Guinness cake is not a single recipe. The type of stout used — Draught, Extra Stout, or Guinness 0.0% — directly affects crumb structure, moisture retention, bitterness, and shelf stability. Professional bakeries select the stout based on the event, serving window, and desired flavour profile, not convenience.

At Anges de Sucre, Guinness cake is treated as a precision bake, not a novelty. Each stout profile produces a measurably different result, which is why Guinness cakes sit at the top of our chocolate cake range and are frequently chosen for milestone celebrations requiring reliable cake delivery in London.

Draught Guinness Cake: Soft Texture, Immediate Appeal

Draught Guinness uses nitrogen rather than carbon dioxide. In baking, nitrogen creates smaller, more stable air cells, producing a tighter, velvety crumb. This makes Draught-based Guinness cake lighter in mouthfeel and structurally resilient when sliced.

Flavour-wise, Draught Guinness enhances dark chocolate without introducing aggressive bitterness. The malt acts as a flavour amplifier rather than a dominant note, which is why Draught is preferred for traditional celebrations and gifts designed for immediate serving.

This profile is used in our Chocolate Guinness Cake and is particularly effective when paired with light cream cheese or Swiss-style buttercream finishes.

Extra Stout Cake: Deeper Flavour, Stronger Structure

Guinness Extra Stout is carbonated and higher in gravity. It contains more roasted barley and residual sugars, resulting in a denser, fudgier sponge with pronounced coffee and cocoa notes.

Extra Stout cakes develop more slowly and reach peak flavour after 24–48 hours, making them ideal for events where the cake is displayed before cutting. The firmer crumb also supports layered designs and complex flavour pairings.

This profile is favoured for tiered and architectural bakes, including Guinness cakes ordered for corporate events via our corporate cake service.

Guinness 0.0% Cake: Maximum Moisture, Inclusive Serving

Removing alcohol alters baking chemistry. Ethanol accelerates evaporation during baking; without it, Guinness 0.0% retains more internal moisture. The result is the most consistently moist Guinness cake we produce.

Without alcohol bitterness, chocolate flavours taste brighter and more fruit-forward. This makes Guinness 0.0% cakes suitable for mixed-age gatherings, religious considerations, and health-conscious celebrations.

Despite zero alcohol, the roasted barley character remains, allowing this version to sit confidently alongside our classic Guinness offerings.

Which Guinness Cake Should You Choose?

• Choose Draught for birthdays, gifts, and same-day serving
• Choose Extra Stout for formal events, tiered cakes, and delayed cutting
• Choose 0.0% for inclusive family celebrations with maximum moisture

All Guinness cakes are baked using controlled resting periods to allow moisture migration and flavour stabilisation. This ensures consistent results when delivered across London and Surrey using our in-house delivery team.

BONUS  - Why Guinness Cakes Travel Better Than Most Chocolate Cakes

Guinness cake has a naturally lower pH and higher moisture-binding capacity than standard chocolate sponge. When baked correctly, this reduces crumb collapse and edge drying during transport.

This is why Guinness cakes perform exceptionally well within our specialist cake delivery system and are regularly selected for long-distance London deliveries, including business districts and private venues.

To explore the full range, visit our Guinness cake collection or browse all celebration options within our London cake delivery collection.