring it to room temperature or enjoy it chilled.

Reheating

While Guinness Chocolate Cake is delightful served chilled or at room temperature, if you prefer it slightly warmer, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before slicing. Avoid microwaving the whole cake to preserve texture and frosting consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of beer instead of Guinness?

Guinness has a unique malty and roasted flavor that complements chocolate so well. While you can substitute other stouts or dark beers, the taste will vary. Lighter beers or ales aren’t recommended as they won’t impart the same depth of flavor.

Why do I need to reduce the Guinness before adding it?

Simmering the Guinness concentrates its flavor and evaporates excess liquid, which ensures the cake remains moist without becoming too dense or wet. It also prevents bitterness and makes the chocolate flavor pop more.

Can I make this as cupcakes instead of a cake?

Yes! The same batter works wonderfully for Guinness chocolate cupcakes. Just adjust baking time to about 18–22 minutes and keep an eye on them. Frost as you would the cake, or with a mocha Guinness buttercream for a fun twist.

Do I need to use espresso powder in the recipe?

Espresso powder is optional but recommended as it amplifies the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee. If you don’t have it, the cake will still be delicious.

Final Thoughts

This Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe is a beloved indulgence that brings a little bit of Irish-inspired magic to your dessert table. Its rich, moist layers paired with the tangy cocoa cream cheese frosting make it a standout at any celebration. Whether it’s a special occasion or a cozy weekend treat, I hope you enjoy every bite as much as I do baking and sharing it with loved ones.