Guinness Chocolate Brownies

Guinness chocolate brownies are incredibly rich, delicious, and chocolaty with a deep coffee-like flavor of Guinness beer. Topped with a fudgy chocolate ganache, these are also the best brownies for St. Patrick’s Day. 

three fudgy guinness chocolate brownies stacked on top of each other

Another way to use Guinness beer is in this Guinness French Onion Soup with brown sugar and white cheddar. For a different kind of dessert, try our Irish Mint Brownies with Irish cream frosting or this Mint Chocolate Chip Fudge flavored with white chocolate and mint extract.

Whether you are a beer lover, chocolate lover, or both, this Guinness chocolate brownies recipe is easy, fun, and super fudgy.

What did you make for St. Patrick’s Day last year? With a chewy and moist texture and chocolate ganache frosting, these scrumptious dessert cakes are irresistible to any chocolate lover.

Ingredients needed:

Brownie ingredients: 

  • Vegetable oil: You can use any oil you prefer.
  • Guinness stout beer
  • Sugar: White granulated sugar.
  • Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract.
  • Butter: Melted and at room temperature.
  • Eggs: Large eggs.
  • Flour: We used all-purpose flour, but you can use your favorite. 
  • Cocoa: We used Hershey’s dark cocoa.

Ganache ingredients:

  • Chocolate chips: We used semisweet chocolate chips.
  • Butter: We used salted butter.
  • Powdered sugar: Or confectioners’ sugar.
  • Guinness beer

four photos showing how to make guinness chocolate brownies

How to make Guinness chocolate brownies recipe?

  1. Preheat: To begin, set your oven to preheat at 350 degrees F. Grease a square baking pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper. 
  2. Combine: Meanwhile, mix the vanilla, sugar, beer, and oil in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add butter: Next, add the butter and mix until it is just combined before adding eggs and mixing again. 
  4. Add cocoa: After, mix the dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
  5. Mix: Immediately, pour chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. 
  6. Pour into pan: Pour brownie batter into the pan and even it out with a spatula. 
  7. Cook: Last, bake for approximately 35 to 38 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. Set aside to cool. 
  8. Make ganache: Using a large bowl, melt the butter, chips, and beer in 30 second increments, stirring with a whisk between microwaving. 
  9. Whisk: Once it is smooth, add the powdered sugar and whisk until it is smooth. 
  10. Spread: Then, spoon the ganache onto the top of the brownies and spread it evenly with a spatula. 
  11. Cut: After it cools completely, cut into bars. 
  12. Serve: Finally, serve with a glass of ice-cold milk.

sliced guinness chocolate brownies with one brownie on a serving spatula

Recipe variations:

  • Brown sugar: Feel free to substitute granulated white sugar with brown sugar.
  • Substitute: For fewer calories, you can also use a sugar substitute.
  • Espresso: Replace half the cocoa with espresso powder for a richer taste. 
  • Reduce: For more Guinness flavor, reduce the beer for 20 minutes on the stove on medium heat.
  • Flavors: Use butterscotch or peanut butter chips in the mix for a different flavor. 

How to serve:

These are best served slightly warm and are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. You can also use one of these ideas:

  • These go great with a glass of ice-cold milk.
  • Add a dollop of whipped cream on top.
  • Cream cheese frosting would be great instead of ganache.
  • This is perfect for dessert with any meal or just for a snack. 
  • Put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. 

three guinness chocolate brownies stacked on top of each other next to a guinness beer

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Guinness draught and Guinness stout?

The stout has a sharper flavor, more like the typical canned or bottled beer you are probably used to drinking.

The carbonization makes it a crisper flavor. The draught is creamier and richer with a sweet, coffee-like flavor. 

Can I use nonalcoholic beer with this recipe?

Some recipes require alcohol in the ingredients for the cooking process, but this Guinness brownies recipe is not one of them.

In fact, they make an alcohol-free beer called Guinness Zero Draught that will work just fine. 

Is it okay to substitute cocoa powder with chocolate chips or melts?

The best substitute for cocoa powder is unsweetened chocolate. Semi-sweet chocolate chips or melts are not unsweetened so they may make your recipe too sweet. However, you can reduce the amount of sugar to even it out. 

guinness chocolate brownies topped with chocolate ganache stacked on top of each other

How to store leftovers:

  • Store: Wrap these tightly in plastic or aluminum foil before storing them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh and moist for several days in the refrigerator.
  • Freeze: These plastic-wrapped brownies will stay fresh in the freezer in a freezer bag for up to three months.
  • Thaw: Put these in the fridge overnight to thaw. 
  • Reheat: No need to reheat. Serve at room temperature.  

More recipes for St. Patrick’s Day:

Cooking tips:

  • For more chocolate flavor, use a pint of Guinness draught instead of stout. 
  • The beer should be at room temperature. Pour it into a small bowl beforehand so the foam settles. 
  • You could also spoon off the foam when you measure it. 
  • Instead of using the microwave, you could melt the chocolate in a double boiler or a small saucepan on the stovetop. 
  • Grease the pan and add parchment paper for easier removal.
  • Only beat the eggs until they foam for the moistest brownies. 
  • Sift the dry ingredients together for a fluffier brownie.
  • Let them cool before cutting for a clean cut. 

 

three fudgy guinness chocolate brownies stacked on top of each other

Guinness Chocolate Brownies

Catalina Castravet
Guinness chocolate brownies are incredibly rich, delicious, and chocolaty with a deep coffee-like flavor of Guinness beer.
5 from 12 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 brownies
Calories 545 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Brownies:

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/3 cup Guinness Stout beer
  • 2 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup salted butter melted and cooled
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cup flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Ganache:

  • 10 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 4 tbsp salted butter
  • 4 tbsp Guinness Stout beer
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease a 9×9 square baking pan and line it with parchment paper so it has handles on two opposite sides.
  • In a large bowl, mix together oil, beer, sugar, and vanilla extract.
    pouring Guinness beer in a large mixing bowl
  • Next, add butter and mix until well combined.
  • Add eggs and mix until well combined.
    adding eggs to a beer batter mix
  • In a medium bowl whisk flour and cocoa powder and slowly add the mixture to the egg mixture. Stir until combined.
    stirring cocoa powder in a mixing bowl
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
  • Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a just few crumbs. Allow brownies to fully cool.

Ganache:

  • Place chocolate chips, butter, and beer into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until for 30 seconds. Stir well and microwave for 30 seconds more. Repeat until smooth.
  • Add powdered sugar and whisk until smooth, and fully combined.
  • Pour ganache over brownies and spread into an even layer. Chill to set.
    topping guinness chocolate brownies with chocolate ganache
  • Cut into bars and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 545kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 7gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 118mgPotassium: 297mgFiber: 5gSugar: 55gVitamin A: 444IUCalcium: 40mgIron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

easy guinness chocolate brownies pin

 

5 from 12 votes

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21 Comments

  1. My husband had asked me to make some different desserts for him. He’s a dessertaholic. I can’t go wrong with Guinness and chocolate! Sounds delicious!

  2. These Guinness Chocolate Brownies look delicious. I once made Guinness cupcakes and they were good, so these must be delicious.5 stars

  3. Oh heavens, I am shocked how wonderful these sound! What a great way to use this deeply flavored beer.

  4. Brownies are my favorite! I have made a Guinness chocolate cake before and it was delicious. I’ll have to make these soon!5 stars

  5. What an interesting recipe! I would love to give this a try and see what these taste like. So fun to serve this to guests.

  6. This Guinness Chocolate Brownies turned out great! The Guinness beer deepened the chocolate taste, making the brownies rich, moist, and fudgy. They have a perfect balance of flavors and a deliciously indulgent texture.5 stars