Guinness Beer's Chocolatey Notes: Fact Or Fiction?

Guinness, the world-renowned Irish stout, is known for its complex and creamy flavour with notes of caramel and coffee. Interestingly, this unique taste also lends itself well to desserts, particularly when paired with chocolate. The combination of Guinness and chocolate creates a bittersweet flavour profile that has been featured in various treats, from chocolate bars and truffles to hot chocolate and chocolate cake. The stout's malty and bitter notes complement the sweetness of the chocolate, resulting in a sophisticated and indulgent taste experience.

Guinness chocolate bars

Guinness and chocolate lovers are in for a treat with the range of Guinness chocolate bars. Combining two of Ireland's most loved products, these chocolate bars offer a unique taste experience.

The Guinness Chocolate Collection by Lir Chocolates includes a range of decadent chocolates infused with the rich and malty flavour of Guinness. The collection features milk and dark chocolate bars, truffles, caramels, and even a truffle bar with a white chocolate ganache centre. Each creation is crafted with care, ensuring a premium tasting experience for all chocolate lovers.

The Guinness Luxury Milk Chocolate Bar is a harmonious blend of creamy milk chocolate and the complex, roasted notes of Guinness stout. This bar offers a bittersweet and sumptuous experience, with the smoothness of Lir's chocolate complementing the famous stout. It is a perfect treat for oneself or as a gift for a Guinness lover.

For those who prefer their chocolate a little darker, the Guinness Dark Chocolate Bar delivers an intensely rich experience. The dark chocolate is lightly flavoured with the complex notes of Guinness, creating a unique taste. This bar is a delightful choice for those seeking a bold and unique flavour.

Another variation is the Guinness Caramel Chocolate Bar, a creamy milk chocolate shell with a flowing caramel centre, flavoured with Guinness beer. The sweetness of the caramel and the bitterness of Guinness create a delightful contrast, making it a truly unique and indulgent treat.

Guinness chocolate cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup Guinness extra stout
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup sour cream, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• Chocolate shavings, for topping (optional)

Method

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with butter, then line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, heat Guinness and butter just until the butter is melted. Remove from heat; whisk in cocoa powder and granulated sugar until well-combined. Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk sour cream, eggs and vanilla extract until combined. Add to Guinness mixture along with flour and baking soda; whisk again until smooth. Pour batter into prepared baking pan. Place pan on a rimmed baking sheet (to catch any potential drips); place on center rack of oven.

Bake cake 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the edges of the cake are firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer cake to a cooling rack; cool completely. (The center of the cake may dip slightly as it cools; this is normal and the frosting will cover it up!)

Meanwhile, make the topping: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse powdered sugar a few times to remove any lumps. Add cream cheese and process until the mixture is smooth. Add heavy cream; process until well-combined into a smooth, spreadable frosting.

Remove the fully cooled cake from the springform pan; transfer to a serving plate or cake stand. Top the cake evenly with frosting so it resembles a frothy pint of Guinness. Garnish with chocolate shavings, if desired. Serve immediately.

Storage

Store any leftover cake covered tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tips

• The original recipe calls for 2 cups superfine sugar, which is effectively granulated sugar with a finer crumb. If you want to make it as close to the original as possible, you can pulse granulated sugar in a food processor for a few seconds to make it more fine, then add it to the recipe. Be sure not to over-process, or you’ll end up with powdered sugar.
• To make chocolate shavings, run a vegetable peeler along the narrow end of a chocolate bar.

Guinness chocolate truffles

Making Guinness Chocolate Truffles

If you want to make your own Guinness Chocolate Truffles at home, there is a simple recipe that you can follow. The recipe typically involves melting dark chocolate, heavy cream, and Guinness beer together in a double boiler until smooth and creamy. Once melted, the mixture is cooled to room temperature and then refrigerated for about 2 hours until it firms up.

Once the mixture has firmed, you can scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into balls with your hands. These balls are then dipped in melted semi-sweet chocolate and placed on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet to chill again. The process is quite simple, but it does require some time and patience as the truffles need to chill at various stages.

Buying Guinness Chocolate Truffles

If you don't want to make your own, you can also purchase Guinness Chocolate Truffles from various retailers. Lir Chocolates offers a selection of original Guinness Chocolate Truffles with a crisp milk shell and a Guinness truffle centre. These truffles come in 135g and 320g tubes, providing a great option for sharing with friends or indulging yourself.

Ingredients and Allergens

Whether you make or buy Guinness Chocolate Truffles, it is important to be aware of the ingredients and potential allergens. The truffles typically contain sugar, cocoa mass, vegetable oils, glucose syrup, Guinness beer, cocoa butter, milk products, neutral spirit, dextrose, flavourings, humectant, and emulsifiers. They may also contain traces of nuts and peanuts, so it is important to check the ingredient list if you have any allergies.

So, whether you decide to make your own or purchase a ready-made option, Guinness Chocolate Truffles offer a unique and indulgent experience for beer and chocolate lovers alike.

Guinness chocolate hamper sets

Guinness and chocolate? It may sound like an unusual combination, but it's a match made in heaven for those who enjoy the unique, rich flavour of Guinness beer. And what better way to indulge than with a luxurious hamper set?

The Ultimate Guinness Chocolate Experience

The Ultimate Guinness Chocolate Selection Hamper by Burmont's is a dream come true for any Guinness lover. This beautifully presented gift box contains a delightful assortment of Guinness-infused treats, including:

• Guinness Chocolate Truffles
• Guinness Mini Caramels
• Guinness Caramel Chocolate Block
• Guinness Dark Chocolate Block
• Guinness Mini Pints

Each item in this hamper is carefully crafted, blending the distinctive taste of Guinness with smooth, decadent chocolate. It's a unique and indulgent experience that's perfect for any occasion.

A Variety of Treats

If you're looking for a hamper with a little more variety, the Guinness Lover Sweet Treats Gift Box is a fantastic option. This set not only includes delicious Guinness chocolates, such as the Guinness Caramel Chocolate Bar and Guinness Dark and Milk Chocolate Mini Pints, but also offers other tasty treats, such as:

• Bottles of Guinness Beer
• Guinness Hand Cooked Crisps
• Dormen Belgian Chocolate Coated Peanuts
• Guinness Mini Caramels

It's a wonderful way to sample a variety of Guinness-themed treats and is sure to be a hit with any Guinness enthusiast.

A Warming Winter Treat

For those chilly days and nights, there's the Guinness Hot Drinking Chocolate. This rich and comforting drink combines the familiar taste of Guinness with the indulgent smoothness of hot chocolate. It's the perfect way to warm up and relax, and it's sure to be a favourite winter treat for many.

A Special Gift for Any Occasion

So why not surprise your loved ones with a unique and indulgent Guinness chocolate experience? Whether they're a Guinness superfan or simply a chocolate connoisseur, these hampers are sure to impress and delight.

Guinness hot chocolate

Ingredients and Recipe

To make Guinness hot chocolate, you will need the following ingredients:

• Guinness beer
• Milk
• Dark chocolate
• Vanilla
• Maple syrup or choice of sweetener
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Irish cream (optional)
• Powdered sugar (optional)

• Pour Guinness into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced by half.
• Add milk to the same pan, but do not boil it as it may burn. Heat the milk until it is steaming.
• Turn the heat down to low and stir in the chopped dark chocolate, vanilla, maple syrup or sweetener of your choice, and the reduced Guinness.
• Gently heat the mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the chocolate is completely melted.
• For an extra indulgent touch, make some Irish whipped cream by combining heavy cream, Irish cream, and powdered sugar in a large bowl. Beat on high speed until soft peaks form, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
• Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and top with generous amounts of whipped cream and chocolate curls or shavings.

Pre-made Mixes

If you don't want to make Guinness hot chocolate from scratch, you can purchase pre-made mixes. These mixes are available in tins or packets and typically contain cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, butter oil, flavourings (including malt beer), emulsifiers, coffee, and a small amount of Guinness beer. To prepare the drink, simply add a heaped teaspoon of the mix to a mug, add boiling water, stir, and enjoy.

Frequently asked questions