This was kind of an unexpected post, actually, so you may notice that there is only one photo of this cake, which isn't how it usually goes around here. Since it has been so dark and gloomy outside for the past few days, I just couldn't hold out any longer for nice natural light to take photos (or to eat the cake!), so I took a quick photo and decided to share this recipe with you anyway, because I have a feeling you, like me, have a thing for cake. Yep, I'm catching on quick. Before I chat about it though, I want to share the winner of the Taste of Home Baking book (along with those rich and chocolatey dipped brownies!). The winner of the giveaway is... Sarah {Songbird Sweets}: "...my favorite dessert is definitely chocolate peanut butter cupcakes…i just cant seem to resist them:-)" Congratulations, Sarah! I will be in touch with you via email! So, back to this decadent Chocolate Stout Cake with Whipped Vanilla Bean Frosting...it will be a short and sweet post, but wow, guys, I loved this cake. I've been seeing Chocolate Stout Cakes here and there on other blogs, and I've always been intrigued, but never tried it. Since International Stout Day is fast approaching, I figured I better get a move on. Okay, no, I just read that tonight, but that would have been impressive, no? This is a rich, dense and moist cake made with, among other things, dark beer or stout, such as Guinness. The beer really just heightens of the chocolate-ness that's going on and adds moisture to the cake, but I won't lie--the distinct Guinness flavour is definitely present, however unexpectedly appropriate. It just all works (and trust me, you don't need to be a beer drinker!). It did, however, lure my husband into trying it, and he was quite amazed. Just promise me you won't tell him there's sour cream in it? Don't ask. I decided to fill and frost it with my new(ish) favourite sweet frosting, the Whipped Vanilla Bean Frosting, rather than the popular chocolate frosting variety, simply because I love contrast in both taste and visual. Since this frosting (as you may recall) tastes like vanilla bean ice cream, all together this cake is kind of like a Guinness Ice Cream Float, and, although I've never had one, I'm pretty sure that's not a bad thing. Before I leave you with the recipe, I wanted to give you a save-the-date of sorts, for a fabulous giveaway I'll be posting about next week. As part of the giveaway prize, Bonnie Gordon College of Confectionary Arts (where it all began for me!) will be saving 2 spots in the upcoming 2-evening Holiday Truffles & Bonbons class on November 24th & 25th from 6:30pm-9:30pm for a winner and a friend to attend! I'm so excited for the future winner of this prize, truly. Anyone will be able to enter, however you would need to be available those evenings and able to attend the Toronto class. There will be more even more chocolate goodness added to the prize from Barry Callebaut (you know, those folks who produce all of the premium chocolate products I love to use in my recipes, including the extra dark cocoa powder I use in all of my chocolate cake, including this one!), so stay tuned for details. I'll be back with another recipe shortly, friends!
Chocolate Stout Layer Cake with Whipped Vanilla Bean Frosting {click to print} Yield: One 9-inch round two-layer cake--12-16 servings.
Cake Layers Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (12 fluid ounces) stout or dark beer (I used Guinness)
- 1 1/2 cups (340 grams/12 ounces/3 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1 cup sifted (115 grams/4 ounces) King Arthur Double-Dutch Dark Cocoa or Dutch-process cocoa (I use Cacao Barry Cocoa Powder - Extra Dark)
- 3 cups (360 grams/12.5 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 3 cups (600 grams/20.5 ounces) granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (12 grams/11.25 mL) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (8 grams) salt
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup ( 165 mL) sour cream, at room temperature
Method
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round pans (2" deep), line bottoms with parchment paper circles, then grease circles, dust with flour and tap out excess. Set aside.
2. Place the stout and butter in a large, heavy saucepan and heat on medium heat until the butter melts, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from the heat, and whisk in the sifted cocoa powder until smooth. Pour into a large heatproof measuring cup or bowl and let cool.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (flat beater), mix the eggs and sour cream on medium speed (I use #4 on KitchenAid) until well combined, about 3 minutes.
5. Add the cooled cocoa mixture, and mix on medium speed (I use #4 on KitchenAid) until combined, about 1 minute.
6. Add the dry ingredients slowly and combine on low-speed (I use #2 on KitchenAid) until blended, making sure to scrape the sides and bottom of bowl, and then mix for another minute.
7. Divide batter into prepared pans evenly. If possible, weigh the pans and batter with a kitchen scale for accuracy and even layers. If you do, each pan of batter should weigh ~1 kg/2.2 lbs. Place cake pans on middle oven rack side-by-side, but about 2" apart and bake until toothpick inserted into centre comes clean, about 35 minutes.
8. Let cakes cool on wire racks for ~10 minutes, loosen edges with knife or small palette knife, then gently remove from pans to cool completely. *Chocolate Stout Cake recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour
Whipped Vanilla Bean Frosting
Note: This is the same frosting recipe I often use, but I have modified the quantity to yield enough to fill and frost this cake.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 grams/2 cups/4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened and cut into cubes
- 3 3/4 cups sifted (600 grams/1 lb + 5 ounces) confectioners' sugar (icing, powdered)
- 4 tablespoons (60 mL) milk
- 1 vanilla bean, scraped
- 2 teaspoons (10 mL) pure vanilla extract -- I use Nielsen-Massey Vanillas 8-oz. Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- pinch of salt
Method
1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip butter for 8 minutes on medium speed (I use "4" on my KitchenAid). Butter will become very pale & creamy.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix on low speed for 1 minute, then on medium speed for 6 minutes. Frosting will be very light, creamy, and fluffy.
3. Best used right away (for ideal spreading consistency reasons).
4. You can eliminate the vanilla bean and use 4 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract.
5. This cake looks great on it's own, but you can always decorate with some of your favourite sprinkles! I personally love the classic Chocolate Crunchy Sprinkles, Rainbow Chocolate Balls, or even a white and gold medley like Frosted!
Good luck & enjoy!
