There is no better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with a Guinness stout, but have you ever imagined that you can also enjoy the famous beer as an ingredient in chocolate brownies?
No, I am not talking about drinking this iconic thick, dark and malty beer with a standard chocolate brownie. Instead, the beer is condensed into a thicker liquid and then mixed in the brownie batter.
But it gets even better. These brownies are topped with a delicious frosting that also includes the Guinness stout reduction.
The combination of ingredients results in a fudgy, chocolatey dessert with the complex, slightly bitter notes of Ireland’s most famous stout. It is the perfect balance of how the beer enhances the chocolate flavor without overpowering it that makes the brownies so delicious.
Whether you’re hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party or simply looking for a unique treat to enjoy, these Guinness Brownies are sure to impress your family and friends.
Why You’ll Love These Guinness Brownies
I am the first one to admit that I love all types of brownies. However these brownies have become a family favorite and one that is requested not only on St. Patrick’s day, but several times throughout the year.
First, the texture is fudgy, dense, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The reduced Guinness adds a unique twist, infusing the brownies with a hint of malty sweetness and a touch of bitterness that perfectly balances the sweetness of the chocolate.
Second, these brownies can be served for any occasion. They’re perfect for serving at St. Patrick’s Day parties, gifting to friends, or enjoying as a special treat with your afternoon coffee. I love to serve them as a dessert after enjoying a bowl of Irish Beef Stew.
Finally, this recipe is incredibly easy to make. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you can cook up a batch of these brownies in no time. The hardest part is waiting for the Guinness to reduce, however you can do this a day or two in advance to make the recipe come together even quicker.
Guinness Brownies Recipe
*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.
Brownie Ingredients
- 12-ounce bottle Guinness stout beer – Adds moisture, enhances the chocolate flavor with malty depth, and provides a subtle bitterness that balances the sweetness of the brownies.
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter – Adds richness, moisture, and a tender texture to the brownies. The fat helps create that fudgy consistency.
- 1 1/3 cups high-quality bittersweet chocolate chips – The main source of deep chocolate flavor. Bittersweet chocolate keeps the brownies from being overly sweet.
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar – Sweetens the brownies and helps create a slightly crackly top.
- 3 large eggs, room temperature – Provide structure, moisture, and richness. They also help bind the ingredients together.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor and rounds out the bitterness from the Guinness and chocolate.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – The main dry ingredient that gives structure to the brownies. Too much flour can make them cakey, while just enough keeps them dense and chewy.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – Balances sweetness and enhances the flavors of the chocolate and Guinness.
Frosting Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature – The base of the frosting, adding creaminess and richness. It also helps create a smooth texture.
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar – Sweetens the frosting while also providing structure and a smooth, creamy consistency.
- 2–3 Tablespoons reduced Guinness – The same concentrated Guinness that is added to the brownies is also included in the frosting to give it a bold, malty, slightly caramelized flavor that is the perfect compliment to the brownies.
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract – Enhances the overall sweetness and depth of flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness in the frosting and enhances all the other flavors.
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Reduce the Guinness
Start by reducing the Guinness stout beer. Pour the entire bottle of Guinness into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Let it cook down until it reduces to about 2/3 cup. This process intensifies the flavor, ensuring your brownies have that signature Guinness taste without being too overpowering. Set the reduced Guinness aside to cool slightly.
Step 2: Prepare the Brownie Batter
In a large microwave safe bowl add the butter and chocolate chips. Melt on high power in 30 second increments, whisking after each, until the mixture just melts and is completely smooth and uniform in texture.
Add the sugar and 1/2 cup of reduced Guinness (save the remaining Guinness for later) and mix until completely incorporated. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk until just combined. Whisk in the flour and salt until no dry ingredients are visible and the batter is uniform in texture. The batter will be thick and fudgy, which is exactly what we want for these brownies.
Step 3: Bake the Brownies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal. Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan, using a spatula to smooth the top.
Bake the brownies for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are firm and the center is just slightly soft. Insert a toothpick in the center and if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the brownies are ready to come out of the oven. Be careful not to overbake them, as we want them to be fudgy, not cake like.
Step 4: Cool and Frost
Once the brownies are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan. This step is crucial as it allows the brownies to set and makes them easier to cut. Once cooled use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan. Then transfer them to a cutting board.
Then mix the frosting ingredients together (including the remaining reduced Guinness stout) and use an off-set spatula to frost the top of the brownies. Cut the brownies into 20 squares and serve.
These Guinness Brownies are the perfect sweet treat for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration, especially when you enjoy one after a bowl of Irish Beef Stew. However, once you take a bite, you will want to make these brownies for every special occasion – they are that good!
Enjoy! Mary
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Guinness Brownies
Rich and fudgy Guinness brownies made with dark stout beer for a deep, chocolatey flavor. Perfect for dessert lovers, especially on St. Patrick's Day.
Ingredients
- 12-ounce bottle Guinness stout beer
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 1/3 cups high quality bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1 and 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Frosting Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2–3 Tablespoons reduced Guinness
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add the entire bottle of Guinness and place over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil and then reduce to medium heat and allow to simmer until the liquid is reduced down to 2/3 cup - this will take approximately 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and spray a 8 or 9 inch square baking pan with non-stick baking spray or line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. Set aside.
- In a large microwave safe bowl add the butter and chocolate chips. Melt on high power in 30 second increments, whisking after each, until the mixture just melts and is completely smooth and uniform in texture.
- Add the sugar and 1/2 cup of reduced Guinness (save the liquid for the frosting) and mix until completely incorporated.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk until just combined.
- Whisk in the flour and salt until no dry ingredients are visible.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 32-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies comes out mostly clean. A few wet crumbs are okay, you just don't want to have wet batter on the toothpick.
- Remove the pan from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frosting Instructions: In a large bowl add the butter and beat on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar, beating on low at first then increasing the speed until, the mixture is completely combined. Then add in 2 Tablespoons of the reduced Guinness liquid, vanilla extract, and salt. Depending on the thickness of the frosting, you may need to add more of the Guinness reduction or a little milk to thin it out.
- Once the frosting is at your desired consistency frost the brownies (be sure to wait until they are completely cooled).
- Store leftover brownies in a covered container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Notes
Recipe provided by Make Your Meals