Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe is a rich dessert combining Guinness chocolate cake, Irish whiskey ganache, and Bailey’s butter cream frosting, inspired by flavours of the Irish Car Bomb cocktail.
I made this Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe because my past experience baking it always brought strong memories of watching it created in an old bakery video that sparked my interest.
That moment inspired me to try it myself, and now I’m ready to show up and share each step of this Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe.
Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe
The unique speciality of the Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe lies in how it blends three classic Irish spirits into a single indulgent dessert.
The cake features a dark, moist Guinness infused chocolate base, a smooth and bold Irish whiskey ganache center, and a creamy Bailey’s butter cream topping.
Each layer highlights a different flavor, creating a rich and memorable experience. This fusion of depth, sweetness, and warmth makes the cake stand out as a festive, crowd pleasing treat perfect for special occasions and celebrations.
How To Prepare Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe?
Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Cooling & Assembly Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Irish inspired
Yield: 12 servings
Kitchen Utensils
- 2 mixing bowls
- Medium saucepan
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Whisk & spatula
- 9-inch round cake pans (2)
- Wire cooling rack
- Serrated knife (for leveling)
- Offset spatula (for frosting)
Ingredients
Guinness Chocolate Cake:
- 1 cup Guinness stout
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ⅔ cup sour cream
Irish Whiskey Ganache Filling:
- 3 oz Irish whiskey
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
Baileys Butter cream Frosting:
- 2 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 280 g powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
How To Make Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe?
1. Make The Guinness Batter:
Melt the butter with the Guinness in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter has fully melted, take it off the heat and whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar until the mixture is smooth. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
2. Add The Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk the eggs and sour cream until blended. Pour this into the warm Guinness mixture. Slowly add the dry ingredients, mixing until you have a thick, smooth batter.
3. Bake The Cakes:
Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round pans. Divide the batter between them and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely on a wire rack.
4. Make The Whiskey Ganache:
Warm the heavy cream in a saucepan just until it starts to steam don’t let it boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips in a bowl. Let it sit for a minute or two, then stir until smooth and glossy. Add the Irish whiskey. Refrigerate until it thickens enough to spread.
5. Prepare The Baileys Butter cream:
Beat the softened butter until light and creamy. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time. Mix in the vanilla, Baileys, and a pinch of salt. If the frosting seems too stiff, add a splash of heavy cream until it reaches the right consistency.
6. Assemble The Cake:
If the cake layers have domed tops, trim them so they’re level. Spread a thick layer of the whiskey ganache over the first layer, then set the second layer on top and press gently.
7. Frost And Finish:
Cover the entire cake with the Baileys buttercream, smoothing it with an offset spatula. Chill the cake for about 20 minutes so the frosting can set. Serve as is, or drizzle some extra ganache over the top for a finishing touch.
Nutrition Facts Of Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe
| Nutrition | Amounts |
|---|---|
| Calories | 560 |
| Fat | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 62 g |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Sugar | 48 g |
Healthy Nutrition Benefits
➤ Cocoa and dark chocolate in the cake provide antioxidants that help fight free radicals.
➤ Guinness and cocoa contribute small amounts of dietary iron, supporting red blood cell health.
➤ Chocolate and Irish cream contain compounds that can improve mood and reduce stress.
➤ Butter, cream, and Bailey’s add calcium, supporting bone strength.
➤ Natural sugars and fats in the cake provide a quick source of energy.
Tips And Tricks For Perfect Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe
➢ Let the stout reach room temperature to help the chocolate bloom and deepen the flavor of the batter.
➢ Allow the ganache to thicken slightly before spreading so it stays in place and creates a smooth center layer.
➢ Soften the butter fully before preparing the frosting to achieve a silky, airy finish.
➢ Cool the cake completely before slicing or frosting to avoid melting or tearing.
➢ Chill the assembled cake briefly to help the layers set and create clean, even slices.
Usage Suggestions
The Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe can be enjoyed as a rich dessert after a hearty meal or served alongside coffee or hot chocolate for an indulgent treat.
Slices work well on dessert platters at parties, celebrations, or festive gatherings. Individual portions can be chilled and stored for later enjoyment.
Small dollops of whipped cream or a light dusting of cocoa powder enhance presentation and flavor. Sharing it among friends and family adds a fun, festive touch to any dessert experience.
Why You Should Try This Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe Today?
This Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe brings bold flavor, soft texture, and irresistible richness in every layer. Guinness adds depth to the chocolate base, Irish whiskey enhances the silky ganache, and Bailey’s creates a smooth, creamy finish.
Each bite delivers a comforting blend of cocoa and spirited sweetness that feels indulgent yet approachable.
The recipe creates impressive results without being complicated, allowing anyone to enjoy a standout dessert that easily becomes a memorable favourite among family or friends.
How To Store Leftovers Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe?
Leftover Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe stays fresh in an airtight container stored in the refrigerator. Covering the cake tightly prevents it from drying out and preserves the flavours of the ganache and frosting.
Small slices can be individually wrapped in plastic wrap to maintain moisture. The cake can remain chilled for up to four days, allowing the flavours to meld.
Bringing slices to room temperature before serving enhances the texture and richness of each bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use A Different Stout Instead Of Guinness?
Other stouts work, but Guinness provides the classic rich, malty flavor.
Is It Possible To Make This Cake Dairy Free?
Substitute butter with plant-based butter and use dairy free cream for ganache and frosting.
How Strong Is The Whiskey Flavour?
The whiskey flavor is noticeable but balanced by chocolate and Baileys, adjust amount to taste.
Can I Use Boxed Cake Mix Instead Of Scratch?
Yes, chocolate cake mix can be adapted by replacing liquid with Guinness and adding a touch of cocoa for depth.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed how easy and delicious this Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe is to make. It’s a rich, fun, and flavourful dessert that comes together with simple steps and impressive results.
I’m sure you’ll feel inspired to try it soon, and I can’t wait for you to experience how amazing it tastes once you bake it yourself. Let me know how much you enjoy every decadent bite!
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Irish Car Bomb Cake Recipe
Equipment
- 2 mixing bowls
- Medium saucepan
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Whisk & spatula
- 9-inch round cake pans (2)
- Wire cooling rack
- Serrated knife (for leveling)
- Offset spatula (for frosting)
Ingredients
Guinness Chocolate Cake:
- 1 cup Guinness stout
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ⅔ cup sour cream
Irish Whiskey Ganache Filling:
- 3 oz Irish whiskey
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
Baileys Butter cream Frosting:
- 2 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 280 g powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Make The Guinness Batter:
- Melt the butter with the Guinness in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter has fully melted, take it off the heat and whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar until the mixture is smooth. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Add The Wet Ingredients:
- In another bowl, whisk the eggs and sour cream until blended. Pour this into the warm Guinness mixture. Slowly add the dry ingredients, mixing until you have a thick, smooth batter.
Bake The Cakes:
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round pans. Divide the batter between them and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely on a wire rack.
Make The Whiskey Ganache:
- Warm the heavy cream in a saucepan just until it starts to steam don’t let it boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips in a bowl. Let it sit for a minute or two, then stir until smooth and glossy. Add the Irish whiskey. Refrigerate until it thickens enough to spread.
Prepare The Baileys Butter cream:
- Beat the softened butter until light and creamy. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time. Mix in the vanilla, Baileys, and a pinch of salt. If the frosting seems too stiff, add a splash of heavy cream until it reaches the right consistency.
Assemble The Cake:
- If the cake layers have domed tops, trim them so they’re level. Spread a thick layer of the whiskey ganache over the first layer, then set the second layer on top and press gently.
Frost And Finish:
- Cover the entire cake with the Baileys buttercream, smoothing it with an offset spatula. Chill the cake for about 20 minutes so the frosting can set. Serve as is, or drizzle some extra ganache over the top for a finishing touch.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 560 | Fat: 32 g | Carbohydrates: 62 g | Protein: 6 g | Sugar: 48 gHi, I’m Samia! I’ve spent the past five years creating recipes that are both delicious and unique. Cooking is my passion, and I love exploring different cuisines, blending flavors, and turning everyday meals into something memorable. From quick weeknight dinners to festive feasts, I aim to make every dish special. I’d love for you to join me on this culinary journey together we’ll explore simple, easy-to-follow recipes and tips that make cooking fun, inspiring, and full of joy!