Serves: ~12
Approx cost: β¬4.20
Approx calories (per slice): ~340
Approx preparation and cooking time: 50 minutes
[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #0B0B61;”]I’ve got very fond memories if this cake – my mother used to make it from time to time when I was younger and I used to just love the flavour. Before you start worrying – no, it doesn’t really taste of beer, and it’s certainly not a cake which is going to be getting you drunk… unless you’re eating like fifteen thousand slices, and if you did that, I would think you’d probably have other problems to worry about. There are many nicer ways of getting merry. What you do get from the beer however is a wonderful, rich background flavour. A certain “je ne sais quoi” which sits there, tickling your taste-buds. You definitely need to use a dark beer or stout. While you could try this with a lager I really don’t think that’s a path you want to go down. The bitterness from Guinness is what complements the chocolate so well. The original recipe is from Delia Smith – I’ve made a few adjustments to bring the recipe in-line with my five euro budget. I could have actually stuck to pretty much the original recipe in its entirety, but it would have involved using nasty store brand plain chocolate and if the choice is between funky store brand chocolate, or no chocolate at all, I’d often rather take no chocolate at all, unless it’s unavoidable. Not only that, but a few of the ingredients I can’t get in France and they needed to be changed. Incidentally, on the subject of ingredients, I was able to get the last can of Guinness from the store. I would have really been up the creek without a paddle if they’d had no Guinness so I was pretty lucky there.
I’m done with winter now. I’m sick of having no natural light for my food photography, and having to do all the blog cooking on the weekend. I made something in the week which I would have loved to be able to share, but – surprise! It was pitch black outside and everything would have had a lovely orange hue! Awesome :(. I would say that I’m looking forward to the summer, but we not even into Spring yet. We’ve been having a real cold-snap at the moment – It’s -7 outside right now (-30 in the north of Sweden incidentally π ), and we have snow forecast for tonight. It’s set to warm up towards the end of next week so let’s hope I can finally welcome in Spring then (and update my header image on the blog!).
Anyway – I’m going to be cooking up some things tomorrow to post about in the coming days. There’s some things which I’ve been meaning to make for ages, so I’m going to slowly start working my way through that list. I hope you all have a fun-filled Sunday and take it easy!
Chocolate Guinness Cake
[learn_more caption=”Video Recipe”]
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 275g Demerara Sugar
- 200ml Guinness or other stout/bitter beer
- 175g Self-Raising Flour
- 110g Butter, softened
- 50g Cocoa Powder
- 2 Eggs
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
For the icing:
- 140g Icing Sugar
- 60g Butter, softened
- ~4 tbsps Guinness
- 1 Handful of Pecan nuts for decorating
You’ll also need:
- 2 x 20cm Cake Tins
Instructions
- Start off by pre-heating the oven to 180 degrees Celsius, and then we’ll begin by making the cake. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until more pale in colour and then add in the eggs, one by one, beating well between each addition.
- Next, transfer the cocoa powder to a bowl, and pour in the Guinness bit by bit, whisking well between each addition, to create a smooth soupy consistency.
- Add the flour into the beaten sugar, butter and eggs and fold in gently. Next, add in the Guinness and cocoa mixture, bit by bit, and stir in well between each addition until it’s all blended together.
- Grease and flour your baking tins and divide the mixture equally between the two tins, before placing into the oven. Bake the cakes for about 30 minutes – perhaps one or two minutes more, depending on your oven.
- The cakes should be quite flat on top, perhaps a little risen, and have come away from the edges of the tins slightly when done. You should also be able to stick a skewer in them and have it come out clean. Remove from the oven when done and allow to cool in their tins for 10 minutes, before turning out carefully and allowing to cool down fully on a wire rack.
- Once the cakes have almost completely cooled down, start to make the icing. Mix the butter and icing sugar together until you have a stiff paste. Add in the Guinness, a tablespoon at a time, mixing well between each addition, until you have a manageable icing. Don’t add too much Guinness, but if you do, you can correct it by adding a bit of extra icing sugar.
- Split the icing into two and spread half on the top of one cake, and then lay the other cake on top. Spread the other half of the icing over the top of the final cake, before decorating with pecan nuts. Enjoy! π
Hotly Spiced says
That’s a beautiful looking cake Charles. I just love the photo where you show a slice of the cake on a plate – looks so tempting. Sorry to hear about the weather. It can be so frustrating when there’s no natural light for the photography. We of course are not having sunsets until 8pm so no excuse for us. But, we have had the wettest and coldest summer on record so we’re all fed up with the mould and dampness in all our homes but…the sun has been shining for the past two days and we are happy again! I hope your Spring arrives early!
Charles says
Thanks Charlie – you know, last night it snowed, so today the rooms had a very stark, cool light in them… better than nothing I suppose π Roll on summer at least – I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to be able to cook a leisurely meal and still have time to photograph it at 8 or 9pm!
ping says
Good looking cake, Charles. Unfortunately I can’t share your love for it. I’d made this a couple of years ago for St Patrick’s Day and altho it was getting oohs and aahs from the folks who had it, I just couldn’t like the taste of the guinness in there. Not a guinness/beer person, I guess.
Charles says
Thanks Ping – Haha, what a coincidence! I find it really doesn’t taste of beer at all, although I can understand that if you don’t appreciate that background flavour you’re not going to like it. Too bad! I wonder what would happen if you substituted in red wine instead…! π
ping says
Hmmm … red wine … that’s a great thought!
Marianna says
Omg Charles, you are killing me! This looks so good, I can even overcome my fear of baking and try it myself. Will get some draft Guinness from a pub though. You think I could use some local stout like Beamish? It has more fruity taste but still bit bitter – love it much more more than Guinness…
Charles says
Hi Marianna – definitely. My mother didn’t actually use Guinness – she used some other random stout from the supermarket I think. I chose Guinness because small stores in France… let’s face it, chances of finding Irish stouts are already pretty slim. Beamish, Murphy’s, Caffrey’s … anything like that should be fine!
Marianna says
Hmm I just wanted to say that I can’t believe I missed that one and then I saw my comment here….
Eva kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com says
I adore Guinness Charles, and this cake sounds temptingβparticularly “A certain βje ne sais quoiβ which sits there, tickling your taste-buds” very nicely put! I am tired of winter here too, but I can’t complain, it has been very mild; it’s only -1Β°C today and although we have had bits of snow here and there, it’s never cold enough to remain…or rain melts it away. I can hardly wait to get my bike out and ride to work every day…soon!
Charles says
Hi Eva – I actually drank some of the Guinness yesterday after I’d done with the cake. I’d forgotten what it was like, but I really enjoyed it. I used to work in a bar and pulling myself a pint of Guinness when I’d closed up at the end of the night and sitting back for a bit before going home was a wonderfully relaxing part of the day!
Eva kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com says
Surprisingly Guinness is also lower in calories than most other regular beers, and it is packed (?) with antioxidants! Oh great, another reason to have one!
Barb @ Profiteroles & Ponytails says
I haven’t had lunch yet, and I have a terrible craving for Chocolate Guinness Cake! I know what you mean about the natural light…I’ve been struggling with that as well. At least it is February and it is starting to get a little lighter in the evenings (hopefully the same for you?) Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Charles says
Thanks Barb π I’d offer to send you some – I’ve got a few slices left, but I don’t think it would survive the trip π
Sissi says
Charles, I am impressed by the video! You have done a wonderful job! Congratulations!
So this is finally your mum’s cake I have heard so much about! I simply must try it because I know very well what “je ne sais quoi” a bit of Guinness brings to a cake (my Guinness ginger cake is on the list of my 3 favourite cakes I think). And I see there is also Guinness in the icing! All this sounds extraordinary!
I also am fed up with the Winter and feel depressed by the dark weather and photos in the artificial light…
Charles says
Hi Sissi, thanks so much! I’m glad you had a chance to take a look at my video π You should see my first video I ever made… no, actually don’t – it’s horrendous! My big, ugly mug grinning into the camera… π
Roll on Summer… can’t wait for warmer and brighter weather!
foodfashionandflow says
Charles,
you know you had me at chocolate, right? This looks so frikkin good!!!!!! it looks so moist like it just melts in your mouth. I am intrigued by the addition of Guinnes.
Charles says
Thanks LV – if you’re worried it’s going to taste of “flat beer” you don’t need to worry. The Guinness makes a really nice addition which goes perfectly with the chocolate. I love it, although as Ping said above, maybe not everyone will like it!
bakingaddict says
I LOVE chocolate guinness cake and usually make it with a cream cheese frosting to look like the froth on top of Guinness. It actually snowed in London last night and today and is absolutely freezing. Look forward to reading about your cooking adventures π
Charles says
Hi Baking Addict – cream cheese frosting? That’s an awesome idea… I love it, really I do! I’m definitely going to do it that way next time. I bet the colour contrast between the cake and the frosting is beautiful too! Thanks for the idea π
It snowed last night here too… driving to work tomorrow should be a barrel of laughs :p
A_Boleyn says
A lovely chocolate cake and I’ve tasted Guiness (rich, creamy, full rounded flavour) so I know it tastes wonderful as well. π
Charles says
Thanks A_Boleyn – it’s a great cake – only about a quarter left now, lol π
A_Boleyn says
LOL … there is only 1/4 left of my crepe cake (which I stacked to make a 16-layer half cake out of an 8-layer whole cake) because I put it in the freezer, and there is only one of ME.
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles says
Charles! Are you kidding moi? What a masterpiece! And you know me, I donβt care at all for chocolate… and that beer sounds just awful…;-) YUUUM!!!! The lighting in your photos is exquisite… nothing like natural light… but Iβm with you on the winter scene; looking forward to warmer, sunlit days… Light is a big challenge here too – I have a 2 hour window during the day to take photos; if I miss it, itβs not worthwhile; the images just looks horrible. Loved the video Charles β so smart!
Charles says
Thanks so much Kelly – I suffer for my art. The last photo you see… I put the cake on my balcony table, and there I was, barefoot, in -8 taking the photos…. yeah, I know… I’m not so bright sometimes π
I just wish my kitchen was bigger and had more windows. I only have the balcony door windows for light in there and they’re set back a bit from the wall, so once the sun swings round, I’m screwed π
Linda says
I love to hear about childhood favorites!! Especially cakes a mother made; they are always the best! If you’d like, Charles, please feel free to link your chocolate cake to the chocolate love bloghop. You’ll find it on my site. I know this will be a big hit!!
Charles says
Thanks so much Linda – I’ll check it out right now π
kyleen says
This cake looks delicious! I’ve never tried Guiness (I’m 16), but I think my mom would buy a can for me to bake with. And I completely agree with being done with winter and jackets and scarves and the fact that it’s dark by the time I get out of school…
Charles says
Hi Kyleen – definitely… if you can get her to, it’s totally worth it. It gives such a rich flavour to the chocolate. Of course, saying that, maybe you’ll hate it… not everyone likes it, but for me, it’s like adding truffle oil to a pasta dish or something. Not at all necessary, but oh so delicious if you do!
Gursahiba @ Exquisite Niche says
Everytime I go on a diet and see something as incredibly delicious as this I forget my plans on controlling and drool over yummy desserts. This looks absolutely appetising. Just cant wait to try this recipe!
Charles says
Hehe, thanks Gursahiba. Let me know if you are able to give it a try… It has a beautiful flavour π
Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more says
Well that sure looks good, I sort of want to eat the batter it looked as good as s the frosting!
Charles says
Hi Sue – haha, cake batter is always a weakness of mine π I always make sure there’s some left over when it’s all served out to the tins so I can go wild with a soup-spoon π
betsyb says
I’ve eyeballed recipes for, and wanted to make, a Chocolate Guinness Cake for a long time now. Yours looks divine and so easy to make that it just moved to the top of my list for next cake to try. Thanks for the reminder and for another great sounding recipe! I’m enjoying your blog so much. π
I can’t believe those negative temps your having, that’s no fun! I have the same problem with no natural light to photograph things most of the time. Even on weekends if I start early, the light is gone when the dish is complete. Soon this will pass, though…the days are getting longer!
Charles says
Thanks Betsy – let me know how it goes! Will you make a post about it too?
You know, it even snowed on the evening that I published this post… and the snow is still on the ground with a little more last night… grr!
betsyb says
Hi Charles, I absolutely will make a post about it (and credit you, of course! π ) when I try it. I may even experiment with a different stout as well, perhaps a craft beer with a bit of coffee flavor in it.
Charles says
Hi Betsy – trying craft beers sounds like an excellent idea – I’d love to hear about the results. There’s a whole load of microbrews from England and Belgium I could try this with in the future – thanks for the idea π
Caroline says
Seriously, WHY oh why don’t I like chocolate? Your cake looks spectacular, Charles. I can’t decide if I like winter or spring/summer better for taking blog photos. Winter, I can wake up early and take photos before work, but spring/summer I have to rush home after work and cross my fingers that it’ll still be light outside! Eesh. Hope you had a great weekend. π
Charles says
Hi Caroline – I can’t imagine not liking chocolate… you poor thing π
Waking up early in winter? lol, you mad? π I guess I don’t know what time you start/finish work, but it’s usually still light up to about 10pm in the peak of summer here so it gives me lots of time π
Liz says
Oh, this sounds like one amazing cake! I’ve made a Guinness cake before with cream cheese frosting, but I think my crew would like it better with your chocolate buttercream…..mmmmmmmm.
Charles says
Hi Liz – I just adore the idea of a cream cheese frosting. The colour and flavour contrast must be amazing – great call… I’m going to try this myself next time π
Chopinand @ ChopinandMysaucepan says
Dear Charles,
That’s a good looking cake although I have never tried one with Guinness, but I’m also tempted to drink it on its own π
Charles says
Hi Chopinand – it’s a really rich cake, I loved it – the good thing is, if you buy a large can or bottle of Guinness, you’ll only use ~half for the cake, then you have a whole half left to enjoy from a cool glass! π
mjskit says
I’m not a fan of Guinness but I have tried it a couple of times and can see how it would definitely be a good complement to chocolate. Rich and malty (I think that’s the right beer terminology π ). Sounds and looks like a fabulous cake!
Charles says
Hi MJ – Yeah… rich and malty definitely describes it I think. There are other stouts which would probably work even better, but alas the chances of finding such beers in France is low π
Pure Complex says
I am willing myself, right now, to stop looking at these photos. I just can’t stop myself from looking at this amazing chocolatey goodness of a cake. And I hope I can still be invited over if I visit Paris π
Charles says
Haha, thanks Kay π Of course – should you ever visit Paris, you’re more than welcome to come visit for a slice of cake or a cinnamon bun π
Baker Street says
Chocolate and Guinness sounds heavenly! The cake looks delish.
Charles says
Thanks so much Baker Street – love your site name too… very clever π
Kitchen Belleicious says
beer and chocolate? Could life get any better? This cake looks and sound amazing! Perfect for the bloghop!
Charles says
Thanks so much Kitchen Belleicious. It was a lovely cake – really rich from all the cocoa and the beer! Thanks for coming by today π
Malli says
This reminds me of the Bahamian Chooclate Rum cake we bought back from our trip to the Bahamas soaked in rum-Yummy. Any cake with alcohol sounds awesome.LOL! I am tempted to eat a slice :)…Wow Great way to bake this Valentine’s season!
Charles says
Hi Malli – Did you make a post about that? I think I remember a post about an incredible looking cake on your site some time ago, but I think you went to quite a few restaurants and photographed the food there, so maybe not (perhaps I’ve even thinking of someone else entirely!)
Of course, now all I need are heart tins for the cake and I’m set π
Malli says
Charles,
Oh no, I’ve never baked a Rum cake but I would love to get a good recipe and try it out:) Love Love Love your chocolate cake.
shuhan says
that is just gorgeous charles! lol about the “there are easier ways to get merry” than getting drunk on 15000 slices of the cake. I love the idea of the beer in it. I can imagine the depth of flavour.
abotu winter. grr. i’m weary too. I was so sure spring’s coming, and then it had to snow -.- but i’m still hopeful. look at this post by another blogger :http://aweebitofcooking.co.uk/2012/02/05/signs/
(heh, a little something to cheer you up)
x
Charles says
Thanks Shuhan π We too had snow on Saturday night/Sunday morning, and again last night π Thanks for the link – it was so lovely to see the little bird and the snowdrops. Nice to see that spring is coming “somewhere” at least π
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I made Irish Stew before using Guinness but it’s so interesting that beer is in the cake! Your chocolate cake looks so fluffy from the side and it doesn’t look heavy at all. Very delicious piece!
You left us wonder what recipe you will be working on! Can’t wait can’t wait!!! =D
Charles says
Hi Nami – did you ever make a post about the Irish Stew? I love Irish stew – there are so many different varieties too. It can look really rich and thick, like this, or much more thin, like this – my friend lives in Ireland and has some really nice photos of Irish Stews and Irish breakfasts (omg! <3) on her site there π
Sawsan@chef in disguise says
Please don’t get me started on recipes lost due to the lack of light. It is frustrating when you make something and it comes out perfect and try as you may the pictures are horrible because of the lack of light!
This on the other hand is a beautiful cake and any recipe that comes with a set of memories is a winner in my book
Charles says
Thanks Sawsan – even though I photographed the cake in the middle of the day, I think again that the final photography suffered a little because I was *freezing*!!! π
Roll on summer… I can’t wait π
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Guinness in cake?!? I am sure it’s legit to face-plant into it π
Charles says
Haha, you made me think of the cartoon cat Garfield face-planting into a lasagna tray – have you seen it? π
Marie says
I haven’t made anything with beer yet, but your post on this delicious-looking chocolate cake has me convinced I should try. π I’m hoping for spring here too. But it’s been -13 for a few days now and it doesn’t look like it’s gonna get warmer. :O
Charles says
Hi Marie – you should try making a beer batter for fish and chips, or onion rings. I posted an easy beer batter recipe here a long time ago – please excuse the bad photos, but the batter is amazing. You need to add more salt than I do, but it’s crisp and delicious, thanks to the beer!
-13 is cold… we’ve had ~ -8 for a bit and that’s been painful. My parents-in-law have had -36 on some days up in the north of Sweden… ouch!
Jen at The Three Little Piglets says
I totally hear you on this one! It’s hard to get things baked, cooled, and set up to photograph before it’s dark out. If I’m not done by the time I get my kids from school at 3:00 forget it! Although I never thought’s I’d care so much about how the light made my cupcakes look!
Charles says
Hi Jen – it seems my spam filter caught you for some bizarre reason – I rescued your comment π Looking forward to summer so much. Leisurely cooking in the evening and literally hours to take photos! Yay π
Marnely Rodriguez says
Beer and chocolate? I say yes please! And in honor of #chocolatelove, today is the last day to enter my 4 chocolate inspired giveaways! http://cookingwithbooks.blogspot.com/2012/02/foodie-love-for-your-foodie-lover.html
Charles says
Hi Marnely – thanks for dropping by! Alas I missed the closing date – sigh. Too bad, but thanks for letting me know about them! I do giveaways here from time to time. There’ll be another in a couple of months for my 200th post celebration, so do check back then π
Stefanie says
Wonderful looking cake! Guinness seems like a great addition. Definitely gonna need to try that. And at least you’re having wintery weather! It feels like spring here, but without the extra light… hehe
Charles says
Thanks Stefanie – let me know what you think if you get around to trying it π I wish it was spring here… I just can’t wait to see the buds and blossoms on the trees!
Ashley - Baker by Nature says
This cake is SCREAMING my name! I love my Irish wine almost as much as I love my chocolate cake: this is perfection!
Charles says
Thanks Ashley – it’s all gone now alas, but I did find it made a rather wonderful, albeit naughty, breakfast π
juniakk @ mis pensamientos says
chocolate and beer together sound fabulous!! i love making beer bread, so i am sure i would love this recipe! sending some #chocolatelove to you!
Charles says
Hi Juniakk – I love beer bread too… did you ever give it as a gift to someone? I like to fill a jar with all the flour and spices and then gift it to someone and just say “add a can of beer” – such a fun idea for a gift π Thanks for visiting my site today π
dudut @mytwistedrecipe says
i’m new to your blog and I must say, i will definitely go back!
nice looking cake and with the beer in it? cool!
nnice meeting you via #chocolatelove lovebloghop
Charles says
Hi Dudut, nice to meet you! Thanks for dropping by today, and I’m always happy you liked the look of something I made π
kristy says
Oh I totally feel your pain on having to cook on the weekends or during the day. It’s just not as fun (or convenient). Days are getting longer though – that’s what I keep telling myself anyway. π I love that your mom used to make you this cake – that makes it all the more special. Now, in the meantime, I’ll have one of those kiwi rum drinks and toast to warmer days ahead. (Alright, maybe I won’t have the kiwi drink right now…but I’ll think about it!)
Robert-Gilles Martineau says
A chocolate cake prepared with beer, a bit of a discovery although I always make my crepes with beer instead of water or milk! LOL