Pin it
Created this cake one St. Patrick's Day when I wanted something beyond the usual green treats! The combination of dark stout beer and chocolate just clicked, and that coffee frosting takes it to another level. My friend Tom, who swears he doesn't like beer in anything, had three slices at our last party. Now it's our most requested celebration cake everyone asks about 'that amazing Guinness cake!'
What Makes It Special
This isn't your ordinary chocolate cake! That stout beer gives it this incredible depth adds richness without tasting like beer at all. The sour cream keeps it super moist, while the coffee frosting brings out all those chocolate notes. When my sister first tried it, she said it was like a fancy coffee shop dessert, but better. Those malty, chocolate, and coffee flavors just dance together perfectly!
Shopping List
- The Cake Base:
- Good stout beer
- Dark cocoa powder
- Fresh butter
- Farm eggs
- Sour cream
- Pure vanilla
- Fine sugar
- Fresh flour
- For Frosting:
- Soft butter
- Powdered sugar
- Strong espresso
- Heavy cream
- Real vanilla
- Kitchen scale
Let's Bake
- The Beer Magic
- Watching the stout and butter melt together is like making chocolate gold! When you add that cocoa powder, the whole kitchen smells amazing. Let it cool just a bit we don't want scrambled eggs in our cake!
- Mixing Time
- Fold everything together gently overmixing is the enemy of tender cake. The batter will be pretty thick, almost like a mousse. That's exactly what we want!
- Frosting Dreams
- Getting that frosting just right is key. Beat the butter until it's super light and fluffy, then add sugar slowly. When that coffee hits the mix it's pure magic!
- Assembly Art
- Take your time with the layers, making sure they're nice and level. I love watching the frosting cascade down the sides such a pretty sight!
Pin it
Pro Tips
Here's what I've learned: bring your eggs and sour cream to room temperature first makes everything blend better. Let that beer and butter mixture cool for at least 10 minutes. And don't skip sifting the dry ingredients it prevents cocoa powder lumps. For the frosting, really beat that butter until it's pale almost white that's how you get it super fluffy!
Get Ready
Setting up properly makes this cake so much easier! Get everything measured before you start especially important for the frosting. I like lining my pans with parchment circles saves so much stress about sticking. Keep a spare can of beer handy just in case and maybe one for the baker too!
Mix It Up
Feel free to play with different stouts each brings its own character! Sometimes I'll add a bit of cinnamon to the batter, or some espresso powder for extra depth. The frosting works great with different flavors too try Irish cream liqueur instead of coffee. Make it your own that's half the fun of baking!
Share the Love
This cake brings smiles wherever it goes! Whether it's for St. Patrick's Day or just because, there's something special about sharing such a unique dessert. The moment people hear there's beer in it, they get so curious then they taste it and can't believe how amazing it is!
Pin it
Sweet Success
This cake proves that sometimes the most unexpected combinations create the best results! From curious beginnings to becoming a signature recipe, it's helped create so many happy memories. Whether you're celebrating St. Patrick's Day or just need something special to share, this cake never fails to impress!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use a different type of beer?
- Yes, you can use any stout beer, though Guinness works best for its rich flavor. The darker the beer, the deeper the chocolate taste will be.
- → How should I store this cake?
- Keep the cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving for best taste.
- → Can I make this cake ahead of time?
- You can bake the cake layers up to 2 days ahead and store them wrapped in plastic wrap. The frosting can be made a day ahead and kept in the fridge.
- → Why do the ingredients need to be room temperature?
- Room temperature ingredients blend better and create a smoother batter. This helps make your cake more tender and evenly baked.
- → Can I skip the coffee in the frosting?
- You can replace the coffee with vanilla extract for a classic buttercream. The coffee adds depth but isn't essential to the frosting's success.