This cake has become my all time favorite.  It does have quite a bit of ingredients but after having a bite then another, it all becomes worth the effort.  And with a bottle of Guinness Beer added to the mix, literally.  Sign me up...

How to Make It:

Cake (Room Temperature for all Ingredients)

1 1/2 cup flour

1 cup dark cocoa powder

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 cup Stout Guinness Beer

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp espresso powder

1 cup unsalted butter -room temperature

1 1/2 cup sugar -white granulated 

3 eggs

1/2 cup mayonnaise

4 oz chopped dark chocolate 

Icing:

1 stick unsalted butter

1 1/2 cup of sugar

1 1/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder

1 1/2 cup  *heavy whipping cream *(need the fat to help icing to set)

1/4 cup sour cream

1 tsp instant coffee granules

2 tsp vanilla extract 

 

Instructions: 

Cake: Preheat oven to 325 degrees and prep 3, greased and lined 9 inch baking pans

Cream butter and sugar until light yellow and creamy in a stand mixer, scraping down the sides to ensure proper mixing.

Add in one egg at a time while continuing to mix, then sour cream

Sift together all dry ingredients in a large seperate bowl(Dry Ingredients), reserve chopped chocolate to fold in at the end

Mix espresso and stout together in a pourable container(Wet Ingredients)

Add Dry and Wet ingredients to stand mixer in batches until completely mixed then fold in chopped dark chocolate to batter 

Divide and pour into 3 round 9 inch baking pans that have been lined and buttered

Bake right away, then cool completely on a wire rack.  Never a good idea to decorate a wark cake! (I've tested this theory)

 

Icing: In a deep saucepan mix together sugar, cocoa powder and salt on medium heat.  This mixture will be grainy but it's ok.  Then add all the other ingredients in gradually until well combined. Continue to stir until glossy Do Not Boil! Turn down the heat if you have to.  Let cool to room temperature/spreadable