Home · Recipes · Desserts & Baking · Cake Recipes · Layer Cakes Irish Whiskey and Stout Chocolate Cake Author: Maryanne CabreraPublished: Mar 10, 2014Updated: Nov 16, 2023 View Recipe21 ReviewsThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy. Super moist and flavorful stout chocolate cake. The layer cake is frosted with whiskey cream cheese frosting and topped with rich chocolate glaze. I’m not Irish, but I sure love celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. It’s the one time during the year when all my favorite bars and cocktail lounges stock up on the best Irish whiskeys and beers! Did you know that the color blue was originally associated with St. Patrick? Over the years, green took over and is the color that represents the holiday. This year I didn’t want to make green doughnuts, or a green cake, or even a mint shamrock shake. Nope, this year I’m making a boozy chocolate cake! Chocolate Stout Cake This isn’t your average chocolate cake. This chocolate stout cake incorporates Guinness stout beer and Jameson whiskey into various components. Guinness helps to add depth to the chocolate cake. The chocolate cake layers are soaked with whiskey sugar syrup. And, the cream cheese frosting is spiked with Jameson whiskey. The resulting assembled cake is beyond any other chocolate stout cake I’ve ever tried! Moist Flavorful Stout Cake This cake is super moist! The mixture of stout beer, melted butter, and yogurt keeps this cake soft and hydrated. Chocolate pairs wonderfully with stout. It’s no wonder why stout cake is so popular during this season! But, the best part of this cake is the whiskey cream cheese frosting. It not only balances the cake, the tangy flavors of the cream cheese adds such a nice burst of brightness. Does this whiskey stout cake take like alcohol? You get the essence and sweet flavors of whiskey without the alcohol taste. Storage & Leftovers Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Irish Whiskey and Stout Chocolate Cake 5 from 3 votes Super moist and flavorful stout chocolate cake. The layer cake is frosted with whiskey cream cheese frosting and topped with rich chocolate glaze. Yield: 8-inch cake Prep Time: 40 minutes minutesCook Time: 40 minutes minutesTotal Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes Servings: 12 slices Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe IngredientsGuinness Stout Chocolate Cake:▢ 1 cup stout beer▢ 10 Tbsp unsalted butter▢ ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder▢ 2 cup granulated sugar▢ 2 large eggs▢ ¾ cup nonfat plain yogurt▢ 1 tsp pure vanilla extract▢ 2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour▢ 1 ½ tsp baking powder▢ 1 tsp baking soda▢ ¼ tsp fine sea saltWhiskey Simple Syrup:▢ 1 part simple syrup (1 part water+1 part sugar, boiled and cooled)▢ 1 part Irish whiskeyWhiskey Cream Cheese Frosting:▢ 16 oz cream cheese▢ ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened▢ 3 Tbsp light brown sugar, packed▢ 2 cup powdered sugar, sifted▢ 3 Tbsp Irish whiskey▢ 1 Tbsp store-bought caramel sauce (optional)Chocolate Glaze:▢ 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped▢ 1 Tbsp unsalted butter▢ 2 Tbsp light corn syrup▢ ½ cup heavy cream Instructions Guinness Stout Chocolate Cake:Preheat oven to 350° F. Butter two 8-inch cake pans and line with parchment paper. Set aside.In a large saucepot, combine beer and butter. Cook over medium heat until butter has melted. Remove from heat and add cocoa powder and sugar. Stir until incorporated. Add eggs one at a time and whisk until incorporated. Mix in vanilla.In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add dry mixture in three additions, alternating with yogurt. Begin and end with dry mixture. Mix until thoroughly combined. Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans. If desired, use a kitchen scale to ensure cake batter is even. Level off batter using a mini offset or the back of a spoon.Bake for 40-50 minutes until cake is done and a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Let cake cool in pan for 5-8 minutes. Unmold cake and allow to cool to room temperature on a wire rack.Whiskey Simple Syrup:In saucepot, combine water and sugar. Bring to boil and allow sugar to dissolve. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Store in fridge until ready to use. Combine 2 tablespoons simple syrup and 2 tablespoons whiskey. Use this to lightly soak the cake layers during assembly.Whiskey Cream Cheese Frosting:In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add softened butter and mix until incorporated. Scrape down bowl as needed to ensure thorough mixing.Add brown sugar and sifted powdered sugar. Mix on slow speed until smooth. Add whiskey and caramel and mix until incorporated.Chocolate Glaze:In a medium bowl add chopped chocolate, butter, and corn syrup.Pour heavy cream in a small sauce pot and bring to a boil. Pour hot heavy cream over chopped chocolate. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let mixture sit undisturbed for 90 seconds.Remove plastic wrap and slowly stir together contents. Chocolate with melt and mixture will look watery, but as you stir the chocolate glaze will come together. Once mixture is smooth, let sit for a couple minutes until slightly thicken and mixture is a nice pourable consistency.Assembly:Slice the cakes into two even layers. You will end up with 4 cake layers.Place first cake layer on a cake stand, or plate. Use a pastry brush to lightly soak cake with whisky simple syrup. Follow with about ½ cup of whiskey cream cheese frosting. Use an offset spatula to spread frosting into an even layer.Add second cake layer and repeat with syrup and frosting. Continue to build cake until you have used all the cake layers.Crumb coat the exterior of cake with frosting. Place in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to chill. Remove cake and apply another coat of frosting around the side of cake. Place cake back in the fridge until you are ready to pour chocolate glaze.Remove cake from fridge. Pour slightly thicken chocolate glaze over the top of the cake. Allow the glaze to drip over the sides of the cake. Keep cake chilled until ready to serve. Notes I used Guinness stout beer. Any stout beer will work. Trader Joe’s has a chocolate stout beer that is delicious, as well! Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days. Let warm to room temperature before serving for best texture. NutritionCalories: 686kcal | Carbohydrates: 89g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 496mg | Potassium: 326mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 65g | Vitamin A: 886IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 230mg | Iron: 3mg Author: Maryanne Cabrera Course: DessertCuisine: American Did you make this recipe?Show us on Instagram! Tag @littleepicurean and hashtag #littleepicurean. In need of more St. Patrick’s Day treats? Check out my Irish Coffee Mousse, Chocolate Glazed Whiskey Bundt Cake, and Guinness Brownies with Butterscotch Fudge.
Rochelle @ Oh So Sweet Baker says: March 10, 2014 That cake looks divine. I love how the dark chocolate glaze stands out against that white. Pinned! Reply
Angie@Angie's Recipes says: March 11, 2014 The cake is a stunner! Love the colour contrast…basic yet beautiful! Reply
Erika Steinhardt says: March 28, 2017 The cake was delicious ; however there are a few tweaks you need to change to the instructions. Not enough product amounts for the whiskey sugar syrup–not enough for all layers. Unclear instructions on cake batter method Not enough ingredients for frosting– had to add several cups more of powdered sugar. Time consuming but overall end result was worth it Thx Reply
SHEYL says: March 16, 2018 WHEN PUTTING TOGETHER THE IRISH WHISKEY CAKE, STEP #3 SAYS TO ADD DRY INGREDIENTS AND YOGURT ALTERNATELY. WHAT YOGURT AND HOW MUCH???????????? Reply
Maryanne Cabrera says: March 16, 2018 “3/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt” is listed under the cake ingredients.
Alexandra says: March 18, 2018 Can I make this in 9in cakes pans? And if so do you know how much time/temperature to bake them at? Reply
Maryanne Cabrera says: March 18, 2018 Yes, you can bake this in two 9-inch cake pans. Same temperature, but reduce the baking time by 3-5 minutes.
Kellie says: December 19, 2018 This is, hands down, my Husband’s FAVORITE cake!!! Love the conbo of ingredients and the end result is always decadent!!! Thank you! Reply
Maryanne Cabrera says: December 20, 2018 That’s so wonderful to hear! Thank you for trying out the recipe! Wishing you a happy holiday season!
DAVID says: March 15, 2019 You mention “ one part” Irish Whiskey. How much is “one part”? Is it a tablespoon, one once, one jigger, what is the valume please? Reply
Kelley Reynolds says: March 15, 2021 Great cake! Very moist. Took it to a St. Patrick’s Day party. The guests were so impressed with the 4 layers! I read the comments as I made this cake. If you are a frosting loving or if making with 9 inch rounds, you might want to increase the frosting ingredients a titch. I followed the directions but only have 9 inch rounds. There was enough frosting, but I used every bit of what I made. Reply
Maryanne Cabrera says: March 15, 2021 Thank you for trying the recipe! Glad you enjoyed it! I will update the recipe with notes regarding 9-inch cakes.
Jane Doe says: January 28, 2022 Are kids able to eat this cake due to the alcohol in it or should we save this for a adults only party? Reply
Maryanne Cabrera says: April 8, 2022 Thank you for sharing! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe!