Few desserts evoke the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day quite like chocolate Guinness cake. Dark, rich and crowned with a cloud of creamy frosting, the cake mirrors the look of a freshly poured pint of Guinness.

Though rooted in Ireland’s love of stout, the chocolate Guinness cake itself is a relatively modern classic that has found fans around the world. Rich, moist and chocolatey, the cake gets added depth from stout, which enhances the cocoa flavour without tasting noticeably of beer.

Its popularity has grown well beyond Ireland, appearing in cookbooks and kitchens from celebrated chefs like Nigella Lawson to Yotam Otttolenghi. For many bakers, it has become a go-to dessert for March celebrations — comforting, dramatic and surprisingly easy to make.

Classic Chocolate Guinness Cake

A rich, moist chocolate Guinness cake topped with a light cream cheese frosting that resembles the head of a freshly poured pint. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

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Ingredients

Cake

1 cup Guinness stout
1 cup unsalted butter
¾ cup cocoa powder
2 cups granulated sugar
⅔ cup sour cream
2 large eggs
2½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
2½ teaspoons baking soda

Cream Cheese Frosting

10 oz about 1¼ cups cream cheese, softened
1¼ cups icing sugar
2 tsps cornstarch
½ cup whipping cream 35%

Instructions

Cake

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Butter and line a 9-inch springform pan.
In a large wide saucepan over medium-high heat; heat Guinness and butter until butter is melted. Whisk in the cocoa and sugar. Reduce heat to low.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Gradually whisk sour cream mixture into the saucepan; gently whisk in flour and baking soda.
Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan. Bake until top springs back when gently pressed, 45 to 60 minutes. Let cool completely on a rack.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Meanwhile, using electric beaters or a stand mixer on medium, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Sieve over the icing sugar and cornstarch and then beat to combine.
In a small bowl, beat whipping cream to soft peaks. Stir about one third of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to combine; gently fold in the remaining whipped cream.
Ice the top of the cooled cake so that it resembles the frothy top of the famous pint.

Keyword chocolate Guinness cake, cream cheese frosting, Irish chocolate cake, Moist chocolate cake, St. Patrick’s Day dessert

Where to try Chocolate Guinness Cake in Ireland

For travellers exploring Ireland’s food scene, tasting the cake locally adds another layer to the experience (no pun intended). Across the country, cafés and bakeries reinterpret the dessert, blending traditional baking with Ireland’s most famous stout.

Teach Nan Phaidí – Inis Mór

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A post shared by Ferry to Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher from Galway (@aranislandferries)

On Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, visitors can find chocolate Guinness cake at the charming café Teach Nan Phaidí. Reaching the island requires a ferry or a short flight from nearby Connemara — a journey that feels wonderfully remote. After exploring ancient stone forts and windswept cliffs, sitting down for a slice of rich chocolate cake in a cosy cottage café feels like the perfect reward.

Teach Nan Phaidí
Kilmurvey, Inis Mor
Aran Islands

Anantara at The Marker – Dublin

hot tea poured into a tea cup at afternoon tea at the Anantara Marker in Dublin — Photography, courtesy Anantara Dublin

In Dublin, a more polished take can be found at Anantara at The Marker. Their “Poetry and Places” afternoon tea celebrates Irish culture through elegant pastries and desserts. One highlight is a chocolate Guinness cake crafted to resemble a perfect pint of the famous stout — a playful tribute to Ireland’s iconic brew.

Anantara at the Marker
Grand Canal Quay
Docklands, Dublin

Alchemy Café – Cork

Enjoying coffee outside Alchemy Coffee shop in Cork, Ireland — Photography, courtesy of Alchemy Coffee Shop & Bookstore

Meanwhile in Cork — often called Ireland’s unofficial food capital — Alchemy Coffee pairs its chocolate Guinness cake with specialty coffee in a creative, art-filled space. Located on Barrack Street, the café and bookstore has built a loyal local following thanks to its handmade baking and community-focused vibe.

Alchemy Coffee and Bookstore
123 Barrack St
The Lough, Cork