Chocolate Guinness Cake

Ingredients:

• 250ml Guinness
• 250g unsalted butter
• 75g cocoa powder
• 400g caster sugar
• 142ml sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 275g plain flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda

For the Topping:

• 300g cream cheese
• 150g icing sugar
• 125ml double cream (or whipping cream)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Butter and line a 23cm (9-inch) springform tin.
2. Prepare the Guinness Mixture: Pour the Guinness into a large wide saucepan, add the butter in spoons or slices and heat until the butter is melted. Whisk in the cocoa and sugar.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla, then pour into the Guinness mixture.
4. Combine with Dry Ingredients: Whisk in the flour and bicarbonate of soda until smooth.
5. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Leave to cool completely in the tin on a cooling rack.
6. Make the Topping: Lightly whip the cream cheese until smooth, sieve over the icing sugar and beat to combine. Add the cream and beat again until it makes a spreadable consistency.
7. Assemble the Cake: When the cake is cold, place it on a flat platter or cake stand and ice the top with the cream cheese mixture so that it resembles the frothy top of a pint of Guinness.

This Chocolate Guinness Cake by Nigella Lawson is a delightful treat that combines rich flavors and a moist texture, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion. Enjoy!