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Dark Chocolate Guinness Cake with Berries & Vanilla Whipped Cream

To make a triple (like I did) or quadruple layer cake, the recipe will need to be doubled. I froze the fourth layer for a quick dessert at another time.
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 cup Guinness beer
  • 1 stick butter = to 8 tablespoons
  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup dark cocoa I used Guittard with great results
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Vanilla Whipped Cream

  • 4 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar or less, depending on taste

Berry Topping

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 pounds sliced fresh strawberries reserve one cup with stems attached
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • For a double layer cake, grease two 9" cake pans with butter, line with parchment paper; grease top of parchment paper with butter too. (See note below for a triple layer cake).
  • In mixing bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda; set aside.
  • In small sauce pan, melt butter with Guinness on medium low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in sugar and cocoa powder until smooth.
  • In medium mixing bowl whisk together sour cream and eggs; stir in vanilla extract.
  • Once cooled, add Guinness mixture to sour cream mixture and whisk until smooth.
  • Slowly add flour mixture in three parts, and gently fold until just blended. Pour equal amounts in cake pans.
  • Bake for about 23 minutes, or until toothpick comes out dry when inserted in the middle. Let cool for about 15 minutes in pan, remove and cool on rack.
  • For whipped cream, add heavy cream to chilled mixing bowl. Beat until thickened, around 5 minutes. Add sugar and vanilla extract; beat until stiff peaks form.
  • Before assembly, first level cakes by slicing off rounded tops. Place first cake on cake platter; spread generous layer of whipped cream and top with sliced strawberries. Repeat with next layer. For top layer, create a pile of berries, adding sliced strawberries with stems for added appeal and color.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

To make a triple (like I did) or quadruple layer cake, the recipe will need to be doubled. I froze the fourth layer for a quick dessert at another time.
The recipe for the Guinness cake is the basic recipe from Nigella Lawson. It's very easy and delicious!