Scarborough FoodFair: Chocolate Guinness Cake

According to my calculations, it was an absolute fluke that Kaston was not born on St. Patrick's Day. He has curly somewhat "red" hair, he loves Guinness, he loves the marshmallows in Lucky Charms (who doesn't?), he loves Jameson, and he loves Ireland...but the list could go on and on. In fact...he might just be a leprechaun.

And guess what? That leprechaun has a BIRTHDAY today! The big 2-2. Getting old he is. I was tempted to buy him a bag of Depends and some Denture Cream, but instead I decided to bake him a cake. I'm sure he would have enjoyed either.

The timing of this cake worked quite perfectly you see...Kaston adores Guinness so it made sense to make him a cake with Guinness IN it, but also...this is the perfect St. Patty's Day treat. Oh and did I mention I nabbed a bite of this thing and it's unbelievably delicious? Like my new favorite chocolate cake delicious. Which means...it's not only for birthdays or St. Patty's Day...it's also for random Wednesday afternoons...or Monday nights, breakfast on Tuesdays, midday meal on Thursdays, late night snack on Saturdays and brunch on Sundays. Nifty.

Chocolate Stout Cake...

adapted from Simply Recipes

Makes: one 8 or 9-inch cake Prep Time: 15 minutes Bake Time: 40-50 minutes Total Time: 1 hour

{Print Me}

Ingredients:

1 cup stout or porter beer (I used Guinness!)
10 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

for the icing:

1/2 stick butter, at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1-1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1. Gather the goods and preheat the oven to 350°. Grease an 8 or 9 inch springform pan and place a layer of parchment in the bottom.

2. A perfectly poured Guinness in a measuring cup? I should be a bartender. In a saucepan combine beer and butter over medium high heat until butter is melted.

3. Whisk in cocoa and both sugars. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Set aside.

4. With a mixer combine sour cream, eggs, and vanilla until very well combined.

5. Add egg mixture to butter/beer mixture and whisk together.

6. In a large bowl mix together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add chocolate mixture and whisk to combine. Pour into your prepared pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes.

7. While the cake is baking prepare the icing. With a mixer beat butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and beat for another minute. Slowly add powdered sugar until you end up with the sweetness and consistency that you want.