Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Chocolate Guinness Cake

I've made this many times for many occasions like my sister's 40th birthday party and St. Patty's Day. Yes, it has FOUR sticks of butter and a whole pint of beer in it. That's why its so darn good.

Cake:
2 cups Guinness Stout
2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups unsweetened dutch processed cocoa powder
4 cups all purpose flour
4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 large eggs
1 1/3 cups sour cream

Ganache:
2 cups whipping cream
1 pound bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, Butter three 8-inch round cake pans with 2-inch high sides, then line with parchment paper.

Bring stout and butter to simmer in saucepan over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Cool slightly.

Whisk flour sugar, baking soda and salt in large bowl.

In mixer beat eggs and sour cream and chocolate-stout mixture just to combine. Add flour mixture and beat briefly on low speed.

Divide between three pans and bake for 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes, turn out of pans, cool completely.

For Ganache:
Bring cream to simmer in saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chopped chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Refrigerate until spreadable, stirring frequently.

Assemble cake with ganache between the layers and poured over the top.

Published in Bon Appetit September 2002