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

If you've ever wondered how to make a truly unforgettable chocolate cake with a twist, let me share my favorite Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe with you. This cake is all about that rich, malty Guinness flavor meeting deep, moist chocolate—it's like a little taste of Irish magic right in your kitchen.

A rich chocolate cake is shown with one slice being lifted by a silver cake server beneath it. The cake has two visible layers of dark chocolate sponge, separated and covered in thick, smooth chocolate frosting. On the top, the frosting is evenly spread with swirled textures, and there is a decorative border made of dark chocolate frosting rosettes sprinkled with small gold sugar crystals around the edge. The cake sits on a wooden board on a white marbled surface with a green cloth nearby. 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

I’ve made this Guinness chocolate cake more times than I can count, and every time it delivers that perfectly moist texture and a fudgey, cocoa-rich taste with just the right hint of beer. Plus, the creamy cocoa cream cheese frosting ties it all together beautifully.

Intense Guinness Flavor: Reducing the Guinness first concentrates that rich maltiness without thinning the cake.
Moist and Tender: The mix of sour cream and buttermilk keeps the crumb wonderfully soft and luscious.
Creamy Cocoa Frosting: A luscious cream cheese frosting that’s perfectly balanced with cocoa and a splash of Guinness.
Flexible & Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep components days in advance or freeze layers for future indulgence.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before we dive in, take a moment to gather everything you’ll need. A quick shopping tip: go for natural cocoa powder in the cake for the best flavor and texture, and make sure your dairy ingredients are at room temperature to get the smoothest batter.

Flat lay of two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a heap of unsweetened natural cocoa powder on another white ceramic plate, a pile of granulated sugar on a separate white ceramic dish, a small white bowl containing baking soda, a small white bowl with baking powder, a small white bowl with salt, a small white bowl filled with espresso powder, a small white bowl with golden vegetable oil, a dollop of full-fat sour cream on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl holding buttermilk, a block of full-fat cream cheese on a white plate, a pat of unsalted butter on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl with confectioners’ sugar, a small white bowl containing Dutch-process cocoa powder, and a small white bowl filled with reduced Guinness liquid, all carefully arranged in perfect symmetry and natural proportions, placed 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: The star of the show! Reducing it intensifies the flavor without watering down your cake.
All-purpose flour: Provides the essential structure for the cake’s tender crumb.
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder: Gives that deep chocolate taste and a lovely texture when combined with hot Guinness.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender crumb.
Baking soda and baking powder: The leavening duo that lifts the cake to fluffy perfection.
Salt: Balances and enhances all the flavors.
Espresso powder (optional): A subtle enhancer that boosts chocolate richness without tasting like coffee.
Vegetable oil (or canola/melted coconut oil): Keeps the cake moist and tender.
Full-fat sour cream: Adds richness and moisture while tenderizing the crumb.
Large eggs: Binds the ingredients and adds structure.
Pure vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth.
Buttermilk: Adds tang and works with the leavening agents for a tender crumb. (You can make a DIY version if needed!)
Cream cheese (for frosting): Brings a creamy tang that balances the sweetness flawlessly.
Unsalted butter (for frosting): Creates a smooth, luscious texture.
Confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting.
Unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting): Adds chocolate depth to the frosting.
Reduced Guinness (for frosting): Ties the frosting flavor to the cake with a subtle malty note.
Pinch of salt (for frosting): Brings all the frosting flavors into balance.
Gold sprinkles (optional): Because who doesn’t love a little sparkle on a celebration cake?

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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

The beauty of this Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe is how easily it adapts to your tastes and needs. Whether you want to dial up the chocolate, lighten it for a special diet, or put a festive twist for holidays, there are lots of ways to make it truly your own.

Gluten-Free Variation: I’ve tried swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend with good results. Just be sure it includes xanthan gum to keep that moist, tender crumb we all love.
Vegan Twist: While this version uses eggs and cream cheese, a fun experiment is to replace eggs with flaxseed “eggs” and use coconut yogurt plus vegan cream cheese. The cake’s richness shines through even with these swaps!
Seasonal Spin: Around St. Patrick’s Day, adding a teaspoon of Irish whiskey or a splash of Bailey’s into the frosting really takes the festivity up a notch. Plus, it pairs wonderfully with the Guinness flavor.
Cupcakes: This batter works beautifully for cupcakes — just reduce baking time to about 20 minutes. Top them with the same luscious cocoa cream cheese frosting for an irresistible treat.

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

A close-up image of one slice of a three-layer dark chocolate cake on a white plate. The cake layers have a rich, moist, and textured look with a dark brown color, separated by thick, creamy chocolate frosting layers. The outside is covered with smooth chocolate frosting, decorated with small golden sugar sprinkles on the top edge. A shiny silver fork is cutting into the bottom layer of the cake. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, with a blurry dark cup in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Reduce That Guinness for Maximum Flavor

The first step is all about transforming Guinness into liquid gold. Pour two bottles 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 simmer until the volume is reduced to about three-quarters of a cup—this takes roughly 30 minutes. This reduction intensifies the beer’s deep, malty notes without watering down your cake. I like to do this part early, so I can multitask on the batter while it simmers. Remember: use ½ cup of that hot reduced Guinness in your cake batter right away, and set aside the rest to cool for the frosting.

Step 2: Prep Your Pans and Oven for Success

While the Guinness is reducing, get your oven preheated to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans, then line them with parchment paper rounds followed by a light greasing of the paper. This little extra step ensures your layers come out cleanly and beautifully—no broken edges or stuck bottoms here!

Step 3: Whisk Dry Ingredients Together

In a large bowl, whisk the flour, unsweetened natural cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder (if using). This helps evenly distribute all your leavening agents and deep chocolate flavor so your cake bakes up perfectly every time.

Step 4: Blend Your Wet Ingredients

Using a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the vegetable oil, full-fat sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until combined smoothly. Then stream in the buttermilk and whisk just until incorporated. This mix will be creamy and luscious, setting the stage for your moist and tender cake layers.

Step 5: Bring Wet and Dry Ingredients Together + Add Guinness

Pour your wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry mix and stir quickly but gently. Now the magic: add ½ cup of the hot reduced Guinness and mix on low speed until everything is fully combined. The batter will be wonderfully thin—don’t worry, that’s exactly right—and should weigh about 1250 grams or measure roughly 6 cups total. Thin batter means extra moist cake layers.

Step 6: Bake Those Layers to Perfection

Divide the batter evenly into your prepared pans and pop them in the oven. Bake for 28 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center — it should come out clean. If your cakes have a slight sink when cooled, that's totally normal and just shows how moist they are thanks to the cocoa powder. Cool completely on a wire rack while still in the pans for easy handling.

Step 7: Create the Decadent Cocoa Cream Cheese Frosting

With a paddle attachment on medium speed, beat softened cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons cooled reduced Guinness, and a pinch of salt. Beat on low for 30 seconds, then crank up to high for 1 minute. Adjust the consistency by adding more sugar or cocoa powder if too thin, or more Guinness if it feels too thick. Always taste — a pinch more salt can really balance all those flavors perfectly.

Step 8: Assemble and Frost Your Masterpiece

If your cakes have domed tops, level them with a serrated knife for a smooth, even surface. Place one layer on your serving plate and spread about 1 cup (250 g) of frosting evenly on top. Add the second layer, then frost all over the top and sides. For super smooth edges, use a bench scraper or offset spatula. If you'd like, pipe a border on top and sprinkle with gold shimmer sprinkles to add a bit of glam.

Step 9: Chill and Serve with Love

Refrigerate your frosted cake uncovered for 30 to 60 minutes to help the frosting set and make slicing a breeze. After chilling, serve the cake either cold or at room temperature — both are divine. Store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge; they keep fresh and delicious for up to 5 days, making for perfect next-day indulgence.

Top Tip

Making the perfect Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe is all about layering flavors and textures thoughtfully. These tips come from lots of baking trials and trials–honing in on what really lifts this cake from great to unforgettable.

Don’t Skip the Guinness Reduction: Reducing the Guinness intensifies its rich, malty notes without adding extra liquid that could throw off the cake’s texture. I always set a timer because simmering it too long changes the flavor.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This ensures the batter emulsifies smoothly and helps the cake rise evenly. I’ve noticed that skipping this step can lead to denser cake layers.
Level Your Cake Layers: Trimming the domed tops makes frosting a breeze and gives you that professional, even look. Plus, those trimmings make a delicious crumble topping for ice cream!
Chill Your Cake Before Slicing: Letting the assembled cake chill uncovered helps the frosting firm up perfectly, so your slices come out neat and clean without smudging.

How to Serve Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe

Two images show the process of making a dark brown chocolate batter. On the left, a glass bowl holds thick chocolate batter with a whisk inside, while a clear measuring cup pours a dark liquid into the bowl. On the right, a white round dish is filled with smooth dark brown batter with small bubbles on the surface, placed on a white marbled background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

This Guinness Chocolate Cake is stunning on its own, but a few garnishes take it over the top. Try sprinkling gold shimmer sprinkles for a celebratory sparkle or dust a light cocoa powder or powdered sugar stencil atop for an elegant touch. Fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries add a lovely tart contrast to the rich chocolate and cream cheese frosting.

Side Dishes

Pair your Guinness Chocolate Cake with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the deep chocolate and creamy frosting. For a cozy tea-time treat, serve alongside an Irish coffee or a robust black tea. The maltiness in the Guinness complements caramel-flavored sides like salted caramel sauce or a sprinkle of toasted nuts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Guinness Chocolate Cake tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. A cake carrier or an airtight container works best to keep the frosting fresh and prevent the cake from drying out. Before serving leftovers, you can let slices sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes for the best flavor and texture.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully! Wrap each baked and cooled cake layer tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil if freezing the layers alone—store for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the fully assembled and frosted cake the same way. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature or serve chilled.

Reheating

Since this is a rich chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting, reheating isn’t typically necessary. If you prefer warm cake, remove the frosting from the slice, warm gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, then add frosting back on top. Alternatively, serve at room temperature to enjoy the full flavor and ideal crumb.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different beer instead of Guinness?

Guinness is unique in its malty, slightly bitter flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate. While you can substitute another stout, it won’t have the exact depth or iconic taste. Lighter beers will alter the cake’s flavor and texture significantly.

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

Reducing the Guinness concentrates its flavors and removes excess liquid, which helps retain the perfect cake texture. Adding unreduced beer would make the batter too wet and affect the crumb.

Can I make this cake dairy-free or vegan?

This recipe depends on dairy for the sour cream, buttermilk, and cream cheese frosting, which contribute to its moistness and creamy texture. For vegan adaptations, consider plant-based substitutes, but expect some differences in flavor and texture.

How long does it take to make this cake from start to finish?

While active prep and baking take about 1 hour and 27 minutes, the full process including chilling the cake to set the frosting takes approximately 5 hours. Chilling is important to get clean, smooth slices.

Final Thoughts

The Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe is truly a celebration cake—a beautiful way to combine the rich, bittersweet character of Guinness with luscious chocolate and creamy frosting. Whether it’s for a special occasion or a cozy weekend indulgence, the layers of flavor and that perfect crumb make every bite feel like a comforting treat. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing this cake as much as I do. Happy baking!