Chocolate Guinness Cake

Three years ago today, I was going back and forth on my night’s plans for which party seemed like the better option to go to (such pressing issues I had to deal with back then). Being my indecisive self, I decided to do all of my options – why not spread the love and make an appearance to each of the parties, right?

I showed up to my friends grad party first, only expecting to stay for a hour or two. Little did I know that the company, one boy in particular, would keep me at this party and make me totally forget about my intensions of going elsewhere that night as well. From that night on this guy and I become inseparable and I honestly couldn’t imagine my life without him. He keeps me sane and the most happiest I have ever been.

This post is dedicated to my boyfriend Joel, my best friend, my confidant.

Joel, like me, has a lot of favorites. So when I say that Guinness beer is one of his go-to’s, it really includes that and maybe 5 others 😉

He’s only enjoyed Guinness in drinking form, which is normal, but when he found out that it could be incorporated into cakes and brownies, he was flabbergasted. I know, little things like that really amaze him, it’s cute.

For our anniversary, one idea I had was to treat him to a little pack of Guinness and an irresistible, decadently rich Chocolate Guinness Cake.
Not to toot my own horn, but DAMN was that a good idea.

Chocolate Guinness Cake
Recipe adapted from Gavan Murphy
Serves 9-12

Ingredients:
– 2/3 cups of Guinness
– 10 tbs butter
– 1/2 cup cocoa powder
– 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
– 1 1/3 cups sugar
– 1 tsp baking soda
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1 large whole organic egg plus 1 organic yolk
– 2/3 cups of sour cream (I used a high-protein, non-fat Greek yogurt)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Butter or spray an 8-inch round cake pan then line with parchment or wax paper. Butter paper.
2. Bring Guinness and butter to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Add in cocoa and whisk until smooth. Cool slightly.
3. Sift flour and baking soda. Then whisk flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt in a large bowl to blend; set aside.
4. Beat egg and yolks, and sour cream or yogurt with an electric mixer in another large bowl.
5. Add Guinness-chocolate mixture to egg mixture and beat just till combined.
6. Add flour mixture and beat 30 seconds on slowest speed. (Can fold batter using rubber spatula until completely combined) Pour into prepared pan.
7. Bake for 50-55 minutes. Mine took exactly 50 minutes. You can tell if it’s ready by inserting a toothpick into the center, which should come out clean.
8. Transfer to rack and let cool for 10 minutes. Run a small sharp knife around edge of cake to loosen and turn cake onto rack; cool completely.
*NOTE: I didn’t use a knife as my cake easily slid out of the pan. I kept it right side up as well and just peeled away the parchment paper.

Topping ideas: Fresh berries, ice cream, sifted confectioners’ sugar

This cake is a MUST try – and a great way to treat your loved one on a special occasion …maybe even for Father’s Day that’s coming up!

Hope you enjoy and have an awesome day!
xo