My husband always has a glass of dark Guinness with his classic brownies, so I knew they tasted good together. That was when the idea for a Guinness stout brownie totally hit me! I seriously owe him lots of hugs and kisses for inspiring one of my best-selling treats.

Why This Simple Guinness Dessert Has Everyone Obsessed

The deep, roasted flavor of the Guinness truly gives these brownies an edge! Its bitter kick nicely balances out the sweet chocolate — it’s basically a grown-up version of our classic brownie.
They’re perfect for ANY day when you’re craving chocolate, seriously! I also love enjoying them after a big, hearty meal, not to mention they’re a no-brainer for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!
Let’s talk about pairings! Coffee or tea really brings out the chocolate and coffee notes. Go for vanilla ice cream if you crave a creamy contrast or whipped cream so you have something lighter to go with the dense brownies. Heck, even a fruity wine pairs wonderfully with the earthy Guinness. No regret!

11 Basic Steps To Make Guinness Brownies

Step 1.

Grab a saucepan and pour in the Guinness. Crank up the heat to medium-high until it starts to boil! Once it’s bubbling away, dial the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 20 to 22 minutes. You want it to reduce down to about ⅔ cup.

Set it aside to chill for 10 to 15 minutes. We’ll use half of this magic brew in our brownies and save the rest for the frosting.

Step 2.

While the Guinness is cooling, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grab a 9” square pan and either grease it or line it with parchment paper or foil, leaving some overhang so we can lift the baked brownies out easily later. Ready? Great!

Step 3.

Next, toss the chopped chocolate and butter in a big microwave-safe bowl. Pop it in the microwave and melt it in short 30-second bursts, stirring after each burst until it’s velvety smooth!

Once that’s done, whisk in some granulated sugar and half a cup of that reduced Guinness we set aside earlier. Blend it all together until it’s completely mixed.

Step 4.

Now, whisk in the vanilla extract and large eggs. Last but not least, toss in the salt, flour, and some espresso powder (optional). Mix until everything is combined and the batter looks shiny and thick!

Step 5.

Pour or spread this superb mixture evenly into your prepared pan. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 32 minutes.

Step 6.

After that, give it the toothpick test: poke it in the center. If the toothpick comes out mostly clean with just a few wet crumbs stuck to it, your brownies are good to go. If it’s still moist, give them a couple more minutes and check again. These babies usually take about 37 minutes for me.

And there you have it!

Step 7.

Once your brownies are out of the oven, let them chill on a wire rack until they’re totally cool. This step is key before you start frosting or slicing them into squares!

Step 8.

Let’s whip up the frosting!

Grab a big bowl and a mixer (either stand or handheld). Toss in the butter and beat it at high mixer speed until it’s super creamy and smooth — that should take about 2 to 3 minutes of whipping.

Step 9.

Next, add in some confectioners’ sugar. Start mixing on low (about 30 seconds) to avoid a messy, powdered sugar cloud, then crank it up to high until everything’s creamy and mixed in.

Step 10.

Pour in 2 tbsp of that reduced Guinness we saved earlier, along with the vanilla extract, espresso powder, and a pinch of salt. Give it a taste test. If you like a bit more Guinness flavor, go ahead and add the rest. If the frosting feels too thick for your liking, splash in a bit of milk to loosen it up. Easy peasy.

Step 11.

Once your brownies are completely cooled (can’t stress that enough!), spread this delicious frosting all over them. Voilà, Guinness brownies with a killer frosting, ready to impress!

My Guinness chocolate cupcakes also taste REALLY amazing; try them out! Or, if you lack ideas to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day, check my easy Pistachio cake recipe!

Notes

1. Are you concerned about the alcohol content for whatever reason (for example, for your children’s sake)? In that case, simmering Guinness for 10-15 minutes can remove most of the alcohol. It worked great for me every time!

2. Just a small amount of espresso powder adds insane depth to the chocolate flavor without turning your brownies into something coffee-y!

But what if you don’t even have espresso powder? No worries. In a pinch, you can still use a tablespoon of strong-brewed coffee (though the flavor won’t be quite the same) or even leave it out altogether.

3. Remember this golden rule: the shorter the baking time, the fudgier the brownies!

Yep, a longer baking time will give you a drier, cakier texture. So, check the brownies a few minutes before the recommended baking time in my recipe. As always, use my classic toothpick test!

FAQs

How Long Can I Store These Brownies?

Guinness brownies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to A WEEK! Yup, and they will still be delicious, though the texture might dry out slightly.

For longer storage, just freeze them for up to 2 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container. Easy peasy!