Inspired by the American boilermaker-like drink made with Guinness, Irish whiskey and Irish Cream, this Irish Whiskey Cream Cake is rich, moist and densely chocolate filled! (Jump directly to the recipe.)
[Editor’s note: Several people have commented that they were offended by the name of this recipe. The drink The Irish Car Bomb is an American drink create in 1979 that refers to the dropping of a shot of Irish cream & Irish whiskey into a glass of Guinness. It is similar to a boilermaker drink, with the term “car bomb” referring to the dropping of the shot glass into the beer glass, otherwise known as a bomb shot. I truly apologize if this name offends anyone and I have subsequently changed the name of the recipe]
“I think I’ve seen Jesus…” blasphemed a friend of mine, after he took a bite of my Irish Drunken Cake. Apparently the combination of Guinness, Irish Whiskey and Irish Cream combined in a layer cake form was a religious experience to him. That or he had run out of accolades for my desserts. Either way, I was happy to take the compliment, though I’m sure my more sensitive friends would be offended. Thankfully they were out of earshot when he said it.
Now, I’m not much of a drinking, something that perplexed many of friend and co-worker of mine. One Irish co-worker of mine at a temp job when I first moved to San Francisco was utterly confused when I mentioned to her that I didn’t really drink. “So what do you do for fun?” There was absolutely no irony in her question at all, as she was genuinely curious as to what I did for recreation. It seems the entire Irish culture revolves around going to the pub.
Now, if I could have found a drink like the Irish Car Bomb perhaps my life would have been different. Not that I could have ordered it with my Irish co-worker, as it’s strictly an American invention (try ordering the drink in Ireland, and you’ll either offend someone or just confuse the bartender). Of course I like those flavors even more in cake form, with the Guinness adding depth and moisture to the chocolate cake, while Irish Cream and Irish Whiskey laden whipped cream cheese frosting added just the right sweet tang to each fluffy frosting layer. Apparently my friend agreed. He had another slice immediately after finishing his first one.
Irish Drunken Cake, a chocolate Guinness cake with Irish whiskey and Irish cream
By Irvin Lin
Nigella Lawson popularized the Guinness Chocolate Cake but this Irish Drunken Cake takes it to a new level. I split the cake into four layers (don’t worry I give you instructions with photos on how to do that painlessly) but if you’re feeling lazy, just leave it as two layers and only make half the frosting. But trust me, this light and fluffy frosting is fabulous and you’ll want as much as possible of it so do try to split the cake layers if you can. It’s not too hard!
Radically adapted from a Simply Recipes which in turn was adapted from a Nigella Lawson recipe. Inspired by a recipe from First Prize Pies by Allison Kave.
Cake Batter
2 1/2 cups (350 g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
10 tablespoons (140 g or 1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter
1 bottle (11.5 oz or 1 1/2 cups) Guinness
3/4 cup (80 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated white sugar
1/2 cup (110 g) dark brown sugar
1/2 cup (115 g) Greek-style yogurt
2 large eggs
1/4 cup Irish whiskey
Frosting
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
16 oz (2 bricks) cream cheese, at room temperature
8 oz (1 tub) Mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
2 cups (230 g) powdered sugar, sifted
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoon Irish whiskey
3 tablespoons Irish cream
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Spray two 9-inch cake pans with cooking oil, then line the bottom of each pan with a round of parchment paper.
2. Place the flour, baking powder, baking soda and sea salt in a medium bowl. Using a balloon whisk, stir the dry ingredients together vigorously until well blended. Place the butter in a large pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Cook, stirring constantly, until the butter is melted. Turn the heat off and pour the Guinness into the butter, stirring to blend with a whisk. Add the cocoa powder and both sugars to the pot and whisk until blended in.
3. Measure the Greek-style yogurt into a glass measuring cup and add the eggs and Irish whiskey to it. Stir until the eggs and whiskey are incorporated and the entire mixture is smooth. Add the yogurt and eggs mixture to the pot with the chocolate Guinness mixture. Whisk to incorporate. Add all the dry ingredients to the batter and whisk until incorporated. Divide between the two prepared cake pans (if you have a scale, it’s roughly 750 grams of batter per pan). Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until the sides of the cake pull away from the pan and a toothpick inserted in the middle of each cake comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before inverting and letting cool on a wire rack completely to room temperature.
4. Once the cake layers have cooled completely (at least two hours or overnight if you can). Make the frosting by first whipping the cream until peaks form (you can use a stand mixer or do it by hand). Move the cream to another bowl (if you are using a stand mixer) and use the paddle attachment to beat the cream cheese, Mascarpone cheese and powdered sugar together until incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and beat until incorporated. Scoop the whipped cream back into the bowl and slowly (I “pulsed” the stand mixer on-and-off) beat the cream into the frosting. If you don’t have a stand mixer, use your hand to fold the whipped cream in with a large rubber spatula. Once the whipped cream is incorporated, scoop out about 1/3 of the frosting (it’s better to error on the smaller side so 1/4 to 1/3 of the frosting works, but you don’t need to be exact) and place it in the bowl that had the whipped cream. Add the Irish whiskey to the remaining 2/3rds of the frosting in the stand mixer bowl and beat slowly until incorporated. Fold (or gently stir) the Irish cream into the reserve 1/3 frosting in the separate bowl.
5. Once the frosting is made, assemble the cake by splitting the layers. Stick 8 toothpicks halfway up the side of one cake layer. Using the toothpicks as “guides” slice the cake layer horizontally into two layers each (resulting in two layers). I like to use a long serrated bread knife but use the longest and sharpest knife you have. Once the cake layer is split, use a thin cutting board, piece of plastic or stiff cardboard to slide the cake layers apart. Repeat with the other cake layer, resulting in four layers.
6. Place one layer on the serving plate or cake stand and scoop out 1/3 of the Irish whiskey flavored frosting on top of the layer. Spread the frosting to the edges and place a layer on top of the frosting. Repeat with 1/3 of the Irish whiskey frosting, spreading to the edge and place the third layer on top. Spread the remaining frosting on the third layer. If you find you don’t have enough frosting for the third layer, use some of the Irish cream flavor frosting, spreading to the edges of the cake. Add the final layer of the cake and spread all of the Irish Cream frosting on top, as if the cake had a frothy layer of beer foam on top. Serve immediately.
Makes 1 cake, serves 12-16 people, depending on how thin you slice the cake.
If you like this Irish Drunken Cake (a Guinness chocolate cake with Irish whiskey and Irish cream whipped cream cheese frosting), check out these other sweet and savory recipes that use Guinness from around the web:
Sprinkle Bakes‘ Guinness Pretzel Truffles
Closet Cooking‘s Bacon Guinness Chocolate Pancakes with Guinness Chocolate Syrup
Gimme Some Oven‘s Guinness Floats
Food Republic‘s Braised Beef Short Ribs With Guinness
The Messy Baker‘s Guinness Barbecue Sauce
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This cake looks so good. Love that icing!
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com says
Oh my goodness. This looks delicious! Irish cream in it makes it count perfectly as breakfast, right?!
Ryan says
Oh man, that looks great. That Nigella Lawson cake is probably my favorite cake of all time. Can’t wait to try this adaptation.
Joe says
Cake looks good。but the name is tasteless. Irish Car Bomb? Really?
WHO came up with that name? There is nothing clever about that kind of cultural stereotyping. Especially coming from a person who I assume has had to endure his share of inappropriate assumptions it surprises me that you would allow this. I’m not even going to address your statement about “the entire Irish Culture centered around going to the pub”. Not all Irish are heavy drinkers . Believe it or not some are non-drinkers.
Irvin says
Hi Joe,
I’m sorry that I offended you with my post. I was not the one that came up with the beer cocktail name and I certainly could see why it would be offensive. According to the Irish Car Bomb wikipedia page, Charles Oat of Wilson’s Saloon came up with it and it actually isn’t a reference to the car bombs in Ireland, but a reference to the way a shot glass of Irish cream is dropped into the glass – similar to a California Car Bomb or Canadian Car Bomb drink.
I am also fully aware that not all Irish are heavy drinkers. I said that with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek, but sometimes tone and humor is hard to come across in the written word. Again I apologize if you took that the wrong way!
Ann says
Even if the California Car Bomb and the Canadian Car Bomb are drinks (I can’t say I’ve ever heard of them, but that doesn’t mean much.), neither California nor Canada have a recent history of horrific, divisive car bombings in which hundreds of people were killed or injured. It doesn’t matter where the name comes from originally; it reinforces a harmful stereotype and is incredibly insensitive.
Irvin says
Hi Ann,
I completely agree with you and I apologize sincerely. It was never my intention to offend people nor was the naming of the cake malicious. I was just trying to explain where the name came from – a popular American drink and not something I had made up by myself.
As you can see, once it was brought to my attention, I went ahead and posted an editor’s note about the origin of the name and have changed the name of the cake in the post. I’ve also posted an apology on my Facebook page, where I addressed these concerns again. Again I’m sorry if you were offended.
k.airnsun says
You are a moron. An “Irish car bomb” is a cocktail! The cake tastes like the cocktail hahaha jesus! Some people are absurd!!!!
k.airnsun says
Don’t change the name for one idiot. So stupid. It’s an Irish car bomb!
Heatmood says
All right, get over yourselves! Its a recipe for a cocktail that has turned into a cake. Good Lord! Is Drunken Irish any less or more offensive??? This poor person has shared a recipe, call it whatever you want when it hits your table! Thanks for the great recipe and making it easy to find by name.
Former Bartender, Irishwoman, American, chef and school teacher,
Heather Moody
Anonymous says
I’m with you heather… Anne you need to get your panties in a bunch (or in your crotch) my gosh…. Get over yourself already… YOU are truly not that important… believe me and when you take life so seriously, you’ll end up dying from a coronary!! UGH!!
LoL
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I definitely think I’d rather have the cake than the actual Irish Carbomb. This is stunning, and I want to swim in that frosting!
Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat says
Hell yes. Definitely making this for my Irish boyfriend with a shot of Bailey’s on the side. So really, what do you do for fun??
Irvin says
I bake a lot. 😉
Miss Kim @ behgopa says
Oh my goodness! Looks ridiculously yummy. I am really curious to try a bite of what made a guy think he has “seen Jesus” after one taste. I am so making this soon.
Kris says
Oh my gosh! That looks so delicious. I seriously want a bite right now, and it’s not even 7am.
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
All of those delicious layers have me craving cake. I love the tip about using toothpicks. I never thought to do that. Thanks for linking up to my Guinness BBQ Sauce.
Tess @ Tips on Life & Love says
It amazes me how many recipes we assume to be from somewhere else are just an American invention. Nevertheless, I will have to give this cake a try! It looks delicious!
Helen Rodgers says
Oh my! I see why people run out of words. It looks sooo delicious and I can only guess how it tastes.
P.S. Who cares about some name – people who don’t have cake to eat, that’s who.
Have a wonderful weekend, Irvin!
xo, Helen
Wimbledon domestic cleaners says
This makes my mouth water! Looks like heaven! Can’t wait to try it.
Risa says
If only I could stick a fork through the screen, this looks utterly decadent. A shame you had to change the name (you didn’t invent the drink…or did youuuu?!) Your creative mind is a treat to me no matter what you call your recipes.
Cherianne says
Looks delicious! Just out of curiosity, ever tried this recipe with cupcakes? Thank you!
Kate@Diethood says
The cake is beyond gorgeous, car bombs, or not… 😉 Seriously… I love the drink, but I think I looooove this cake way more!
Kim Beaulieu says
This is gorgeous Irvin. No one does cake quite like you. So pretty.
Jen @ Savory Simple says
Perfection.
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
Ooooooo, cut me a slice stat, pour me a strong espresso and nobody bother me for an hour 🙂 perfect.
Winnie says
You are a genius 🙂
Crista says
oh my… looks great! i might……
Aggie says
One of my favorite drinks!! We have fun with those 🙂 This cake looks truly amazing, good work!
Colleen Rua says
Believe me, car bombs in Ireland lasted decades and no-one could have ever imagined that the term would be used to ‘celebrate’ our national holiday. The new name doesn’t win you any pals in Ireland either.
jan tucker says
made this cake today – absolutely wonderful – came out great and tasted beyond marvelous!!
Viola says
Irvin, I came across your blog today, and Oh My Word, you are fabulous:) I love everything and I cant wait to try this one put in particular. I am an amateur baker but I can’t wait to make this for my fiancee’s birthday. Thank you so much for sharing the love:) Love from India:)
Cindy says
I think this is one of the best cakes I have ever had!!!!! – It is not too sweet, not too rich, goes down very easily!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!! A coworker made it & I had to try it. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!
Katlin says
Amazing Cake! I made it last night for my best friend’s birthday. It was a huge hit! Just the right balance of sweet. Creamy frosting and the cake was moist. moist. moist! Thanks!!!
Conlye says
Made this a few times- a crowd favorite indeed!
Irvin says
Yay! I’m so glad. Thanks for stopping by and letting me know!
stacy says
All these comments and NOT ONE said; How it TASTES??
DID ANYONE EVEN TRY IT?
Really would have liked to know IF ANYONE TRULY LIKED THE FLAVOR???
I’m hunting Marscarpone recipes for a dinner party. This cake looks awesome,
but looks can be deceiving. I don’t have time to make more than one desert so if this sucks i’m doomed!!
Yuvika Chaube says
You wont go wrong this one – it is absolutely delicious – not too sweet – the liquors fuse very well~
Yuvika Chaube says
Just made this for our Valentine’s Day celebrations and oh my god, it is heavenly – i cant find the right words to do justice! I did the four layers too (am an amateur baker who bakes only for family) and they didnt come out neat and precise but what the hell nothing mattered with the first bite!
Devin says
The offended people here need to get off of the internet and board a rocket to the sun, the world would be a better place without you. As for this cake ….. YES PLEASE!
Victoria says
I want to make this but I can’t seem to find Dutch processed cocoa anywhere. Does the recipe work the same with natural?
chelathechef says
The dutch cocoa powder doesnt really make that much of a difference, just in color and a tad richer, you can use regular cocoa powder it still comes out good.
Ferralyn says
I have made this twice – first with Penzey’s Hi-fat Dutch Process cocoa and again with Ghiradelli’s non-alkaline processed cocoa. Both were equally scrumptious. You can get Penzey’s online and Ghiradelli’s in just about any US grocery store.
Ronit waissman says
Planning to make it to a friends bday.
How long in advance can I make it? Keep it in fridge or freezer?
Thank you
Ronit says
Just came back from the bday party. The cake was an absolute success. Will do it again and again
Thank you for the great recipients!!!!
Kathy says
phenomenal recipe, actually enjoyed baking it, tasting the ingredients helped 😉 Will become a yearly thing
Amy says
This is THE most DELICIOUS cake EVER!!!!! Make it you will not be disappointed.
Patty Wall says
Just found this recipe and it sounds delicious. What bothers me is how vicious people are and how easily they get offended by a name of a cake. Good grief, that is part of the problem in this country, people get offended at the drop of a hat. They need to get over themselves and get a GD life already!!
Ferralyn says
Such an amazing recipe! Definitely, try this cake if you haven’t already. I could straight-shot the frosting all day. I actually added a layer of dark chocolate ganache under the frosting on the middle and top layers and it offset the sweetness of the frosting nicely. 🙂
Maureen says
csn you give an example of the Irish cream and Irish whiskey you used.
Irvin says
Yes! I use Baileys Irish Cream a lot, but there are other options out there. Kerrygold just released an Irish Cream that would work really well in this recipe. And I use Jameson Irish Whiskey or Tullamore Dew but there are a number of other Irish whiskeys out there. I’d use the one you like the most to drink!
Susan H Mattia says
I made this last night as a sheet cake to take to church for Fellowship onnSt. Patrick’s Day, I was beyond the best ever chocolate cake I’ve ever eaten or made. I always cook from scratch and this is to be My now favorite chocolate cake recipe. The frosting was done entirely with Bailey’s Irish Cream In it and it was good enough I wanted to just soak in a tub of it without water, just a coffee would do. I wish I could post the picture of it, not sure how.
This is the first scratch cake I have ever made in a pot on the stove to mix up. I believe it’s the only way to make a cake now. I would like to experiment with white or other flavors.
Thank you for this “Adult Cake” as it was described in my church. For me it was a Chocolate dreamers bomb.
Victoria says
Hi, Thank you for putting the different types of mesurements but I did notice two of the liquids are not converted from cups . Could you just confirm what the mesurements for the 1/4 cup Irish whiskey & 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream are.
Im looking forward to making this for my Fathers birthday.
Diana Drexler says
This is my husbands favorite cake… ever.. For the last 6 years he has asked for this cake for his birthday or when he finishes a triathlon or a running race.. HA!
We sometimes end up with so much left over if its just our little family celerating. Usually we cut it in half and take the leftovers to the hospital where John works and the other physicians and nurses attack it.. Since Covid 19, we can’t do that. Do you have any suggestions for turning these into cupcakes in hopes that they might (gasp) freeze for later?
long story for a simple questions.. sorry!
Jeanene Dakin says
Greetings. Can I use sour cream instead of the yogurt? I got all my ingredients and forgot yogurt. Thank you.