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    Home » Bars » Brownies

    Guinness Chocolate Brownies Baileys Frosting

    By Elizabeth Waterson // Mar 4, 2019 (Updated Jun 8, 2025) // 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·5 from 2 reviews
    This post may contain affiliate links, which may pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting Confessions of a Baking Queen!

    2.1K shares
    two guinness brownies with a baileys frosting stacked on top of each other

    Guinness Chocolate Brownies with Baileys Frosting are rich decadent bars perfect for St. Paddy's or another celebration!

    three guinness brownies stacked on top of each other

    I originally posted this recipe 6 years ago, March 5, 2013, hard to believe it's been that long. While I enjoy this recipe the brownies are a bit cakier than I normally like. Last year I posted my chewy brownie recipe, it took me like 20 tries to get it right. So I played around with that recipe to create this new version of Guinness Brownies.

    I much prefer the new version but if you are looking for the old recipe I have kept it at the bottom of the post.  

    These Guinness Chocolate Brownies with Baileys  Frosting are spectacular but don't be scared- the stout flavor is not over powering, Guinness actually enhances the chocolate flavor. The Bailey's frosting is another story!

    guinness brownie with baileys frosting tilted up on more brownies

    This recipe is quite easy to make. You can easily make the brownies and the frosting the day before. You could even make the Baileys Swiss Meringue Buttercream a few days before and store it in the fridge. When ready to frost take the Swiss meringue buttercream out of the fridge and set on the counter to come to room temperature, re-whip the frosting when at room temperature.

    Let's get to the recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Instructions
    • What frosting to use
    • What size should I cut the brownies
    • Fancy some more Guinness Baking
    • Recipe Card
    • Recipe Ratings & Comments
    two guinness brownies with a baileys frosting stacked on top of each other

    Instructions

    In a large pot add the Guinness and let it cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, you want the mixture to reduce by 50% so you are left with a concentrated 3oz of Guinness flavor.

    reduced guinness butter and sugar in a metal pot

    Once the Guinness has reduced add the butter and sugar. Let it all cook on low heat until the butter has melted the sugar is completely incorporated. Cooking the sugar helps create that chewy brownie with a crinkly top.

    Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes then transfer to a bowl, whisk in the cocoa powder and vegetable oil, mixing until fully combined.

    cocoa powder added to guinness mixture in a glass bowl
    guinness chocolate mixture in a glass bowl with a whisk

    Next, add the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk. Whisk to combine.

    Add the baking soda, salt, cornstarch and mix to combine.

    egg and egg yolk added to brownie batter in a glass bowl
    baking soda, salt, and cornstarch added to brownie batter in a glass bowl

    Gently add the flour by using a spatula to fold in until just combined, just before there are no flour streaks add your chocolate chunks/ chips.

    flour and chocolate chunks added to a bowl of brownie batter

    Do not over mix, this will affect the end product.

    guinness brownie batter in a large glass bowl

    Pour into prepared pan and bake 25-27 minutes, or until when you stick a toothpick in no liquid batter comes out just moist crumbs.

    What frosting to use

    You definitely don't have to frost these brownies but why not! 😉

    At the bottom of this post, there is the old recipe for a Baileys Cream Cheese Frosting but I now prefer a Baileys Swiss Meringue Buttercream. I have created a post with step-by-step photos to help you make the frosting. Swiss meringue buttercream is smooth and luscious with a silky texture, and it's not overly sweet, which works perfectly against these rich brownies.

    I use an offset spatula to create nice swirls of the frosting.

    hand holding an offset spatula spreading baileys frosting on top of guinness brownies

    What size should I cut the brownies

    These brownies are rich and decadent, so I like to cut into smaller pieces. I cut 4 rows and 4 columns, for an even 16 pieces. To store the brownies I keep them in an airtight container on the counter, unless in a warm environment store in the fridge.

    If you are a chocoholic then make these!

    guinness brownie with baileys frosting on a white surface with a bite missing

    Fancy some more Guinness Baking

    • Guinness Chocolate Cookies
    • Chewy Guinness Gingerbread Cookies
    • Guinness Gingerbread Cake Recipe
    • Guinness Cupcakes
    guinness brownies with baileys frosting on white surface

    ★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

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    Recipe Card

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    guinness brownie with baileys frosting on a white surface with a bite missing

    Guinness Chocolate Brownies Baileys Frosting

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 2 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Rich, Chocolate Brownies made with Guinness Stout are topped with a Bailey's infused Cream Cheese Frosting. The perfect Irish treat to celebrate St. Patrick's Day or a lovely boozy treat for your next party!

    • Total Time: 1 hour
    • Yield: 9-16 Pieces 1x

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 3oz (¼ Cup + 2 Tablespoons) Guinness (reduced from 6oz ¾ Cup)
    • 1oz (2 Tbsp) Unsalted Butter
    • 250 Grams(1 ¼ cups) Granulated Sugar
    • 90 Grams (¾ cups) Dutch-process Cocoa Powder
    • 3.5oz (scant ½ cup) Vegetable Oil
    • 2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
    • 1 Large Egg Yolk and 1 Large Egg, at room temp.
    • ⅛ Teaspoon Baking Soda
    • ½ Teaspoon Salt
    • 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch/ Cornflour
    • 75 Grams (scant ⅔ cup) All-Purpose Flour/ Plain Flour
    • 2oz (¼ cup) Chocolate (chips, chunks, or bars chopped)
    • ½ Recipe of Baileys Swiss Meringue Buttercream

    Instructions

    1. In a large pot add the Guinness and let it cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, you want the mixture to reduce by 50% so you are left with a concentrated 3oz of Guinness flavor. Preheat the oven to 350F/180C and line a 9-inch square pan with foil so that it overhangs on the sides then grease the foil heavily with non-stick baking spray.
    2. Once the Guinness has reduced add the butter and sugar. Let it all cook on low heat until the butter has melted the sugar is completely incorporated. Cooking the sugar helps create that chewy brownie with a crinkly top. Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes then transfer to a bowl.
    3. Add the cocoa powder and vegetable oil to the cooled Guinness mixture, making sure to mix until fully combined.
    4. Next, add the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk. Whisk to combine. Add the baking soda, salt, cornstarch and mix to combine. Gently add the flour by using a spatula to fold in until just combined, just before there are no flour streaks add your chocolate chunks/ chips. Do not over mix, this will affect the end product.
    5. Pour into prepared pan and bake 25-27 minutes, or until when you stick a toothpick in no liquid batter comes out just moist crumbs. Let cool completely before frosting. 
    6. Use an offset spatula to create nice swirls of the frosting cut into pieces, I like 16 pieces as they are quite sweet. Store the brownies at room temperature unless in a warm environment store in the fridge. 

    Equipment

    square baking pan

    9-inch square pan

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    Small Angled Spatula

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    • Author: Elizabeth Waterson
    • Prep Time: 25 minutes
    • Cook Time: 35 minutes
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Bake
    • Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @confessionsofabakingqueen on Instagram and hashtag it #cbqbakes

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    This recipe was updated on 3/4/19 - Here is the original recipe: 

    guinness brownies with baileys frosting on a blue plate on top of a pink tea towel
    • 4oz (1 stick ) Salted Butter
    • ½ heaping cup of Choc chips
    • ½ cup cocoa powder
    • 4oz (½ cup) Guinness Stout ( I simmered about ¾ cup until it reduced so the flavor was more intense)
    • 200 Grams (1 cup) Granulated Sugar
    • 2 Large Eggs, at room temp.
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla
    • 110 Grams (1 scant cup) All-Purpose Flour
    • 3 oz cream cheese, at room temp.
    • 4oz (½ cup) Baileys Irish Cream
    • 2 ½ - 3 cups powdered sugar
    1. Melt butter and Choc chips together over double broiler once combined whisk in cocoa powder let sit for a few minutes
    2. Then whisk in Guinness.
    3. Mix in sugar, eggs one at a time and vanilla fold in flour
    4. Bake at 350F for 35 minutes in a 9X9 pan greased well. Bake until toothpick comes out clean let cool completely before frosting
    5. Beat 3 oz cream cheese for 2 minutes add ¼ cup Baileys and 2-3 cups powdered sugar beat for 3-4 minutes until completely combined and fluffy. Make sure to scrape down sides. Spread on top of brownies.

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

      If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating ⭐ when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. I am incredibly grateful for your support! —xx Liz

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    1. Jenny Halstead says

      March 18, 2019 at 7:41 am

      Made these brownies for st. Patrick’s day and they were a hit!!! So delicious!! Trying to control myself by not eating the whole tray!!

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        March 18, 2019 at 9:11 am

        Thank you for the lovely review Jenny!!

        Reply
    2. KP says

      March 17, 2021 at 8:33 am

      The 'updated' recipe doesn't include the oven temperature...? I'm going to go with 350F since that's what you say in the first recipe, but just FYI.

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Waterson says

        March 17, 2021 at 1:31 pm

        Hi KP, thanks for reaching out! The oven temperature is actually listed in step one after reducing the Guinness since I don't think it's necessary to have your oven on that whole time. Sorry if it wasn't clear for you. Please let me know if I can help with anything else or how you like the brownies! Happy St. Patrick's Day! XX Liz

        Reply
    3. DL says

      March 16, 2025 at 12:15 pm

      I have made this recipe for the past 3/4 years for St Patrick's Day and bring them in to my coworkers. They start reminding/asking about them in January. I cut them and place in a cupcake paper, add icing with a cake decorating tip and sprinkle a bit of green. Thank you for sharing this recipe! LOVE these brownies!

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Waterson says

        March 17, 2025 at 4:49 pm

        Thank you so much for the lovely review, I really appreciate it! I love that this is your tradition, so much of my baking has been sharing with coworkers!! Happy Paddy's! XX Liz

        Reply

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    Hiya! I am Elizabeth Waterson, welcome to my treat-filled site. After spending 15 years in the restaurant industry and growing up baking, I wanted to share my love of baking with you all. My step-by-step tutorials will help you learn how to bake at home. Confessions of a Baking Queen (CBQ) has been featured in CBS LA, HuffPost Taste, BuzzFeed, Taste of Home, and more! Here you will find loads of sweet recipes with a few savory ones for good measure. Feel free to message me with any questions! Happy Baking! 

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