I made my first Guinness Cake 3 years ago for my husband, brother and Father. My brother and I visited our Dad in Detroit, and the cake never quite made it. I ate it all myself. I can be wicked sometimes… but really, some things are just too good to share.
My Irish friend made me my first Irish Guinness cake after my third son was born. I had given birth naturally, and this cake, she said, was the perfect food to help a nursing Mom get her strength back. In Ireland, when you give blood, and after certain surgeries, Guinness is offered, because of its high iron content. Guinness is also bursting with B vitamins, flavonoids (antioxidants) that are better than vitamins C and E keeping bad LDL cholesterol from clogging arteries. A study at the University of Wisconsin Coronary Thrombosis Research and Vascular Biology Laboratory found that Guinness proved to be about twice as effective at preventing the blood platelets from clumping and forming the kind of clot that can cause a heart attack. So, with this news, this makes a Guinness Cake healthier than my non-white flour snickerdoodles.
At 4.2 percent, Guinness is lower in alcohol than most beers, matching Coors Light. Guinness is also lower in carbohydrates and calories than most beers, low-fat milk and orange juice. I drank some of this rich dark stout straight from the tap in Irish pubs, and never once considered this thick beer light, but so it is. So, indulge yourself in this “healthy” recipe for Irish Guinness cake. I’m making one today… I promise to share…. maybe I better double this recipe.
- 8 oz soft butter
- 8 oz soft brown sugar
- 4 eggs
- 10 oz plain flour
- 2 level teaspoon mixed spice (think pumpkin pie spices)
- 8 oz raisins
- 8 oz golden raisins
- 8 oz walnuts
- 1 bottle of Guinness
- Pour just enough Guinness over dried fruit to cover. Let soak overnight. (f you’re really thirsty hungry, skip this step, and just move on.)
- Cut a piece of parchment paper to line the sides and bottom of an 7″ pan.
- Preheat over to 325 degrees.
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Gradually beat in the eggs, one at a time.
- Fold in the flour and mixed spice. (Do this by hand.)
- Drain fruit, reserving the beer, and add fruit and walnuts to the mix, folding in throughly.
- Stir in 4 tablespoons of Guinness and mix to a soft dropping consistency (you may need to add more Guinness if not soft enough).
- Turn into prepared 7 inch tin. Bake 325f for 1 hour and then reduce heat to 300f and cook for another 1.5 hours.
- Allow cake to cool in pan.
- Remove cake from pan and prick base.
- This is my favorite part… Spoon remaining Guinness over the cake every hour or so.
- Store the cake for a week before cutting. Yeah… right!
Whoa, nelly! That sounds good. I really don’t enjoy alcohol very much, but I have enjoyed a Guinness or two in my day. It’s really more like food than drink, really.
I eat it purely for its nutritional value…
Oooh, my mouth is watering. That cake looks so luscious and decadent. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
wow, yum. we get to drink Guiness during the (Irish) show I’m doing, and just last week I learned that it was “lite” but now it helps prevent blood clots? It’s the wonder beer!!! (and just about the only beer I’ll actually drink)
mmm. this will help my production too
Wow you really have to plan ahead to make that eh?
Sounds like my kind of cake. And the froth will stay right to the end
I can remember when the advertising slogan for Guinness (in England at any rate) was “Guinness is good for you!” It seems that may have been true all along.
Ooohhhh… that does sound yummy. I drink Guinness sometimes. I like it but never remember it when I’m ordering…
Hmmm….. maybe there’s some cake in my future?
Great TT as usual!
Now that sounds positively yummy. Thanks for sharing. Happy T13!
Good for you! You didn’t drink all the Guinness and made that cake you said you would. Yumm! Now, if it just had bacon in it.
I never would have thought of Guinness beer as being light. That pic you posted looks might delicious!
I want that! Thanks for the recipe. Looks wonderful.
Oooooo this sounds wonderful!!!! I may have to whip this one up for Hubby one of these days.
Happy Th13
I’ ve never heard of such a thing before. But now you know I need to try it!
It looks totally yummy….and man am I hungry!! Happy TT.
Thanks Susie! I just printed off your recipe…
Have a great week and fun St. Patty’s day.
oh yummy…i might have to make this!! yummy!!!
xoxo
My recipe would be limited to BUY IT!
I don’t cook. It is a disaster when I do. Things catch fire, explode, that sort of thing.
SJR
The Pink Flamingo
That sounds delish, and definitely brings me back to my Ireland days–woohoo! Happy TT, and St. Patrick’s Day!
sounds delish. i may have to make this for my favorite irish friend. i usually bake him a carrot cake for st pat’s (very healthy you know… ha ha) but this sounds yummy!
that looks yummy! i’ll have to try it out sometime.
Thank you for sharing the wonderful recipe! I’ll try it.
A recipe with Guiness, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! Thanks for sharing
This is great! I’ve never heard of Guinness Cake before so was intrigued. Will give this a go as it looks and sounds yummy
I love how you manage to turn recipes into T-13s! This sounds tasty indeed.
Hugs and blessings,
That sounds delicious!!! I think I’ll make it this weekend to go with the boiled dinner, thanks!
Amazing recipe.
Can I do it without the nuts I wonder (I’m allergic.)?
That sounds delicious! I will have to try to make it. Happy TT
Wow, I can’t wait to try this! I think I’ll make it tonight. I never really need a reason to buy Guinness, but this is a good reason to stock up on it! Happy TT!
I never knew all of that about Guinness and have never tried it since I don’t like beer in general, but you’ve convinced me. And if nothing else I’ve got to give Guinness cake a try.
Happy TT
~X
I’m not a beer lover (my body only rents it as they say and…oh well NEVER mind)
It does look yummy though. I may try it! After all I like Le Cellier’s (at World Disney World Epcot) Cheese soup which has beer in it….
Smiles,
Holly
That sounds very yummy… I’m going to have to try it out. Happy TT!
The one thing I miss most now that I can no longer consume wheat products is beer!!! And to know I’m missing beer cake too? It’s almost too much to handle.
That looks and sounds soooo good!!! I should get hubby to make it
Just in time for St. Paddy’s Day!
Never heard of Guiness Cake’ very cool!
That cake looks very delicious!!! We will definitely be trying it in the Brownstone house! Thanks for sharing a great recipe!
Guess what I will be baking this St. Patrick’s Day? I love Guiness and now I have even more reason to justify it – it’s good for me!
Delighted to find your recipe for Guiness Cake. Was specially requested to make this particular one this year as it is an old family favourite which I used to make quite regularly when my kids were young. Your recipe compares to the one I used to use but of course I had lost it. So thanks to you we will be able to enjoy our cake this Christmas and a couple of bottles of Guiness also.