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Theo Chocolate Stout Cake with Mint Whipped Cream

Mar 10 by Anita 9 Comments

Theo Chocolate Stout Cake

In the never-ending quest for the perfect chocolate cake, I realized that I’ve never tried a very popular variant, the chocolate stout cake. I’m not much of a beer drinker, which is why I’ve passed by this cake many times, but with St. Patrick’s Day coming up, I thought what better time to revisit my preconceptions? Also, hubby happens to be a big beer aficionado, so I figured I already had an in-house expert to pick out a cake-appropriate stout for me!

Theo Chocolate Stout Cake

The chocolate stout cake recipe I used is adapted from one I found in Theo Chocolate’s new cookbook. I’m in love with the cookbook; not only does it capture the quirky-casual charm of this Seattle chocolatier, but the recipes are original and intriguing. Instead of sticking to obvious basics like brownies and cookies, the cookbook covers a wide range of sweet and savory dishes, all using their baking chocolate, from chocolate granola to chocolate ravioli to cocoa nib infused vodka. I’m planning to go on a baking-with-chocolate bender, soon.

In the meantime, the chocolate stout cake filled my chocolate cravings and then some. It’s impressively big and rich-looking, and once you cut inside it doesn’t disappoint. The oil and sour cream make this an delectably moist cake, with a very soft and delicate crumb. I used a mix of Theo’s 70% and 85% bittersweet chocolate, which combined with cocoa powder gives it a dark chocolately richness. This is the stout Mike picked out; its chocolate and malty notes round out the cake and give it a deeper, more rounded finish.

Theo Chocolate Stout Cake slice

All cakes need a frosting. For the chocolate glaze, I considered flavoring it with Irish cream to keep with the St. Patrick’s day theme, but I decided not to go overboard with the alcohol and instead incorporated some of the individual elements into the glaze instead. Melted semisweet chocolate and cream are whisked together into a ganache, then enhanced with espresso powder, vanilla and almond extracts. The glaze is satisfying glossy and thick; if you want a thinner glaze you can always add a bit more cream. The coffee and almond notes really bring out the intense chocolate-ness of the cake, and using a lower percentage chocolate gives the glaze more sweetness, which I liked since the cake itself is not super sweet.

Finally, I couldn’t resist a final accompaniment. Hubby loves eating cake with whipped cream –  I’ve gotten used to seeing containers of cream in the refrigerator that I didn’t buy, apparently reserved for embellishing his evening dessert! In honor of the holiday, I added a bit of peppermint extract to some whipped cream (I didn’t color it green, but feel free to do so if you’re really in the spirit!), and it makes a great topping for the stout cake. Fantastic idea, hubby!

Theo Chocolate Stout Cake slice

This household is happy we tried the chocolate stout cake; between the two of us we finished off an alarmingly large amount of it in the last couple of days. We won’t wait for the next St. Patrick’s Day to make it again. And neither should you.

Theo Chocolate Stout Cake

Chocolate Stout Cake with Mint Whipped Cream
 
Print
adapted from Theo Chocolate cookbook
Author: Anita Chu
Recipe type: cake
Serves: One 10" bundt cake
Ingredients
Cake
  • ¼ cup (3/4 oz) plus 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, divided
  • 2 cups (9 oz) plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 cup stout, chocolate stout, or porter beer
  • 6 ounces 70%-85% dark chocolate, roughly chopped
  • 2 cups (14 oz) light brown sugar
  • 8 oz sour cream
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Glaze
  • 5 oz 60% semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder
  • ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
Whipped Cream
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar
  • ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Instructions
for the cake:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon of flour together in a small bowl. Spray inside of a 12-cup bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray, then dust with the cocoa powder mixture. Tap pan upside down to remove excess, then set aside.
  2. Combine remaining ¼ cup cocoa powder, stout and chocolate in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking regularly to prevent burning, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
  3. Remove saucepan from heat and add in brown sugar, sour cream, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, whisking between each addition.
  4. Place remaining 2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
  5. Add in liquid mixture and whisk to combine until very smooth with no lumps.
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 40-45 minutes, until tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean.
  7. Let cake cool in bundt pan on wire rack for about 10 minutes, then invert pan, remove cake, and let finish cooling on wire rack before glazing.
for the glaze:
  1. Combine chocolate, cream, vanilla extract, almond extract, and espresso powder in a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water.
  2. Cook on medium, stirring until chocolate is fully melted and combined.
  3. Remove from heat and add in butter. Stir until melted and fully incorporated. If glaze seems too thick, you can add in more cream and whisk to incorporate.
  4. Let glaze cool until it thickens and leaves a trail when you lift the whisk.
  5. Carefully pour glaze over cooled cake. Let glaze cool and set for about 1o minutes before serving.
for the whipped cream:
  1. Combine cream, sugar, and peppermint extract in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
  2. Whip on high speed until soft peaks form. Scoop out whipped cream into a bowl and serve alongside cake.
3.3.3070

 

Filed Under: Cakes, Chocolate, Cookbooks, Recipes, Reviews Tagged With: cake, chocolate, cookbook, mint whipped cream, review, st patrick's day, stout, theo chocolate

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Comments

  1. 1

    Liz says

    Mar 10 at 7:28 am

    My family wants frosting on their cakes, too, and chocolate is always preferred! Your Bundt looks fabulous!

    Reply
  2. 2

    The Food Hunter says

    Mar 10 at 1:41 pm

    You had me at chocolate cake and then I noticed the mint whipped cream….drooling

    Reply
  3. 3

    Jessica (Savory Experiments) says

    Mar 10 at 6:12 pm

    Holy chocolate! What I would give for a slice of this magnificent cake right now… along with a giant, frosty glass of milk.

    Reply
  4. 4

    Nutmeg Nanny says

    Mar 10 at 6:35 pm

    Oh man! This cake is calling my name! I love that you used stout and that glaze….yum!

    Reply
  5. 5

    Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says

    Mar 11 at 11:54 am

    I’ve never had cake with beer in it before… but I TOTALLY WANT IT!!! This looks so decadent and delish!

    Reply
  6. 6

    Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says

    Mar 11 at 3:34 pm

    Chocolate Stout Cake is one of my favorites and this looks so rich and moist. That glaze looks like perfection…I want a slice with a big scoop of ice cream!

    Reply
  7. 7

    Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says

    Mar 11 at 7:01 pm

    Wowza! This is a delicious cake perfect for the holiday. I love the complexity of a chocolate stout cake and either frosting or whipped cream works for my household – as long as chocolate is a factor 🙂

    Reply
  8. 8

    Rach's Recipes says

    Apr 12 at 8:19 pm

    Wow! This is a celebration-worthy cake that’s for sure! I’ve never made anything similar to this but I can’t wait to try it. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe.

    Reply
    • 9

      Anita says

      Apr 14 at 2:56 pm

      Thanks so much for the compliment!

      Reply

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about pastrygirl

Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, baby girl, and rescue cockapoo Snickerdoodle. More about pastrygirl

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