introduction
This Guinness Chocolate Poke Cake is a rich, moist chocolate cake with a boozy chocolate filling and whipped Guinness topping. It is easy to make and great for parties or a special dessert. If you like rich cakes, you might also enjoy a delicious banana coffee cake recipe.
why make this recipe
Make this cake when you want something that tastes deep and chocolatey. The Guinness adds a small bitter note that balances the sweet chocolate. The poke step lets the chocolate mix sink into the cake so each bite is soft and full of flavor.
how to make Guinness Chocolate Poke Cake
Follow the steps below to bake, fill, and top the cake. Work in simple stages: make the cake, poke and pour the filling, cool, then add the whipped topping.
Ingredients :
3/4 cup (168g) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups (310g) sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar (90g)
3/4 cup (180ml) sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 eggs
2 cups (260g) all purpose flour
3/4 cup (70g) dark cocoa powder (I use Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (240ml) Guinness Beer
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
1 cup (180g) semi sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup (60ml) Guinness beer
1 3/4 cups (420ml) heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup (60ml) Guinness Beer
1/2 cup (58g) powdered sugar
1/4 cup (29g) cocoa (I used regular natural unsweetened cocoa)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Mini chocolate chips
Chocolate sauce
Directions :
- Grease a 9×13 cake pan and preheat oven to 350°F (176°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugars together until light in color and fluffy, 3-4 minutes.
- Add the sour cream and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Add the eggs in two batches and mix until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
- Add half of the flour mixture to the batter and mix until combined.
- Add the Guinness to the batter and mix until combined. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add the remaining flour mixture and mix until smooth.
- Pour the cake batter evenly into the prepared cake pan and bake 32-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs. Remove the cake from oven and poke holes all over the top of the cake.
- Place sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips and Guinness in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, until warm.
- Whisk chocolate and milk until smooth, microwaving more, if needed to melt the chocolate.
- Pour chocolate mixture over the cake while still warm and spread to fill in holes.
- Set cake aside to cool, about an hour, then refrigerate until completely cooled.
- To make whipped topping, whip heavy whipping cream and Guinness until it begins to thicken.
- Add the powdered sugar, cocoa and vanilla extract and whip until stiff peaks form.
- Spread whipped topping evenly over cooled cake.
- Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over cake and drizzle with chocolate sauce. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
how to serve Guinness Chocolate Poke Cake
Cut the cake into squares and serve chilled. Add extra chocolate sauce or a few fresh berries on the side if you like. Serve with a cold glass of milk or coffee.
how to store Guinness Chocolate Poke Cake
Cover the cake with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze slices wrapped tightly for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge before serving.
tips to make Guinness Chocolate Poke Cake
- Make sure butter is room temperature for a smooth batter.
- Use a toothpick or the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes so filling sinks in.
- Warm the chocolate mix enough to melt chips, but do not overheat.
- Chill the cake well before adding whipped topping so the topping stays firm.
- For a stronger beer flavor in the topping, add a little more Guinness, but taste as you go.
variation (if any)
- Use another dark stout if you do not have Guinness.
- Swap semi-sweet chips for dark chocolate chips for a richer taste.
- Add a layer of chopped toasted nuts on top for crunch.
- For a non-alcohol version, use strong cold-brew coffee instead of Guinness.
FAQs
Q: Can I skip the alcohol and still get good flavor?
A: Yes. Replace Guinness with strong coffee or a non-alcoholic stout. The cake will still be rich.
Q: Can I make this in a different pan size?
A: You can use round pans, but baking time will change. Check doneness with a toothpick.
Q: How long does the whipped topping stay stable?
A: If chilled, the whipped topping stays firm for about a day. Add a stabilizer like a little cream cheese or gelatin for longer hold.
Q: Can I make the cake a day ahead?
A: Yes. Bake and add the condensed milk filling a day ahead, chill overnight, then add whipped topping before serving.
Q: Is this cake very sweet?
A: It is sweet but balanced by the bitter notes from the Guinness and dark cocoa. Adjust powdered sugar in the topping if you prefer less sweet.
Guinness Chocolate Poke Cake
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Description
A rich, moist chocolate cake with a boozy chocolate filling and whipped Guinness topping, perfect for parties or special desserts.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (168g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups (310g) sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (90g)
- 3/4 cup (180ml) sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups (260g) all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (70g) dark cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (240ml) Guinness Beer
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup (180g) semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup (60ml) Guinness beer
- 1 3/4 cups (420ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup (60ml) Guinness Beer
- 1/2 cup (58g) powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup (29g) cocoa
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Mini chocolate chips
- Chocolate sauce
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 cake pan and preheat oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Beat the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the sour cream and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Add the eggs in two batches and mix until incorporated.
- Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Add half of the flour mixture to the batter and mix until combined.
- Add the Guinness and mix until combined.
- Add the remaining flour mixture and mix until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 32-35 minutes.
- Remove the cake from the oven and poke holes all over the top.
- Microwave sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and Guinness until warm.
- Whisk the chocolate and milk until smooth, microwaving more if needed.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the cake while still warm.
- Cool the cake for about an hour, then refrigerate until completely cooled.
- Whip the heavy whipping cream and Guinness until it begins to thicken.
- Add the powdered sugar, cocoa, and vanilla, then whip until stiff peaks form.
- Spread whipped topping evenly over cooled cake.
- Sprinkle mini chocolate chips and drizzle with chocolate sauce.
Notes
Let the cake chill well before adding whipped topping for the best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
