St Patrick’s day is around the corner, and of course, we’ve got a cake to help you celebrate (not that this cake should only come out once a year).

Guinness, and stout generally, can divide people, but honestly, a good stout can be a joy to drink, and in fact, I’m partial to a pint myself. Plus, it’s full of iron and has fewer calories than the equivalent of fresh orange juice (yes, I checked before typing). So it’s tasty, could be considered a healthy choice - in certain situations - and is banging in a cake.

There’s quite a range of Guinness cake styles out there. For our take on it, we’re going with a tried and tested chocolate combo but also embracing its maltiness, which gives it a really rounded and moreish finish.

The below recipe will see you making a delicious cake to celebrate with this March, not that it’s only for St. Patrick’s day as this can absolutely be enjoyed year-round. And while we’ve given you the recipes for all the decoration on top too, a lusciously malty Swiss meringue buttercream, a chocolate ganache, and a use for any extra crumbs, you can, of course, add your own decorations too, e.g., fondant four-leaf clovers or green leprechaun top hats.

If, however, the process seems daunting, we’d be delighted to make one for you - head over here for our Guinness Cake to buy!

Guinness Chocolate Malt Cake Recipe

For the Guinness Chocolate Malt Sponge Layers

Ingredients

• 300g plain flour
• 400g granulated sugar
  
• 75g cocoa powder
• 100g malted milk drink powder
• 3.75tsp baking soda
• 150ml yoghurt
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 250ml Guinness or any dark stout
• 250g butter, cubed

Method

1. Preheat oven to 160°C (fan-assisted). Grease & flour three 6-inch round tins.
2. Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, malt powder & baking soda in a large mixing bowl.
3. Whisk eggs, yoghurt & vanilla in a separate bowl.
4. Heat Guinness & butter in a saucepan until the butter melts.
5. Gradually whisk the Guinness mixture into the egg mixture.
6. Combine wet & dry ingredients, whisking until smooth (it will be runny – don’t panic!).
7. Pour into tins & bake for 30-35 minutes (or until a skewer comes out clean).
8. Cool completely before slicing into even layers. Save any crumbs for decoration!

Guinness Malt Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Ingredients

• 150ml egg whites
• 225g granulated/caster sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 300g butter, softened at room temperature
• 100ml Guinness stout
• 100g Malted milk powder

Method

1. Follow the Swiss meringue buttercream recipe to make a batch of neutral Swiss meringue buttercream.
2. Simmer Guinness & malt powder, then mix into the buttercream.
3. Whip until fluffy & dreamy!
   

Guinness Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients

• 120g dark chocolate
• 60g butter, cubed
• 60ml Guinness stout

Method

1. Melt chocolate over a bain-marie (or microwave in short bursts).
2. Stir in butter until smooth.
3. Add Guinness & mix until glossy.

Decorating the Guinness Chocolate Malt Cake

Method

1. Layer the cake:
   Spread buttercream between each sponge layer.
   Stack 5 layers high for an epic cake!
2. Crumb coat the cake & chill for 15-20 mins.
3. Apply final buttercream layer & smooth it out.
4. Coat the base with sponge crumbs for texture.
5. Drip Guinness ganache over the edges for a show-stopping finish.
6. Decorate with buttercream swirls & extra crumbs on top.

Kick back with a pint of Guinness and enjoy this utterly delectable cake on Saint Patrick's Day, or any other day for that matter. It's divine!

Pro Tips

• Worried about sunken sponges? Check your baking soda isn’t old & bake at a slightly lower temp.
• Want a taller cake? Scale the recipe by 1.3x for 8-inch tins.
• Need it ASAP? Chill the sponges overnight for easier assembly.

Time to Enjoy!

Pour yourself a pint of Guinness & dig in! Tag @angesdesucre #angesdesucre with your cake pics - can’t wait to see your masterpieces!

Would you try this chocolatey, malty, Guinness-infused masterpiece? Let me know in the comments!

Lots of love,

Reshmi xoxo