Decadent Chocolate Guinness Mini Cakes with Baileys Buttercream: The Ultimate St. Patrick’s Day Dessert
Prepare to indulge in a dessert that’s truly a match made in culinary heaven: Chocolate Guinness Mini Cakes with Baileys Buttercream. These exquisite mini cakes are not just a treat for the eyes, but a symphony of flavors that promises to be the crowning glory of your St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Each bite delivers a decadently rich and intensely moist chocolate cake, infused with the distinctive notes of Guinness stout, perfectly complemented by a light, creamy, and subtly boozy Baileys Irish Cream buttercream. They embody the spirit of Irish celebration in every delicious morsel, making them an essential addition to any festive menu.
If your heart beats for irresistible Irish-inspired desserts, you absolutely must add these to your baking repertoire. And while you’re exploring festive treats, don’t miss out on another crowd-pleaser that combines classic Irish cream with a refreshing twist: the delightful Baileys Mint Chocolate Chip Dip!
Why Guinness and Baileys Create the Perfect Dessert Pairing
My culinary journey often takes unexpected turns, especially around festive holidays like St. Patrick’s Day. This year, armed with a 12-pack of Guinness and a bottle of Baileys – ingredients not typically found in my liquor cabinet – I was determined to put them to good use. And what better way to utilize these iconic Irish spirits than in a show-stopping dessert? The combination of Guinness and chocolate is a well-loved classic, with the stout’s malty, slightly bitter notes enhancing the depth and richness of cocoa. The dark, robust character of Guinness not only adds a unique flavor dimension but also contributes significantly to the incredibly moist texture of the cake. It reacts with the baking soda, creating a tender crumb that melts in your mouth, while its distinctive flavor adds an unexpected depth that elevates the chocolate to new heights.
Adding Baileys Irish Cream to the mix elevates this pairing even further, introducing a velvety sweetness and a hint of coffee and vanilla that perfectly marries with both the chocolate and the Guinness. The Baileys buttercream provides a luxurious contrast – a light, airy, and creamy frosting with that unmistakable Irish cream liqueur warmth. This creates a harmonious balance, where the richness of the cake is beautifully cut by the sweetness and subtle kick of the frosting. Together, they create a dessert experience that is both sophisticated and deeply comforting, ideal for celebrating Irish heritage or simply indulging in a truly special treat. It’s truly a match made in heaven, resulting in these magnificent Chocolate Guinness Mini Cakes with Baileys Buttercream.
An Unforgettable Hit: From My Kitchen to a St. Patrick’s Day Bake Sale Sensation
I decided to bake these delightful mini cakes on a Friday, primarily so that after capturing their beauty with my camera, my husband could take them to the local Moose Lodge. This strategy ensured I wouldn’t be left alone with 16 tempting treats staring back at me. And what a brilliant decision it turned out to be! The feedback was instantaneous and overwhelmingly positive. People raved about their exquisite taste and moist texture, commenting on the perfect balance of flavors and the delightful individual portions. In fact, their popularity soared so quickly that I was even asked to bake a fresh batch for their upcoming St. Patrick’s Day bake sale. The first batch vanished in less than two minutes – a true testament to their irresistible charm and widespread appeal! Such enthusiastic reception is incredibly rewarding for any baker, and let’s just say, my thighs will be thanking me later for sharing them with such eager enthusiasts.
This experience truly highlighted the universal appeal of these cakes. They are more than just a dessert; they are a conversation starter, a celebratory centerpiece, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The convenient mini size makes them perfect for any social gathering, allowing guests to easily enjoy a decadent treat without the fuss of slicing a large cake. Whether you’re hosting a grand party or simply looking for a special treat to share, these Chocolate Guinness Mini Cakes with Baileys Buttercream are sure to leave a lasting impression and gather rave reviews from everyone lucky enough to taste them.
Embracing the Spirit of St. Patrick’s Day: Festive Feasts and Family Fun
The upcoming St. Patrick’s Day weekend promises to be a vibrant celebration, full of joy and cherished moments. My neighbors and I are planning a spirited outing – perhaps not quite “party like we’re 21 again,” but certainly aiming for some relaxed fun, maybe lasting until 10 PM, which for this rockstar mom, is quite the feat! The day will be filled with laughter, good food, lively music, and, of course, our signature homemade green beer. The sheer joy and camaraderie of St. Patrick’s Day festivities always make my heart happy. It’s a time to embrace Irish traditions, both old and new, and to share delicious moments with loved ones, celebrating the rich culture and vibrant spirit of Ireland.
In preparation for our much-anticipated Irish feast, I recently sourced some fantastic, high-quality spices online from Spices Inc. (This isn’t a sponsored mention; I simply had an amazing experience with their exceptional quality products and incredibly fast shipping!). I’m particularly excited to try a new corned beef recipe this year, aiming for the most tender and flavorful result yet. With one of my dearest girlfriends and her boys visiting on the 17th, I’m going all out to prepare an authentic and memorable Irish dinner. Our menu will feature classic, slow-cooked corned beef, tender potatoes, flavorful steamed cabbage, these exquisite Chocolate Guinness Mini Cakes with Baileys Buttercream for a sweet ending, and for the adults, our signature homemade green beer to wash it all down. For those wondering about “homemade green beer,” it’s our simple, yet effective, tradition of adding a few drops of green food coloring into our favorite brews – because sometimes, classy means keeping it fun and delightfully festive!
Amidst all the holiday preparations, there’s also a special movie date planned that fills my heart with anticipation. I’ve promised a certain little princess a magical trip to the cinema to see Beauty and the Beast. She’s been eagerly anticipating this day since she first saw the trailer, meticulously picking out a brand-new outfit complete with a shimmering Belle cape. Her excitement is palpable as she counts down the days, and this mama is equally thrilled to share such a classic princess movie experience with my own little princess, creating beautiful memories together.
From Layer Cake Dream to Mini Cake Reality: The Journey of This Recipe
Initially, my vision for this recipe was a grand, majestic layer cake, a towering testament to festive baking. However, as often happens in the creative process, the idea of adorable mini cakes sounded far more appealing and fitting for a festive, shareable treat. Mini cakes offer individual portions, making them perfect for parties, easy to serve, and delightfully charming. This decision, however, came with a minor hiccup. I must sincerely apologize, as this is a first for my blog, but I seem to have misplaced a few crucial process shots! I had diligently taken photos of the beautifully baked sheet cake before cutting out the rounds, and then images showing the neat little circles perfectly cut. Unfortunately, amidst shooting two other recipes that same busy weekend, these valuable shots have vanished. So, for now, you’ll have to use your imagination and picture a beautifully baked sheet cake, followed by neat little circles being cut out – a crucial step that transforms a simple cake into charming mini delights.
This particular recipe marked my very first attempt at baking a sheet cake, a format I typically shy away from. I confess, I was quite nervous! I found myself constantly checking the oven, minute by minute, just to ensure the batter wasn’t spilling over the edges. My approach involved taking a trusted layer cake recipe and making careful, calculated adjustments to adapt it for a sheet pan, a task that felt like walking a culinary tightrope. The thought of a potential overflow and the subsequent daunting task of scraping a burnt, sticky mess from the bottom of my oven certainly induced some nervous sweats! But I persevered, meticulously following my adjusted recipe, and I’m thrilled to report that it worked flawlessly. The good news for you is that you can now confidently follow this tried-and-tested recipe without any of those worries, saving you from a dreaded Sunday afternoon of oven cleaning and allowing you to simply enjoy your delicious creations.
Simple Assembly, Spectacular Results: Crafting Your Mini Masterpieces
Once your Guinness chocolate cake is perfectly baked and cooled, the assembly process for these mini masterpieces is surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding. The first step involves using a circular cutter of approximately 2 1/2 inches to create uniform rounds from your sheet cake. This ensures each mini cake is perfectly portioned and aesthetically pleasing. Then, each round is carefully sliced in half horizontally, forming the delicate layers for your mini cakes. While the cake cools, you can whip up the dreamy Baileys buttercream – a process that takes mere minutes. This rich, creamy frosting is made with simple ingredients like softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and a generous splash of Baileys Irish Cream. Seriously, what’s not to love about that combination? The buttercream alone is so tempting, with its velvety texture and subtle boozy notes, you’ll find yourself wanting to dig in with a spoon straight from the bowl!
Assembling the Chocolate Guinness Mini Cakes with Baileys Buttercream couldn’t be easier, yet the results are decadently delicious and visually appealing. Pipe or spread a generous dollop of the luscious Baileys buttercream onto the bottom half of each mini cake, ensuring it’s evenly covered right to the edges. Then, gently place the top half of the mini cake over the buttercream filling, creating a perfect sandwich. For a final flourish, add another small dollop of frosting to the top, creating a delightful peak or swirl that invites a bite. To complete the festive look, I adorned mine with vibrant green sprinkles, scattering them like tiny emerald jewels, and topped each with a charming little gold coin. Although I searched high and low for chocolate gold coins, simple plastic ones still add that perfect touch of St. Patrick’s Day charm and a playful nod to Irish folklore.
The Best St. Patrick’s Day Recipe on the Blog? Absolutely!
I am confident in declaring these Chocolate Guinness Mini Cakes with Baileys Buttercream my absolute favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipe on the entire blog. As a dedicated lover of all things chocolate and buttercream, this recipe checks every single box, exceeding expectations with every bite. The cakes themselves are wonderfully moist, boasting an extra-rich chocolate flavor that is deeply satisfying, with the subtle maltiness of Guinness adding an intriguing complexity. The Baileys buttercream isn’t just frosting; it’s literally the “icing on the cake,” providing a luxurious, creamy, and perfectly balanced counterpoint to the rich cake, with its signature Irish Cream warmth. Furthermore, their mini size makes them incredibly adorable, easy to handle, and perfect for individual servings, ensuring they’re a guaranteed hit at any gathering. From their stunning appearance to their unforgettable taste, these mini cakes are truly a masterpiece worth celebrating and sharing.
Chocolate Guinness Mini Cakes with Baileys Buttercream
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Author: Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Yields: 16 servings
Guinness and Baileys unite in these Chocolate Guinness Mini Cakes with Baileys Buttercream. Decadently moist and rich, they are the perfect ending to your St. Patrick’s Day festivities or any celebration!
Ingredients
For the Guinness Chocolate Cake
- 3 1/2 cups cake flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup canola oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup hot coffee
- 1 cup Guinness Stout, room temperature
For the Baileys Buttercream
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup Baileys Irish Cream
- Green sprinkles for decoration (optional)
- Small gold coins for decoration (optional)
Instructions
Guinness Chocolate Cake Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a large jelly roll pan (approximately 12×17 inches) with cooking spray, then line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the cake flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk briefly to combine thoroughly, then set aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the granulated sugar, sour cream, canola oil, large eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- With the mixer on low speed, very slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, a little bit at a time, until it is just fully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a dry cake.
- Gently fold in 1/4 cup of hot coffee, followed by 1/2 cup of room-temperature Guinness stout. Repeat this process: add another 1/4 cup of hot coffee and the remaining 1/2 cup of Guinness. Fold gently until everything is combined and the batter is smooth, ensuring no dry spots remain.
- Pour the cake batter evenly into the prepared jelly roll pan. Spread it smoothly with an offset spatula. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before proceeding. This step is crucial for easy handling and clean cuts.
- Once completely cool, use a 2 1/2-inch circular cookie cutter to cut out individual rounds from the sheet cake. You should yield approximately 16 mini cake rounds.
- Carefully slice each mini cake round horizontally in half, creating two thinner layers per mini cake.
Baileys Buttercream Preparation
- In the clean bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the softened unsalted butter on medium-high speed until it becomes light and fluffy, usually about 5 minutes. This creates a beautifully airy base for the buttercream.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar to the whipped butter, starting on low speed to avoid a cloud of sugar, then increasing to medium until fully combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Slowly pour in the Baileys Irish Cream and whip for an additional 2 minutes until the buttercream is incredibly smooth, creamy, and wonderfully light.
- Transfer half of the prepared Baileys buttercream into a pastry bag fitted with a 2D star tip (or your preferred decorative tip) for easy application.
To Assemble the Mini Cakes
- Take the bottom half of a mini cake round. Using a spoon or the pastry bag, place about 1 1/2 tablespoons of Baileys buttercream onto it, spreading it out evenly to cover the entire surface.
- Gently place the top half of the mini cake round over the buttercream filling, pressing lightly to secure.
- Using the pastry bag, dollop a small amount of buttercream frosting on top of each assembled mini cake for a decorative finish.
- Garnish with green sprinkles and a small gold coin, if desired, to enhance the festive St. Patrick’s Day theme.
Chef’s Notes & Tips
*Don’t discard any leftover cake scraps after cutting your rounds! I found myself with a good amount of cake, which I crumbled, mixed with extra Baileys buttercream and a touch of peppermint extract, then dipped in melted chocolate to create delicious Mint Chocolate Cake Balls. A perfect way to minimize waste and enjoy another treat!
*For those concerned about the alcohol content, rest assured there are easy substitutions. While a significant portion of the alcohol in Guinness will bake off during the cooking process, leaving only a minimal amount, you can completely substitute the stout with an equal measure of strong brewed coffee or even water if you prefer a non-alcoholic version. I cannot provide an exact measurement of the remaining alcohol, so please use your own discretion when serving these to anyone under 21. The goal is to avoid over-baking the cakes, which would result in a dry, flavorless dessert, regardless of the liquid used. As for the rich Baileys buttercream frosting, you can easily substitute the Baileys Irish Cream with milk or cream for a kid-friendly version. I occasionally let my kids have a taste, but every family’s approach to this differs, so please make the best decision for yours.
Category: Dessert, St. Patrick’s Day, Cakes
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 mini cake (16 servings total)
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 306 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 15 g | 23% | |
Saturated Fat 5 g | 25% | |
Cholesterol 44 mg | 15% | |
Sodium 93 mg | 4% | |
Total Carbohydrates 40 g | 13% | |
Dietary Fiber 1 g | 4% | |
Sugars 28 g | ||
Protein 2 g | 4% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Tips for Success: Baking Your Mini Cakes with Confidence
Please, don’t be intimidated by the idea of creating these layered mini cakes. I assure you, they are incredibly straightforward to put together, even if you’re not a seasoned baker. The process is genuinely simple: you bake the sheet cake, cut out neat rounds, carefully slice each round horizontally to create two layers, generously spread on that irresistible Baileys buttercream, and then gently place the top layer back on, finishing with a charming dollop of more buttercream. Literally, that’s all there is to it! If I, someone who never attended a formal baking school – which is probably blatantly obvious from my casual approach – can nail this combination of flavors and textures, then you absolutely can too. My success with this recipe is a testament to its approachable nature, proving that delicious and impressive results are within reach for everyone, regardless of their baking experience.
For those who might be concerned about the alcohol content in the cakes, rest assured there are easy and effective substitutions. While a significant portion of the alcohol in Guinness will bake off during the cooking process, leaving only a minimal amount, you can completely substitute the stout with an equal measure of strong brewed coffee or even water if you prefer a non-alcoholic version. The coffee will add a lovely depth of flavor that complements the chocolate beautifully. I cannot provide an exact measurement of the remaining alcohol content, so please use your own discretion when serving these to anyone under 21. The primary goal is always to avoid over-baking the cakes, which would result in a dry, flavorless dessert, regardless of the liquid used. As for the rich Baileys buttercream frosting, you can easily substitute the Baileys Irish Cream with milk or cream for a kid-friendly version that maintains a wonderfully creamy texture. I occasionally let my kids have a taste, but I’m certainly not vying for any “mom of the year” awards, so please do what you believe is best and safest for your own family.
Complete Your St. Patrick’s Day Feast with More Irish-Inspired Delights
Planning a full St. Patrick’s Day menu that truly captures the festive spirit? I’ve got your back with a collection of my favorite Irish-inspired recipes! Beyond these incredible Chocolate Guinness Mini Cakes, I highly recommend exploring some of my other festive delights. For a savory main course that practically cooks itself and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, try my Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage. If you’re looking for another delightful Baileys treat that’s perfect for sharing, the creamy Baileys Mint Chocolate Chip Dip is always a hit. For a fun, refreshing, and vibrant dessert that both kids and adults will adore, don’t miss the cooling Shamrock Shake Popsicles. And for those who enjoy a bit more bold, pub-inspired flavor, consider my indulgent Irish Car Bomb Burger and the intensely rich Irish Car Bomb Brownies, packed with deep, complex flavors. With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Friday this year, it’s the perfect excuse for an extended celebration – PAR-TAY! Let’s make this year’s festivities truly unforgettable with a table full of Irish cheer and unforgettable flavors.
