Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Buttercream

Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Buttercream: A Taste of Home

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about making a tender cake that brings back memories of family gatherings and cozy afternoons spent in the kitchen. Today, I’m thrilled to share with you my favorite Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Buttercream, a recipe that radiates warmth and rich flavors, perfect for any occasion! This is the kind of cake that hugs you from the inside, making it an ideal choice for a chilly day or a festive celebration.

As the chocolate cake bakes, your kitchen will fill with the comforting, chocolaty aroma that mingles with a hint of sweetness from the Irish cream buttercream. Trust me, it will be hard to resist sneaking bites of this indulgent treat—the deep flavors of Guinness paired with creamy, fluffy frosting makes each slice a celebration. This is definitely one you’ll want to pin for later!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich and Decadent Flavor: The addition of Guinness enhances the chocolate notes, making every bite a rich delight you won’t forget!
• Easy to Make: A straightforward recipe perfect for both novice and experienced bakers.
• Perfect for Celebrations: This cake is always a show-stopper at birthdays, holiday gatherings, and casual get-togethers alike.
• Irresistibly Creamy Frosting: The Irish buttercream provides a luxurious finishing touch to this already decadent cake.
• Family-Friendly Dessert: Ideal for sharing with loved ones; this recipe will quickly become a family favorite.

What You’ll Need for Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Buttercream

To whip up this comforting cake, gather the following ingredients:

• 1 cup Guinness beer
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur (or a non-alcohol substitute like vanilla extract for a delightful twist)

How to Make Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Buttercream

Let’s make this delicious cake together! Just follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt, blending well to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.

3. In another bowl, mix the melted butter, Guinness, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.

4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!

5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely—be sure to resist the urge to sneak a taste at this stage!

7. For the Irish buttercream, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar and Irish cream until the mixture becomes fluffy and light.

8. Once the cakes are fully cooled, spread a generous amount of buttercream between the layers and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining buttercream.

9. Slice and serve this heavenly cake, watching as everyone’s eyes light up with delight!

Variations & Creative Twists

• Nutty Delight: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for some crunchy texture—this will enhance the buttery taste and add a lovely, earthy note.

• Mint Chocolate: Incorporate a few drops of peppermint extract into the buttercream for a refreshing mint chocolate twist.

• Zesty Orange: Add some orange zest to the batter, creating a beautiful citrus-flavored balance with the rich chocolate.

• Berries on Top: Garnish each slice with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream for a touch of brightness and extra sweetness—perfect for those who love fruity flavors!

Chef Emma’s Helpful Tips

• Make-Ahead Option: This cake can be baked a day in advance. Just store the individual layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature until you’re ready to frost.

• Ingredient Swaps: If you don’t have sour cream available, plain yogurt works just as well and will keep your cake moist and tender.

• Slicing Tips: For clean slices, run your knife under hot water before cutting. Wipe it clean and repeat for each slice—this keeps the frosting looking perfectly beautiful.

• Storage: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator; it will last for about 3-4 days. Simply let it come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

What’s Inside – Nutrition Breakdown

Per Serving (1 slice, based on 12 servings):

• Calories: 360
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Sugar: 35g
• Fat: 15g
• Protein: 4g
• Sodium: 250mg

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make this ahead? Yes! Bake the cake layers a day or two in advance and frost it just before serving for the best taste.

• Can I use different ingredients? Absolutely! You can swap out the Guinness for a non-alcoholic stout or use chocolate-flavored soda for a fun twist.

• How do I store leftovers? Keep any leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge; it will stay delicious for about 3-4 days.

• How long does it last? The cake can be stored in an airtight setting for up to 4 days, but trust me, it will hardly last that long!

Final Thoughts

This Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Buttercream embodies joy, celebration, and comfort. It’s not just a dessert; it’s a heartfelt creation that brings people together. So gather your friends or family, share a slice, and indulge in the sweetness of togetherness. Be sure to save this beautiful recipe to your Pinterest board so it’s ready when you need a cozy treat! Happy baking!

Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Buttercream

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• Author: Chef Emma
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A rich and decadent chocolate cake infused with Guinness, topped with luxuriously fluffy Irish buttercream, perfect for any celebration.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup Guinness beer
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur (or vanilla extract)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, combine cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, mix melted butter, Guinness, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Gradually add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix gently until combined.
5. Divide batter between pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
7. For the Irish buttercream, beat softened butter until creamy, then mix in powdered sugar and Irish cream until fluffy.
8. Once cooled, spread buttercream between layers and frost the top and sides of the cake.
9. Slice and serve, enjoying the delighted reactions!

Notes

For added flavor, consider incorporating nuts, mint extract, or orange zest into the batter.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 35g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: cake, chocolate, dessert, Guinness, Irish cream, celebration