Chocolate Guinness Cake

My husband has been a big fan of Guinness beer for years. As a matter of fact we have 2 custom framed Guinness prints in our Living Room and we named our two cats Guinness and Sam Adams! When I found this cake a couple years ago I knew it was just the thing for my husband. The alcohol cooks out so obviously you can serve it without asking for id.


Chocolate Guinness Cake

2 c Guinness beer
2 c unsalted butter
1 1 /2 c unsweetened cocoa powder
4 c flour
4 c sugar
1 T baking soda
1 1/2 t salt
4 eggs
1 1/3 c sour cream

Icing
2 cups whipping cream
1 lb semisweet chocolate chopped


Grease 3-8" round cake pans and line with parchment paper and grease or spray it as well. Bring 2 cups Guinness and 2 cups butter to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and whisk until mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.

Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Using mixer, beat eggs, sour cream. Add beer mixture to egg mixture and beat to combine. Add flour mixture and beat briefly on slow speed. Using rubber spatula, fold batter until completely combined. Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Bake until tester comes out clean about 35 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then remove to cool completely.

Bring cream to simmer. Remove from heat and add chopped chocolate and whisk until smooth. Chill until icing is spreadable (about 2 hours) be sure to stir frequently.

Place 1 layer on plate. Spread 2/3 cup over, top with 2nd layer and 2/3 cup icing. Top with the last layer and spread remaining icing over top and sides.