Make this unique Guinness Chocolate Cake for a tender and velvety dessert that isn't overly sweet. Perfect for chocolate lovers, this cake is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Adding Guinness gives your cake a rich complexity and satisfying texture. So easy to make in the slow cooker, this simple dessert is perfect for special occasions, birthdays, or any time you're craving something satisfying and delicious!
Jump to:
- 🩵 About This Recipe
- What readers are saying...
- 🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- 🔪 Let's Make Guinness Chocolate Cake!
- 💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- ❔ FAQs
- 📝 Substitutions and Variations
- 🥡 Storage and Reheating
- 🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
- 😋 More Slow Cooker Dessert Recipes You'll Love
- 📋 Recipe Card
- 💬 Reviews and Comments
🩵 About This Recipe
Gooey, chocolatey, and so decadent, this amazing slow cooker dessert uses boxed cake mix for a super easy treat!
What makes this cake different from the usual chocolate cake is the Guinness beer. I like to use beer in my recipes from time to time--my Crock Pot Chicken Thighs in Honey Beer Sauce will practically melt in your mouth!
With a delicious homemade whipped cream, this is the perfect chocolate dessert for any special occasion (or just whenever your sweet tooth acts up!)
What readers are saying...
This is just the recipe I was looking for - so chocolately and delicious! A keeper for sure!
- Christina
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- chocolate cake mix - any kind of chocolate cake mix works, so use your favorite!
- sour cream - makes the cake super moist and gives it an irresistible tangy flavor.
- vegetable oil
- eggs
- Guinness beer - gives the cake a unique and complex flavor and richness.
- heavy cream - combined with beer and sugar, heavy cream is easy to turn into a delicious homemade whipped topping.
- granulated sugar
🔪 Let's Make Guinness Chocolate Cake!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Mix Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix with sour cream, oil, eggs, and beer.
Transfer
Pour the batter into a greased slow cooker.
Slow Cook
Drape some paper towel over the top of the slow cooker, then cover and cook on low for 2 to 2 ½ hours.
Whip Cream
Beat heavy cream in a bowl until it thickens.
Finish Topping
Stir the sugar and Guinness into the whipped cream and serve with the finished cake.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Use a generous amount of baking spray or your oil of choice to coat the bottom and sides of the slow cooker. This will prevent sticking when you're trying to serve your cake!
- If you're worried about the cake breaking, loosen the sides with a silicon spatula or a knife and then lift the cake out of the slow cooker in two halves (or smaller pieces if it seems fragile).
- You can also serve this cake right out of the slow cooker. Scooping out portions like this might not look as pretty, but it will taste the same!
- Make the whipped cream just before serving for best results. You can prepare it ahead of time, but it will lose some of its fluff and light texture as it sits.
❔ FAQs
This is a variety of Irish stout that's known for its dark color, creamy consistency, and deep, rich flavor. It's perfect to pair with chocolate!
Be sure your slow cooker lid is properly in place to prevent your cake from coming out undercooked. You also may just need to cook it for longer. You'll know it's done when you give the slow cooker a little shake and there's no jiggle in the middle.
The primary flavor of this cake is definitely chocolate. The Guinness enhances and alters the flavor a bit, but for the most part you won't be able to pick it out.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- For an even richer taste, replace half the beer with your favorite coffee.
- Chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate can be mixed into the batter for even more chocolate flavor.
- A different stout or porter can be used instead of Guinness.
- Root beer or strong coffee are good substitutions for the Guinness if you want an alcohol-free version (though all of the actual alcohol cooks out as the cake slow cooks).
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
Don't worry if your batter seems thin--that's normal for this recipe! The beer thins it out but the slow cooker will still bake it fully.
🥡 Storage and Reheating
If you have leftovers, transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3 days or so. This cake also freezes fairly well and can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 months. You can refrigerate leftover whipped cream for a day or so--give it a good whisk before serving again.
To reheat leftovers, microwave for 15 to 20 seconds (or until heated through). If reheating from frozen, allow the cake to thaw in the fridge first.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this Guinness chocolate cake recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
If you're looking to make this even more decadent, top with ice cream, cherry pie filling or maraschino cherries, or a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Some chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder and powdered sugar are also delicious!
😋 More Slow Cooker Dessert Recipes You'll Love
- Crockpot Apple Pie - A brand new way to make the classic nostalgic dessert.
- Slow Cooker Peach Crisp - Fans of sweet and fruity desserts will love this dish from Crunchy Creamy Sweet!
- Crockpot Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake - So simple to combine everything in the slow cooker for an autumnal treat.
- Slow Cooker Brownies - This recipe from Creme de la Crumb is another fantastic choice for chocolate lovers!
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Guinness Cake with Cake Mix
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📋 Recipe Card
Easy Crock Pot Guinness Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 15 ounces chocolate cake mix (1 box)
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup Guinness beer
For the whipped cream (optional):
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons Guinness beer
Instructions
For the cake:
- Place the cake mix in a medium bowl. Add the sour cream, vegetable oil, eggs, and Guinness. Mix well.15 ounces chocolate cake mix, ¼ cup sour cream, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 3 eggs, 1 cup Guinness beer
- Spray the slow cooker with a baking spray (or just coat with a little vegetable oil if you don't have baking spray). Add the batter to the slow cooker.
- Drape a paper towel on top of the crock pot and position the lid on top of it. Cook on low for 2 to 2 ½ hours (until the middle does not jiggle when you shake the slow cooker).
For the whipped cream (optional):
- Place the heavy cream in a medium bowl. Beat with a hand mixer until the cream begins to thicken.1 cup heavy cream
- Add the sugar and Guinness, and continue to beat until the cream is stiffened.4 tablespoons granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons Guinness beer
Notes
Prep Tips:
- Don't worry if the batter seems thin as you pour it into the crock pot, that's completely normal for this recipe.
- Make sure you spray the slow cooker generously with baking spray or lightly coat with oil to ensure the cake releases easily.
- When removing the cake, loosen the edges with a silicone spatula and lift it out in halves using a wide spatula or pancake flipper for less breakage.
- For best texture and flavor, make the whipped cream just before serving. It can be made a few hours ahead if needed, but will lose some of its fluff over time.
Variation Suggestions:
- For a coffee-chocolate twist, replace half of the Guinness with brewed coffee.
- Add a handful of chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate to the batter for an even richer flavor.
- If desired, swap the Guinness for a another stout or porter of your choice.
- You can make a non-alcoholic version using root beer or strong coffee instead of beer.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve warm right out of the slow cooker for a molten-style dessert.
- Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Add cherry pie filling, fresh cherries, or a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings or cocoa powder for a simple but elegant finish.
Storage Info for Leftovers:
- Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftover individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before serving for the best texture.
- Leftover whipped cream can be kept in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, though it may lose some volume-give it a quick whisk to revive it before serving.
- This cake also freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in March 2019 and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in November 2025.
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Beth says
How does it store in case there are leftovers?
Kristin says
Store the whipped cream in the fridge, for sure. The cake I would place in a dish covered with plastic wrap or an airtight container on the counter. Then when serving the leftovers, zap in the microwave for 10-45 seconds (depending on the amount of cake leftover) to warm it up, then top with the whipped cream. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you for making this recipe! These cakes look fabulous!
Baguio Restaurants by Mae says
Hmmmmmmmmm! The photos makes me hungry. Never thought that slow cooker can use to bake cakes. I love the fact that you mixed the beer to the cake now I wonder what would it taste like. Gonna make one for sure so that I would the answer. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Christina says
This is just the recipe I was looking for - so chocolately and delicious! A keeper for sure!
Lizet Flores de Bowen says
Your pictures are so mouth watering 😋 I didn't even know you could use the slow cooker for baking a cake 😱 I'll be trying it soon!
Eileen Kelly says
I am a huge fan of Guinness and cake! i absolutely love your recipe! The cake looks super moist and flavorful! I happen to have lots of Guinness in the house! This is a perfect cake for us to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day
reesa says
Oh wow! That looks decadent and gooey!!!! I would love to try!
Healing Tomato says
This chocolate cake is making me drool! I have never made cake in the slow cooker, so, I am glad I saw your recipe. It looks so delicious and really easy to make. I wouldn't want to share the cake with anyone, haha.