Guinness; it’s not just for drinking any more. As part of a continued trend, chefs and confectioners are incorporating the beloved Irish beer into everything from bread to lamb stew.
Since Arthur Guinness began tinkering with ales in the late 1750s and then eventually focused on porters at the end of the century, the Irish have been enjoying the fruits of his labor. Today, the beer not only has a name in Ireland but around the globe. Perhaps it is this popularity that is spurring a movement to the kitchen. To try the trend for yourself, indulge in this easy-to-create cake.
Chocolate Guinness Cake with Classic Cream Cheese Icing
INGREDIENTS
Guinness Cake
1 (12 oz.) bottle Guinness
1 stick unsalted butter, cubed
2 cups sugar
¾ cup baking cocoa
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup sour cream
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
Cream Cheese Icing
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
3 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
chocolate shavings, for garnish
PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 350°F. Flour and butter two 8-inch round cake pans. Over medium-low heat, warm the beer and butter until the butter is melted. Remove from heat and whisk in sugar and baking cocoa until blended.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla. Add this mixture into the beer mixture, stirring to combine. In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda. Add these dry ingredients to the wet, stirring to combine. Pour the batter into the two cake pans.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted at the cake’s center comes out clean. Allow to cool for a few minutes and then remove from pan and continue cooling on a wire rack.
While the cake cools, make the icing. Place the butter and cream cheese in a large bowl and beat until fluffy. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla and continue to beat until smooth (do not over-beat).
Ice the cooled cake and garnish with chocolate shavings.