Guinness Chocolate Cake

Ingredients used

For this recipe, you will need only a handful of very basic pantry ingredients:

• Whole grain flour. I use whole grain flour for all my baking. It's a healthier, more nutritious option than all-purpose wheat flour. It's packed with fibers that keep our heart healthy (1). In this recipe, I used whole grain Spelt flour but you can use any whole grain flour here. 
• Cacao powder. Raw cacao powder is just beautiful. Unprocessed, bitter, deep-flavored, and incredibly healthy, one of the richest sources of antioxidants. (2)
• Butter. When baking sweets like these, I usually go with coconut oil. But since this IS a St. Patrick's inspired dessert, this time I used butter. 
• Sweetener. I used coconut sugar. Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than regular table sugar, which makes him a healthier sugar alternative.
• Guinness beer. AKA The star of this dessert. Guinness stout, with its roast coffee and caramelized flavors pairs so well with dark chocolate. It gave this cake richness and a beautiful depth of flavor.  

Other pantry ingredients you’ll need:

• Greek yogurt - It gave the cake the moisture and soft texture.  
• Egg - I used free-range, pasture-raised.
• Vanilla extract.
• Baking soda.

To make this chocolate Guinness cake even more interesting, I tossed in some cacao nibs too. I used Yacon-sweetened cacao nibs. It's like a super-healthy version of dark chocolate chips which you can totally use here if you don't have cacao nibs.

How to make Guinness Chocolate Cake

Like any other loaf cake, this Guinness Cake is a no-brainer to make. It requires some mixing but you'll need only basic equipment.

Equipment

• Measuring cups.
• Mixing bowls.
• Small saucepan.
• Whisk.
• 9x5 inch loaf pan.

Step by step instructions

• Step 1: Prepare ingredients.
  • Start with preparing and measuring all the ingredients. Use measuring cups.
  • Melt the butter in a microwave and leave it to cool at room temperature.
  • Position an oven rack in the middle and preheat the oven to 350F (176C).
  • Grease a 9-inch loaf pan with butter or line with parchment paper, leaving some of the paper hanging out opposite sides like handles. Set aside.
• Step 2: Make Guinness syrup.
  • In a small saucepan, bring Guinness beer to a boil.
  • Boil for 5 minutes, until reduced by half (you should have ⅔ cup reduced syrup). Set aside to cool.
• Step 3: Prepare dry ingredients.
  • In a small bowl mix flour with cacao and baking soda. Set aside.
  • Use a sifter for cacao and soda to make sure there are no lumps in the mixture.
• Step 4: Mix ingredients.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk coconut sugar, with eggs and vanilla extract.
  • Add melted butter, Guinness syrup, and Greek yogurt. Whisk to combine.
  • Stir in dry ingredients. Keep stirring until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Use the whisk.
  • Mix in cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips (if using).
• Step 4: Bake the cake.
  • Pour the mixture into a prepared loaf pan.
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake the cake!
  • Take the pan out of the oven. Let it cool slightly.
• Step 5: Serve.
  • Carefully take the cake out of the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Slice and serve. 

This makes 12 slices that serve 12 people.

Substitutions

• Flour. You can substitute whole grain Spelt flour with any whole grain flour. Or use plain/all-purpose flour if you prefer. Substitute at a 1:1 ratio.
• Butter. You can substitute butter with coconut oil. Substitute at a 1:1 ratio.
• Greek yogurt. You can substitute Grek yogurt with plain yogurt or sour cream. Substitute at a 1:1 ratio.
• Beer. Substitute Guinness beer with or any other stout beer.
• Cacao nibs. You can substitute cacao nibs with dark chocolate chips. Aim for 75%-85% dark chocolate.

Tips for storing

• Counter: Once cake is completely cooled, store it in an airtight container and keep it on the counter for up to 3 – 4 days.
• Refrigerator: Cake will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator, in an airtight container.
• To freeze: Place the sliced cake in an airtight container or zip-lock freezer bags. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw on room temperature.

Recipe tips

• To check whether the cake is done, insert a skewer or toothpick into the center. If the toothpick comes out clean or with just a few crumbs on it, they are ready to come out of the oven.
• Make sure you use eggs at room temperature. Pull them out of the fridge before baking so they can rest for a bit. Or run the eggs under warm water to speed this process or set them in a bowl of warm water.
• If you're using coconut oil, in order to get all the health benefits from it, make sure to choose organic, virgin coconut oil rather than refined versions.
• If using butter, choose organic unsalted grass-fed butter.

If you're looking for more St. Patrick's Day recipes to try, here are some of my favorites.

• Irish Soda Bread Muffins
• Guinness Brownies
• Shamrock Protein Shake
• Matcha Pancakes
• Matcha Chia Pudding
• Matcha Protein Shake

More desserts to try