This light and velvety cake is the perfect Irish dessert to serve on St. Paddy's Day or any time, for that matter. Be sure to use regular cream cheese and not low-fat so that the icing will be nice and creamy.
2 1/4 sticks plus 1 T. unsalted butter
1 1/4 c. Guinness (Irish dry stout)
1 c. unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
2 large eggs
2 c. plus 2 T. superfine sugar
2 t. vanilla extract
3/4 c. buttermilk
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
Frosting:
7 T. unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 c. powdered sugar, sifted
1 t. vanilla extract
1 1/4 c. cream cheese (NOT low-fat)
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line the bottom of a 12-inch round springform pan with parchment paper.
Cake;
Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until melted. Stir in the Guinness; remove from heat; stir in cocoa.
In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and buttermilk; slowly mix in the Guinness mixture.
Sift together flour, baking soda and baking powder into a separate large bowl.
Using a handheld electric mixer, slowly mix wet mixture into dry ingredients; keep beating until well-combined. Transfer batter to the prepared cake pan.
Bake for about 45 minutes. Test to make sure the cake is done by inserting a wooden toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done; remove. If not, let it bake a few more minutes. Let cool in the pan; transfer from the pan onto a wire rack.
While cake is cooling, make the frosting:
Using a handheld electric mixer, blend all frosting ingredients together until light and fluffy.
Place the cooled cake on a plate; generously spread the frosting on the top.