Name: Guinness Chocolate Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup vegetable oil (60 ml); 3/4 cup Guinness Stout beer (180 ml); 2 cups sugar (414 g); 1/2 tsp espresso powder (optional); 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (56 g); 2 large eggs; 1 cup all-purpose flour (130 g); 2/3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder (76 g); 5 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (2/3 cup, 150 g); 2 tbsp unsalted butter (28 g); 2 tbsp Guinness Stout beer (30 ml); 1/4 cup powdered sugar (29 g)

If you’re a fan of rich, deeply chocolaty desserts with a twist, this Guinness Chocolate Brownies Recipe is about to become your new favorite. These brownies mix the robust flavor of stout beer with luscious cocoa for a moist, fudgy bake that’s impossible to resist.

A stack of three square chocolate brownies is shown, each with two layers: a thick, dark brown spongy bottom layer with a moist texture and a smooth, thick layer of chocolate frosting on top with subtle wavy lines. The brownies sit on a piece of light brown parchment paper over a wooden surface, with two chocolate chips to the left and a black bottle cap with gold details on the right. The background features blurred dark bottles and a white marbled texture. 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

I’ve made plenty of brownies, but adding Guinness stout gave these a depth and complexity that I just can’t get enough of. Every bite is a delightful surprise—moist, cakey in spots, yet irresistibly fudgy overall.

Perfect Texture: A wonderful balance between cakey tenderness and fudgy richness that hits the spot.
Flavor Boost: Guinness stout and cocoa combine for a complex, rich chocolate flavor that's so satisfying.
Simple Technique: Easy-to-follow steps with everyday ingredients make this recipe doable any day.
Decadent Topping: A smooth chocolate ganache with an extra drizzle of Guinness adds a luxe finish.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe uses some classic brownie ingredients alongside Guinness stout to amp up the flavor. When shopping, look for good-quality Dutch-processed cocoa and fresh eggs to get the best results. If you can find Guinness stout, that's ideal, but a similarly bold stout will do.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of dark Dutch-processed cocoa powder, a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of golden melted unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of rich dark Guinness stout beer, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vegetable oil, two large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of fine all-purpose flour, a few coffee beans representing espresso powder, a vanilla bean pod, and a small white ceramic bowl of coarse salt, all arranged with perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, 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 brownies moist and tender without weighing down the texture.
Guinness Stout beer: Adds a deep, malty richness that highlights the chocolate.
Sugar: Sweetens the brownies and helps create that fudgy crumb.
Espresso powder (optional): Intensifies the chocolate notes without tasting like coffee.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor complexity.
Salt: Balances sweetness and elevates the chocolate flavor.
Unsalted butter (melted): Adds richness and a silky texture.
Eggs: Provide structure and tenderness to the brownies.
All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives the brownies their cakey-fudgy texture.
Dutch-processed cocoa powder: Offers a smooth, mellow chocolate flavor crucial to the recipe.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: For the luscious chocolate ganache topping.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths out the chocolate topping perfectly.

📝

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 your own. Whether you want to amp up the chocolate, add a nutty crunch, or keep it simple and classic, these brownies are a perfect base for your creativity.

Double Chocolate Delight: I love stirring in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for added texture and a nutty contrast to the rich chocolate and stout.
Fudgy Over Cakey: For a fudgier brownie, try reducing the flour by 2 tablespoons or baking towards the shorter end of the 30-35 minute range to keep the center extra moist.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap the butter in both the batter and topping for coconut oil to make these brownies dairy free without losing any richness.
Seasonal Twist: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or chili powder to the batter for a warming spice kick—perfect for cooler months when you want something a little extra cozy.
Chocolate Ganache Variations: Mix in a splash of espresso or a teaspoon of orange zest to the ganache for a surprising flavor lift that pairs beautifully with the stout.

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

A close-up view of a single square piece of chocolate cake with two layers: the bottom layer is dark, moist, and crumbly, while the top layer is a smooth, thick, milk chocolate frosting. The cake piece sits on a piece of brown parchment paper over a white marbled surface. In the blurry background, there are more stacked cake pieces and a dark bottle with gold lettering. A few shiny, dark chocolate chips and a black bottle cap lie near the cake. 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 lightly, then line it with parchment paper—make sure the paper hangs over the edges for easy brownie lifting later. This simple prep helps your brownies bake evenly and keeps cleanup a breeze.

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 these together vigorously until they're fully blended. You'll notice the sugar starting to dissolve into the liquid, creating a glossy, rich base for the brownies.

Step 3: Add Melted Butter and Eggs

Pour in the melted butter and whisk again until smooth. Then, add the eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition. This step ensures your batter becomes silky and well-emulsified—key for that perfect cakey yet fudgy texture we all crave.

Step 4: Gently Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Now, sift in the all-purpose flour and Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Gently whisk until just combined—don’t overmix here! You want to stop when the batter is uniform and smooth but still light to maintain that tender crumb.

Step 5: Bake the Brownies

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and spread the surface gently with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350°F (180°C), starting to check at 30 minutes. Insert a toothpick near the center; when it comes out with a few moist, sticky crumbs, your brownies are ready. This moisture is exactly what keeps these brownies so delightfully fudgy inside.

Step 6: Cool Completely Before Topping

Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This takes patience, but it's necessary for the chocolate topping to set nicely without melting into the warm brownies.

Step 7: Prepare the Chocolate Topping

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine semi-sweet chocolate chips, unsalted butter, and Guinness stout. Microwave the mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring well in between, until smooth and the butter is fully melted. The warm stout intensifies the chocolate flavor, making this ganache wonderfully rich.

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Stir in the powdered sugar until your ganache turns silky and glossy. Pour it over the cooled brownies and spread evenly. Let the ganache set at room temperature, which usually takes a bit of time but is worth the wait. Using the parchment paper edges, lift the brownies out of the pan, cut into 12 bars, and enjoy that perfect blend of cakey, fudgy, and rich stout-infused chocolate.

Top Tip

Getting these Guinness Chocolate Brownies just right is all about understanding a few key details. These tips come from my own kitchen adventures and are designed to help you nail that perfect fudgy yet cakey texture every time.

Check for Moisture, Not Dryness: I’ve learned that pulling the brownies out right when a toothpick has a few moist crumbs ensures they stay fudgy. Overbaking dries them out and loses that wonderful gooey center.
Use Parchment Paper Overhang: Trust me, lining your pan with parchment paper that extends over the sides makes it so easy to lift the whole batch out when it’s time to slice. No struggling with spatulas or broken edges!
Gentle Mixing is Key: To keep your brownies tender, stir the flour and cocoa powder in just until combined. I used to overmix, and it made brownies tough instead of soft and moist.
Espresso Powder Boosts Flavor: Though optional, adding espresso powder enhances the chocolate notes without making it taste like coffee. It’s a subtle trick I always use for a richer depth.

How to Serve Guinness Chocolate Brownies Recipe

A clear glass bowl holds a thick, smooth dark brown chocolate mixture with a shiny surface. Inside the bowl, a silver whisk with thin metal wires is coated in the chocolate, resting in the center. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface that contrasts with the rich chocolate color, and the outer edge of the bowl reflects some soft light. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

These brownies shine on their own, but dressing them up is a delight too. Try dusting them lightly with powdered sugar for a pretty snowy finish or scatter some chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top of the ganache before it sets to add a lovely crunch. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side pairs beautifully, balancing the rich chocolate and stout flavors.

Side Dishes

Though these Guinness Chocolate Brownies are a dessert superstar, they also play well with a few sides. A fresh berry compote or a simple fruit salad adds a bright contrast. For something more indulgent, serve alongside a creamy Irish coffee or a rich hot chocolate to keep the cozy vibes going.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Guinness Chocolate Brownies in an airtight container to keep them fresh. They’re perfectly delicious at room temperature for up to 2 days. After that, because of the ganache topping, it’s best to refrigerate them to maintain their texture and taste. Try to enjoy them within 4-5 days for the freshest experience.

Freezing

If you want to make these brownies ahead of time, freezing works well. Wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They'll keep nicely for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.

Reheating

To revive that freshly baked warmth, you can gently warm a brownie in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Be careful not to overheat, or the ganache might soften too much. This quick step enhances the gooey texture and brings out the rich flavors beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different stout beer instead of Guinness?

Absolutely! While Guinness is the classic choice for its distinct flavor, any robust stout beer will work well and give your brownies a similar rich, complex taste.

Is the espresso powder necessary?

No, the espresso powder is optional. It simply enhances the chocolate flavor without making the brownies taste like coffee. If you don’t have it, you can safely leave it out.

How do I know when the brownies are done?

Check the brownies at 30 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center. They’re done when the toothpick comes out with a few moist, sticky crumbs. This ensures they remain fudgy rather than drying out.

Can I make these brownies gluten-free?

You can try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary. The texture might change slightly, so I recommend experimenting in small batches first.

Final Thoughts

Baking the perfect Guinness Chocolate Brownies is such a rewarding experience—the moist, fudgy texture combined with that subtle, malty depth from the stout beer is pure magic. I hope these tips and suggestions help you feel confident and excited to make this recipe your own. Whether for a cozy night in or sharing with friends, these brownies are sure to bring smiles and maybe even requests for seconds. Happy baking!