This is the cake that could define the word “lush”. Unlike traditional Chocolate Guinness cakes, which are also very tasty, by the way, this one does away with the idea that it has to exactly replicate the look of a pint of the dark stuff. Instead it has a thick, super yummy, creamy layer in the middle. Yes, “lush” is the word for it.

Serves: 10 – 12

Time: 75 – 90 mins + cooling

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

CAKE

250ml/9fl oz Guinness

250g/9oz unsalted butter, cubed

75g/2½oz cocoa powder

400g/14oz caster sugar

140ml/5oz soured cream

2 large eggs

1 tbsp vanilla extract

275g/9½oz plain flour

2½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

FILLING/TOPPING

350g/12oz full fat cream cheese

180g/6oz icing sugar

150ml/5½fl oz double cream

1 tsp vanilla extract and 1 tsp toffee or caramel extract/flavouring (optional, or choose other flavours)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 180C/Fan 160C/350F/Gas 4. Butter and line a circular 23cm/9” deep, loose bottomed cake tin.

2. Pour the Guinness into a large wide saucepan, add the cubed butter and heat until the butter has melted, then whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar.

3. Beat the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla extract then pour it into the beer mixture. Finally, sift in the flour and bicarb then whisk.

4. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 45 – 60 minutes. Leave to cool completely in the tin. (It’s quite a damp cake.)

5. When the cake is cold put it on a clean, flat surface and cut into two, horizontally. Put the lower half on a plate or serving board and set the other half aside while you make the filling.

6. Lightly whip the cream cheese until smooth then sift in the icing sugar and beat them both together. Add the double cream, vanilla extract and any other flavouring if using. Beat again to achieve the desired consistency.

7. Spoon or pipe half the filling onto the bottom cake, place the second layer on top and cover it with the remaining topping. Add any chosen decorations.

I hope you enjoy this lovely cake. If you want more cake recipes click this link, or have a look at my site for lots of other great recipes, both sweet and savoury.

Here are a few that I’d love you to try:

Coffee and Almond Crunch Cake