Gluten Free “Guinness” Cake with Bailey’s Buttercream – The Chocolate Stout Cake of Your Dreams
Imagine a cake that whispers sweet nothings of rich, dark chocolate with a hint of (gluten-free) stout so bold, it could tell tales of Irish folklore with each slice. Now, pair that with a Bailey’s buttercream so luxuriously creamy, it’s like finding the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. You’re going to love this gluten-free “Guinness” Cake with Bailey’s Buttercream!
Jump to Recipe
The gluten-free stout (I really love Glutenberg) lends a depth and richness to the chocolate that’s nothing short of revelatory, while the Bailey’s buttercream is the kind of happy ending that every dessert dreams of. Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, a special occasion, or just in need of a decadent treat, this gluten-free chocolate cake is to die for!
What Does a Gluten Free Guinness Cake Taste Like?
This gluten free cake, infused with stout beer, offers a profound chocolate taste with subtle undertones of coffee, giving it a complexity that is both robust and seductively smooth. Stout, with its roasty essence, enhances the chocolate’s intensity, creating a moist and tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
The Irish cream buttercream is the perfect counterpart—creamy, silky, and luxuriously buttery, with hints of whiskey, coffee, and vanilla melding seamlessly with the sweetness of the sugar. It’s like a cloud of boozy sweetness that complements the deep chocolate notes of the cake without overwhelming them. The buttercream adds a lightness and a whisper of Irish charm that makes each bite feel like a celebration.
How to Make a Gluten Free Version of the Beloved Guinness Cake with Bailey’s Buttercream
First step is to find a gluten free stout beer. There are several on the market with great roasty, chocolate flavors that are perfect in this gluten free chocolate cake recipe. Here’s what you need to make it:
- Gluten Free Flour Blend – I like Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1
- Sugar
- Dutch Process Cocoa Powder – Hershey’s special dark is what I used for this recipe
- Baking Soda & Powder + Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
- Extra Large Eggs
- Whole Milk
- Oil – I used organic canola
- Gluten Free Stout Beer – I used Glutenberg
- Pure Vanilla Extract
Is Guinness gluten free?
Guinness is a brew steeped in history and tradition, but when it comes to being gluten-free, Guinness is more “nay” than “yay.” Traditional Guinness, including its most famous variety, Guinness Draught, is brewed from barley, which is a gluten-containing grain. Barley is responsible for that rich, deep flavor and iconic dark color but, sadly, it’s off the menu for those of us navigating the gluten-free life.
Can you get gluten-free stout?
Absolutely, navigating the gluten-free landscape doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the deep, rich experience of a stout. The craft beer movement has brewed up some splendid gluten-free options that bring all the complexity and satisfaction of their barley-based cousins, minus the gluten.
Gluten-free stouts are typically made from alternative grains such as buckwheat, sorghum, rice, and sometimes corn. These grains don’t contain gluten, making them safe for those with celiac disease and those with gluten sensitivities. Brewers have become quite adept at using these alternatives to mimic the traditional flavors you’d expect from a stout—think roasted, malty, and sometimes chocolate or coffee notes, all without a speck of gluten in sight.
The rise of gluten-free brewing means more options on the shelves and taps, giving everyone a chance to enjoy a pint. Whether you’re in a specialty beer shop, a well-stocked grocery store, or even some bars, you’re increasingly likely to find a gluten-free stout that can hold its own against the traditional brews. So, while you might not be raising a glass of Guinness if you’re keeping gluten at bay, there’s no need to forgo the joy of a good stout.
Remember, though, not all “gluten-removed” beers are safe for everyone with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, as these beers are made with barley or wheat and then processed to remove gluten. If you’re highly sensitive, you might want to stick to beers that are brewed to be gluten-free from the start.
Is there gluten in Bailey’s?
Bailey’s Irish Cream does not list gluten among its ingredients, and many sources (including this one) consider it to be gluten-free.
Can kids eat chocolate stout cake with Bailey’s buttercream?
The charm of a stout cake with Bailey’s buttercream lies in its rich, adult flavors—the deep, malty notes of the stout and the creamy, boozy kick of Bailey’s. However, when it comes to sharing this indulgent dessert with the younger crowd, a few considerations come into play.
Firstly, the alcohol content: both the stout in the cake and the Bailey’s in the buttercream contain alcohol. While baking the cake might reduce some of the alcohol content due to evaporation, it’s unlikely to eliminate it completely. The Bailey’s buttercream, on the other hand, retains its alcohol content as it’s not cooked.
When it comes to kids, it’s generally advisable to keep their slices alcohol-free. If you’re keen on not leaving anyone out of the celebration, consider making a separate, alcohol-free version. You can substitute the stout with a non-alcoholic option or a similar dark, non-alcoholic brew for the cake. For the buttercream, opting for a vanilla or cream cheese frosting could provide a similarly rich and satisfying finish without the alcohol.
This gluten free chocolate cake is not just a dessert; it’s an indulgent nod to some of Ireland’s most beloved flavors, making it a perfect treat for celebrations, especially on St. Patrick’s Day, or whenever you crave a slice of chocolatey, boozy perfection.
More Gluten Free Irish Recipes to Try:
- The Unrivaled Charm of Irish Fifteens: A No-Bake Gluten-Free Dessert
- Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread for St. Paddy’s Day (or Any Day)
- A Delicious Gluten Free Irish Apple Cake – The Perfect Comfort Dessert
Did you make this gluten free “Guinness” Cake recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and star rating below (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) and post a picture and tag us on Instagram using the hashtags #agirldefloured #deflouredrecipes! Thank you!
Gluten-free Chocolate NOT Guinness Cake with Bailey’s Buttercream
Equipment
- 8" cake pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose gluten free flour blend
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum omit if your flour blend already has it
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅓ cup dutch process cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 extra large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup gluten-free stout beer
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Bailey’s Buttercream
- ¼ pound butter softened at room temperature 113g / ½ cup / 1 stick
- 3 cups of sifted powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons of Bailey’s Irish Cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch of fine sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease one 8-inch round cake pan with gluten-free cooking spray, line with parchment, and spray again with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Combine the sugar, flour, xanthan (if using), cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the eggs, milk, oil, beer and vanilla, and beat until smooth. The batter will be slightly runny.
- Pour the cake batter in the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to finish cooling completely.
- Make the frosting. Beat the butter with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, Bailey’s, vanilla and sea salt, and beat on low speed until it begins to become incorporated. If necessary, add additional Bailey’s one tiny splash at a time and beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Spread over cooled cake. Serve Immediately.
Nutrition
Thank you for helping support my small business! A Girl Defloured earns revenue in a few different ways; I have occasional sponsored post and I also earn an affiliate commission on the sales of products I link to— there are a few of those links in this post. The only items that I feature are those that I use on a regular basis and that I truly love. I earn a small commission on your purchase, but you don’t pay any more than retail price. This allows me to share my recipes with you!
I have had a lot of good cakes, and this really is one of the best. So perfect as dessert after dinner, and so amazing with coffee in the morning!
This cake is so rich and the flavors are amazing!!
I absolutely love these as cupcakes!!
WOW! This cake was DELICIOUS and SO easy to make! I doubled the recipe to make it a 2 layer cake because I had a crowd for St. Paddy’s Day dinner. I used King Arthur 1-1 GF flour (already has xanthum gum in it) and GF “Ghostfish Watchstander Stout” beer. I used Trader Joe’s “Vanilla Bean Paste” in the frosting instead of regular vanilla. The vanilla beans make the frosting look so pretty. Everyone loved it! Thank you, this recipe will be used again & again:)
Fantastic! Thank you for your comment. I’m so glad everyone loved it ☘️
Made this recipe this past weekend my Brewery Nyx’s gluten free stout beer. (Woman owned business, and the first dedicated gluten free brewery in Michigan!) My husband, who doesn’t have to eat gluten free like I do, LOVED it! We’re only a household of two, so I cut the remaining cake into thirds and wrapped each section in saran wrap and then placed them into a plastic resealable bag, and stuck them in the freezer. This cake will be a blessing on those days when we need something sweet, and I don’t have the energy to bake. Thanks for this great recipe!
Sounds fabulous! Thanks for sharing!