Name: Guinness Chocolate Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 3/4 cup Guinness Stout beer; 2 cups sugar; 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder (optional); 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 2 large eggs; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2/3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder; 5 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons Guinness Stout beer; 1/4 cup powdered sugar

If you’re a chocolate lover looking for something with a bit of a twist, these Guinness Chocolate Brownies Recipe are about to become your new obsession. Moist, richly chocolatey, and with that subtle, malty stout kick, they’re perfect for impressing friends or just treating yourself on a cozy night in.

The image shows a stack of three thick square pieces of chocolate cake, each piece with a dark brown, moist, soft cake layer topped by a smooth, shiny layer of chocolate frosting. The cakes have a slightly crumbly texture on the sides. They sit on a piece of brown parchment paper on a wood surface, with some chocolate chips nearby. In the background, two black cans with gold writing stand out against a blurred white marbled texture. A black bottle cap with gold details is placed next to the stack. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Guinness Chocolate Brownies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Guinness Chocolate Brownies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Guinness Chocolate Brownies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From the moment I baked these Guinness-infused brownies, I couldn’t believe how perfectly they balanced cakey and fudgy textures—plus that smooth chocolate ganache topping? Total game changer.

Unique Flavor Boost: The Guinness Stout adds a rich, slightly bitter depth that complements the chocolate beautifully.
Perfect Texture: These brownies are moist with just the right cakey-fudgy balance—no dry edges here!
Silky Ganache: The Guinness chocolate ganache on top is creamy and luscious, tying it all together.
Easy to Make: From mixing to baking, it’s a straightforward recipe that works for any skill level.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, a little heads-up: opt for good-quality ingredients like Dutch-processed cocoa powder for maximum chocolate impact and a sturdy stout like Guinness to get that true flavor depth. Here’s why each component shines in this recipe.

Flat lay of a small glass bowl of dark vegetable oil, a small white bowl filled with deep brown Guinness stout, a small white bowl heaped with granulated white sugar, a small white bowl with fine dark brown espresso powder, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl containing coarse sea salt, a small white bowl holding melted golden butter, two large uncracked brown eggs with smooth shells, a small white bowl of all-purpose white flour, a small white bowl filled with rich Dutch-processed cocoa powder, a small white bowl piled with glossy semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white bowl of pale yellow unsalted butter cubes, a small white bowl with more dark Guinness stout, and a small white bowl dusted with fine white powdered sugar — arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vegetable oil: Keeps the brownies moist and tender without overpowering the flavor.
Guinness Stout beer: Adds a unique malty richness that enhances the chocolate notes.
Sugar: Sweetens the batter and helps build that delicious crust on top.
Espresso powder: Optional, but it intensifies the chocolate flavor beautifully.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the flavor profile.
Salt: Balances sweetness and deepens flavor complexity.
Unsalted butter: Gives richness and helps to create a fudgy texture.
Eggs: Bind everything together for structure and moisture.
All-purpose flour: Provides the necessary structure for the brownie’s cakey and fudgy texture.
Dutch-processed cocoa powder: Delivers an intense, smooth chocolate flavor without bitterness.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melt into the ganache topping for a silky, rich finish.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the ganache for that perfect spreadable consistency.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Guinness Chocolate Brownies Recipe is how easy it is to make it truly your own. Whether you want to add a personal twist or adapt it to dietary needs, there are plenty of ways to customize these brownies without losing that rich, moist texture and deep chocolate-stout flavor.

Gluten-Free Variation: I swapped the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend once, and the brownies still came out wonderfully fudgy with that same luscious flavor. Just be sure your blend contains xanthan gum for the best texture.
Nutty Add-Ins: Adding chopped toasted pecans or walnuts gives these brownies a delightful crunch that contrasts nicely with the silky ganache topping. I especially love this add-in during the holiday season when I want a bit of extra texture.
Espresso Boost: Including the optional espresso powder really amps up the chocolate depth. If you’re a coffee lover like me, it’s well worth including this little ingredient—it disappears into the background but enhances the overall richness.
Dairy-Free Option: For a dairy-free twist, try swapping the butter in the topping with a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free chocolate chips. The stout flavor shines through beautifully even without dairy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Guinness Chocolate Brownies Recipe

A close-up of a single square piece of dark chocolate cake with two layers: a thick, moist, textured bottom cake layer in deep brown and a smooth, shiny chocolate frosting layer on top with a clean edge, sitting on light brown parchment paper. In the background, there is a blurred stack of three similar squares on the left and a dark drink bottle on the right, all resting on a white marbled surface. Near the front, a few dark chocolate chips are scattered on the parchment paper. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×9 inch square baking pan thoroughly, and then line it with parchment paper — make sure the paper extends up the sides. This little trick makes lifting your brownie batch out of the pan effortless later on, without any crumbs breaking off. Trust me, it’s a game-changer for clean cutting and serving!

Step 2: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the vegetable oil, Guinness stout beer, sugar, espresso powder (if using), vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk everything until it’s smooth and shiny. This step is where the magic begins — the stout adds a subtle but unmistakable richness to the batter, and whisking well ensures the sugar starts to melt and mingle.

Step 3: Add Melted Butter and Eggs

Next, pour in the melted unsalted butter and whisk it all together again until it’s fully combined. Then, add the eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition. This creates a luscious, glossy batter that’s just waiting to turn into the perfect cakey-fudgy brownie.

Step 4: Gently Fold in Your Dry Ingredients

Now, sift in the all-purpose flour and Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Gently whisk just until the flour is incorporated—avoid overmixing to keep your brownies tender and moist rather than tough. You want to see a smooth, rich batter that’s beautifully chocolatey, but still soft and forgiving.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Slide it into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The edges will start to firm up, but the center should be just a bit soft. A toothpick inserted near the middle should come out with a few moist crumbs — that’s your cue for perfectly fudgy brownies.

Step 6: Cool Completely Before Topping

Once baked, let your brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is important because you want the brownies set before adding the ganache. Topping warm brownies would cause the chocolate to melt too much and lose that beautifully silky finish.

Step 7: Make the Silky Guinness Chocolate Ganache

For the ganache, place the semi-sweet chocolate chips, unsalted butter, and Guinness stout beer in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about 30 seconds until the beer is hot and the butter just starts to melt. Whisk vigorously until your mixture is silky smooth. If needed, microwave in short bursts and whisk until perfectly glossy.

Step 8: Sweeten and Spread the Ganache

Add the powdered sugar to the ganache and whisk until smooth and fully combined. Pour the mixture evenly over your cooled brownies and spread gently with a spatula for an even layer. This topping adds a decadent final touch that’s both rich and wonderfully stout-infused.

Step 9: Let the Ganache Set and Cut

Allow the brownies to cool completely so the ganache can set up firm yet creamy. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire batch from the pan, then cut into squares. Each bite offers that perfect marriage of cakey and fudgy textures enhanced by boozy, chocolatey ganache—pure bliss.

Top Tip

Mastering these Guinness Chocolate Brownies Recipe tips can make all the difference between a good batch and an unforgettable one. These pointers come from hands-on experience to help you get that perfect cakey yet fudgy texture every time.

Use Dutch-processed Cocoa Powder: This little swap deepens the chocolate flavor and improves the brownie’s texture, making them richer and more indulgent.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Gently combine your dry ingredients with the wet to keep the brownies moist and fudgy, avoiding a tough or cakey outcome.
Line Your Pan with Parchment Paper: Extending the paper beyond the edges is a game changer. It makes lifting the brownies out clean and easy without any crumbling.
Let Brownies Cool Completely Before Ganache: Adding the ganache too soon risks melting it and losing that silky smooth finish. Patience here truly pays off.

How to Serve Guinness Chocolate Brownies Recipe

A clear glass bowl holds smooth, dark brown chocolate batter with a thick and shiny texture that swirls around a silver whisk standing inside the bowl, resting on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For an extra touch of elegance and flavor, consider dusting your brownies with a light sprinkle of cocoa powder or powdered sugar. Fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries on the side add a bright pop of color and a tart contrast. If you’re feeling decadent, a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream pairs beautifully with the rich chocolate ganache topping.

Side Dishes

Serve these brownies alongside a cup of strong black coffee or an espresso to complement the espresso powder and deepen the chocolate stout flavors. A rich, pour-over coffee or even a smooth Irish cream liqueur can create a cozy adult treat. For a lighter option, creamy vanilla or cinnamon-spiced custard makes a lovely side dish to balance the intensity of the Guinness chocolate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Guinness Chocolate Brownies in an airtight container to maintain their moistness and prevent them from drying out. You can safely keep them at room temperature for up to 2 days. Because of the luscious ganache topping, it’s best to refrigerate any leftovers after that point. They remain delicious and fresh best when enjoyed within 4-5 days.

Freezing

For longer storage, wrap the brownies tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing. This double wrap protects their flavor and texture. When you’re ready, thaw the brownies overnight in the fridge to keep the ganache intact. Freeze for up to 2 months for optimal freshness.

Reheating

If you’d like to warm a brownie before serving, place it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This brings out gooeyness without melting the ganache too much. Alternatively, enjoy them chilled for a firmer texture and intense flavor experience.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of beer instead of Guinness?

While Guinness Stout is recommended for its rich, malty flavor, you can experiment with other dark stouts or porters. Keep in mind, lighter beers will change the intensity and depth of the brownie’s flavor.

What if I don’t have espresso powder?

No worries! The espresso powder is optional and mainly enhances the chocolate richness. If you don’t have it on hand, you can skip it without sacrificing the core deliciousness of these brownies.

How do I know when the brownies are perfectly baked?

Bake until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist, sticky crumbs. Avoid waiting for it to come out completely clean, as that could dry out the brownies.

Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?

Absolutely! Just double all the ingredients, and bake in a larger pan or two pans. Watch the baking time carefully as it might need a few extra minutes depending on your oven and pan size.

Final Thoughts

These Guinness Chocolate Brownies Recipe hold a special place in my heart – they’re not just desserts, they’re little moments of joy that bring rich chocolate and the bold character of stout together in perfect harmony. Whether you’re baking for friends or savoring a quiet evening treat, these brownies never fail to delight. I hope this recipe and these tips inspire you to bake them often and share their wonderful flavors with those you love.