This Chocolate Guinness Cake is a bold, bakery-style dessert with an incredibly moist crumb and deep chocolate flavor. It’s finished with a silky cream cheese frosting whipped with a splash of Baileys Irish Cream for a smooth, light Irish-cream finish that pairs perfectly with the chocolate and Guinness stout.

Chocolate Guinness Cake topped with cream cheese frosting on a pink plate.


 

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • Ultra moist texture: Oil and stout keep the crumb soft for days.
  • Deep chocolate flavor: Natural cocoa powder and stout amplify each other beautifully.
  • Simple one-bowl recipe: Just whisk everything together for an easy, fuss-free cake.

If you love boozy desserts, you must try my Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce, Bacardi Rum Cake, and Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes. If you love beer in baking, try my Homemade Beer Bread and Guinness Cupcakes with Maple Cinnamon Frosting.

A slice of chocolate Guinness Cake being removed from the rest of the cake.

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • All-Purpose Flour – Provides the structure and body that holds the cake together.
  • Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the cake while also helping keep it moist and tender.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Gives the cake its deep chocolate flavor and reacts with the baking soda to help the cake rise.
  • Baking Soda – Acts as the leavening agent, helping the cake rise and become light and soft.
  • Salt – Enhances the chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness.
  • Vegetable Oil – Keeps the cake very moist and creates a soft, tender crumb.
  • Guinness Stout Beer – Deepens the chocolate flavor and adds moisture to the batter.
  • Vanilla Extract – Rounds out and enhances the chocolate flavor.
  • Cream Cheese – Creates a tangy, creamy base that balances the rich chocolate cake.
  • Powdered Sugar – Sweetens and thickens the frosting to a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  • Heavy Cream – Lightens the frosting and makes it fluffy and smooth.
  • Baileys Irish Cream – Adds a subtle Irish cream flavor that pairs perfectly with the chocolate stout cake.

How to make Chocolate Guinness Cake:

(The full written and printable recipe is further below.)

Step #1) In a large bowl, toss together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step #2) Stir in the vegetable oil, stout, and vanilla extract until just combined.

Step #3) Pour the batter into a greased 9″ round cake pan. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

Step #4) In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and Baileys until smooth.

Step #5) With the mixer on low, slowly pour in the heavy cream. Increase the speed to medium and continue mixing until stiff peaks form.

Step #6) Spread the frosting on the completely cooled cake.

Delicious variations:

  • 🔥Spiced Guinness Loaf – Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg to the batter for a warm, spiced depth.
  • ☕️Mocha Guinness Cake – Stir in 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder along with the cocoa powder to enhance the chocolate flavor.
  • 🍊Chocolate Orange Guinness Cake – Add 1 tablespoon of orange zest to the batter for a citrusy contrast.
  • 🧁Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes – Bake the batter at the same temperature for about 18–20 minutes.

Storage & freezing instructions:

Storing – Keep the frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and bring to room temperature before serving. If unfrosted, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Freezing – Wrap the completely cooled, unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. For frosted cake, freeze uncovered for 1 hour, then wrap tightly and store in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.

The inside of a chocolate Guinness cake topped with cream cheese frosting on a pink plate.

Recipe FAQs:

Does this chocolate Guinness cake taste like beer?

No, the Guinness enhances the chocolate flavor, making it richer and more complex, but you won’t taste the beer itself.

Can I make this cake without Guinness?

Yes! You can substitute Guinness with strongly brewed coffee or Coca-Cola for a similar depth of flavor without the alcohol.

Can I use Dutch-processed cocoa powder?

It’s best to stick with natural cocoa powder here because the recipe uses baking soda, which needs acidity to activate.

Can I use a different frosting?

Absolutely! A simple chocolate ganache, whipped cream, or vanilla cream cheese frosting would pair beautifully with this cake.

If you’ve tried this Chocolate Guinness Cake Recipe or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

5 from 1 review

Chocolate Guinness Cake

Yield: 10 servings
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Author: Lily Ernst
Course: Dessert
Method: Bake
Nothing says indulgence like a rich and moist Chocolate Guinness Cake topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting.
Print Leave a Review Pin Recipe

Ingredients

For The Cake:

  • 1 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 & 1/4 cup Guinness stout beer
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For The Frosting:

  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp Bailey's Irish cream, or 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup heavy cream, cold
  • 1 Tbsp cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for topping, optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9" round cake pan.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
    1 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt
  • Stir in the vegetable oil, stout, and vanilla extract until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
    1 & 1/4 cup Guinness stout beer, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and Baileys until smooth.
    4 oz cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 Tbsp Bailey's Irish cream
  • With the mixer on low, slowly pour in the heavy cream. Increase the speed to medium and continue mixing until stiff peaks form.
    1 cup heavy cream
  • Spread the frosting on the completely cooled cake. Dust with cocoa powder or sprinkle some chocolate shavings on top if desired.
    1 Tbsp cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for topping

Notes

Leftovers can be put in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Calories: 430kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 38mg, Sodium: 270mg, Potassium: 161mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 33g, Vitamin A: 502IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 38mg, Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @littlesweetbaker on Instagram and hashtag it #littlesweetbaker.

Recipe adapted from Inquiring Chef