If you love rich chocolate desserts with a grown-up twist, this Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Buttercream is pure indulgence. Deep cocoa flavors meet the bold, roasted notes of Guinness, all topped with a silky Irish cream buttercream and a glossy chocolate ganache drip. It’s the perfect centerpiece for celebrations—or just when you’re craving something truly special.
Why You’ll Love This Cake
- Ultra moist & rich thanks to sour cream and stout beer
- Deep chocolate flavor with subtle coffee-like notes
- Easy to make – no mixer needed for the cake batter
- Perfect for celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day
- Decadent finish with creamy buttercream and ganache drip
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ¾ cup sour cream (or full-fat yogurt)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup Guinness beer
For the Irish Buttercream
- 4 sticks (454 g) unsalted butter (softened)
- 6 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- ¼ cup + 2 tbsp Irish cream (like Baileys)
For the Chocolate Ganache
- 4 oz semisweet chocolate (chopped)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Optional: sprinkles or chocolate curls
Instructions
1. Make the Cake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 8-inch cake pans.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, mix sour cream, oil, eggs, vanilla, and Guinness.
Combine wet and dry ingredients gently until just mixed.
Divide batter into pans and bake 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool completely.
2. Make the Buttercream
Beat butter until light and fluffy.
Gradually add powdered sugar, then Irish cream.
Mix until smooth, fluffy, and spreadable.
3. Assemble the Cake
Place one layer on a plate and spread frosting on top.
Add the second layer and apply a thin crumb coat.
Chill briefly, then frost the entire cake (or keep a “naked” look).
4. Make the Ganache Drip
Heat cream until just simmering, then pour over chopped chocolate.
Let sit, then stir until smooth.
Cool slightly, then pour over the chilled cake and create drips along the sides.
Pro Tips for Success
- Measure flour and cocoa carefully to avoid a dense cake
- Don’t overmix the batter—this keeps it soft and tender
- Use room temperature ingredients for smooth mixing
- Chill the cake before adding ganache for perfect drips
- Always sift powdered sugar for a silky buttercream
Storage
- Store covered at room temperature for 2–3 days
- Keep in a cool, dry place
- Avoid plastic wrap directly on frosting
Final Thoughts
This Guinness Chocolate Cake is the ultimate combination of rich, moist chocolate cake and creamy, boozy frosting. It’s elegant enough for special occasions but simple enough to make anytime you want to impress.