Chocolate Guinness Cake

Steps

Cake

1. 1

   For the cake, heat the oven to 350°F (180 °C) (175°C (350 °F)). Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line it with parchment paper.

2. 2

   In a large saucepan, combine the Guinness and unsalted butter. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and warm until the butter melts, then remove it from the heat.

3. 3

   Add the cocoa and superfine sugar to the warm Guinness mixture. Whisk until blended.

4. 4

   In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well.

5. 5

   Add the sour-cream mixture to the Guinness mixture and stir to combine.

6. 6

   Add the flour and baking soda. Whisk again until the batter is smooth.

7. 7

   Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the cake has risen and feels firm, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

   Start 45-minute timer
8. 8

   Place the pan on a wire rack and cool the cake completely in the pan.

Topping

9. 9

   For the topping, use a food processor or mix by hand to break up any lumps in the confectioners' sugar.

10. 10

    Add the room-temperature cream cheese and blend until smooth.

11. 11

    Add the heavy cream and mix until the topping is smooth and spreadable.

12. 12

    Remove the cooled cake from the pan and place it on a platter or cake stand.

13. 13

    Ice only the top of the cake, leaving the sides exposed, so the finished cake resembles a frothy pint of Guinness.