Guinness Chocolate Pudding or Chocolate Guinness Goodness

Everywhere I look food bloggers are preparing celebratory dishes for St. Patrick’s day in the same way, with Guinness!

While I claim to love everything, (it’s a growing problem) I have to say that extra dark stout beers are not high on the list.  The last dark beer I tried was on the aforementioned (previous post) Scotland trip, and I didn’t even drink half of what was given to me. It was good, but so filling! Afterward, I felt like I had eaten a large, yeasty piece of bread. My husband on the other hand, likes them just fine.  When I saw this recipe for chocolate pudding made with Guinness I knew it would be something we both could appreciate.

The recipe comes from epicurious.com.  There’s a nice little write-up from the chef who concocted it and dubbed it “Chocolate Guinness Goodness”.  You’ll find it here under “editor’s note”.

The finished dessert mimics a frothy pint of stout.  Using a 70-ish% dark chocolate will yield the nicest dark stout appearance. I’m not quite sure if my chocolate had the right percentage of cacao.  I had several unmarked blocks in my stash so I just used what looked darkest.

I like the ease and simplicity of this recipe. The main players are the usual: egg yolks, sugar and cream.

The cream and stout are cooked together in a sauce pan until slightly bubbly, but not boiling.

The chopped dark chocolate is then added to the hot cream and stout mixture.  I added a little dark cocoa powder for extra color and also because I wasn’t sure if my chocolate was dark enough. I think both color and flavor turned out really nice!

One thing that I altered slightly was the topping (or “froth”) that consists of freshly whipped cream and a Guinness reduction.  For me, leaving this component unsweetened was really off-putting.  It had a yeasty, flat taste that I just couldn’t get off my tongue.  I added 3 tablespoons of sugar and it became much more harmonious with the sweetened chocolate pudding. The topping is definitely the most Guinness-like tasting portion of this dessert.  If you are serving this to little ones, you may want to make a plain vanilla topping and forgo the Guinness reduction completely.

The Guinness reduction is really quite beautiful to look at.  After about 20 minutes of simmering, the stout becomes a rich amber color and a little syrupy in consistency. 

Ingredients

4large egg yolks
½cup sugar plus 3 tbsp.
cups Guinness Stout
cups heavy cream
4ounces high-quality bittersweet (70 to 72% cacao) chocolate, finely chopped

Directions

In large nonreactive mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar.

Open can of Guinness and slowly pour into 4-cup measuring cup, pouring down side of cup to reduce foaming. Pour 1/2 cup of Guinness into heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add 1 1/4 cups cream and whisk to combine. Set over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until bubbles just begin to form at edges. Remove from heat, add chocolate and whisk until smooth.

Slowly pour hot chocolate mixture into eggs, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Return mixture to saucepan and set over moderately low heat.

Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens. Divide pudding among glasses, leaving at least 1 inch of space at top of each. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled and set.

Meanwhile, pour 1 cup of Guinness into small saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to moderately low and simmer, uncovered, until reduced to 1 tablespoon, about 20 minutes. Pour syrup into small bowl and let cool.

Beat remaining cream and 3 tbsp. sugar until soft peaks form. Add 1 tsp. (or more to your liking) of the Guinness syrup and beat until combined. Divide cream among 4-6 glasses of pudding and serve.

To me, the chocolate pudding portion tastes much like a brownie.  It’s strange, the Guinness adds a certain something…. something I cannot adequately explain.  I would never know I was having stout with my pudding, if it were not for the cream topping.  

This recipe is certainly a keeper.  My picky husband likes it and I’m sure that those passionate about stouts will love it too.

I think Guinness just got a little higher on my “love” list.  However, at the top of the list is my favorite Black-and-Tan…

…who couldn’t be bothered to lift his head for a photograph!  He had this comment: “zzzzzzzzzzzzz”.

Your Pal,

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the wicked noodle
the wicked noodle
14 years ago

Heather, this sounds too good NOT to try! This year I'll be making my usual Guinness Corned Beef, and this sounds like the perfect dessert – thanks!

Sherryl
Sherryl
14 years ago

Wowza!!! Chocolate and beer – my husband will go nuts!

Unknown
Unknown
14 years ago

omg! This will be perfect for a friend's bday that is coming up! Thanks! YUM!

Kim @ http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com

Gala
Gala
14 years ago

Yuuum! I wonder what else goes good with guinness except of chocolate, maybe white chocolate would be and interesting try!

Erika from The Pastry Chef At Home
Erika from The Pastry Chef At Home
14 years ago

Really cute presentation!

My sister refers to Guinness as "a meal in a glass." I didn't think there was anyway to make Guinness palatable to me, but pudding form sounds like something I can totally handle.

ps: Your illustration with your dog (and cake!) is so cool!

Meghan
Meghan
14 years ago

oh, this looks absolutely delicious! i really like the process photos, too — helps to see what "bubbling but not boiling" actually looks like.
and your pup is adorable.

where did you get the little jars you served it in? i love them!

Lot-O-Choc
Lot-O-Choc
14 years ago

Oooh wow these look so good, i love the little jars as well, so cute hehe 🙂

Andre Nievo
Andre Nievo
14 years ago

Nice idea. Gotta surprise my friends with this.

Diane Schmidt
Diane Schmidt
14 years ago

Oh so cute! Very clever idea.

Trish
Trish
14 years ago

My hubby & I both LOVE Guiness, but we always end up with a random bottle or so in the fridge. Can't wait to try out the recipe! (And I love the jars too!)

Sue
Sue
14 years ago

You always find such original recipes, and this is no exception! I'm not a beer drinker, but this sure looks fabulous! Love your presentation:) Doesn't epicurious have great recipes?!?

Cozy pup:)

Lisa
Lisa
14 years ago

These look delicious. I love the way you have these looking like a glass of Guinness 🙂

test it comm
test it comm
14 years ago

Those look so good! Great idea!

Ingrid_3Bs
Ingrid_3Bs
14 years ago

Is there nothing you make that isn't spot on perfect?

Love your sweet doggie.
~ingrid

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
14 years ago

Thank you everyone for such nice comments!

To Meghan and the others asking about the jars – they are spice jars! I use them without the lid for verrines and puddings. You can find them at most home goods stores. I think they were .99 cents per jar. Cute and a good deal too!

Kathleen
Kathleen
14 years ago

Heather, what a great idea for St. Pattys! Your puppy is tooooo adorable!

Cat
Cat
14 years ago

As always Heather, everything looks so good I could lick my computer screen!! Not being much of a beer drinker (well, actually, I don't like the stuff at all!), I might not make this unless it was for someone else, but I think the idea is fabulous! But, of course, this is not surprising, it's a SprinkleBakes idea!! Have a great St. Pattys!! Cat

dognbird
dognbird
14 years ago

This looks delicious and it's so attractive. Well done!

anna
anna
14 years ago

Yum! I'm not a big fan of stouts either but I love them in chocolate desserts. I love that the puddings look like little glasses of Guinness. Too cute!

chocolatecup
chocolatecup
14 years ago

i have never used beer in any of my recipes before because i dont drink much beer. stout is a kind of beer right? correct me if i am wrong! your choc pudding looks soooo creamily delicious incorporating stout that i just might get that bottle of stout tomorrow:)

Mara Campbell
Mara Campbell
14 years ago

My hubby is a huge beer snob…I mean connisour (I know I spelled that wrong) and I need to make this for him! I bet he would love it. TFS!!!

~Appetite for Conversation~
~Appetite for Conversation~
14 years ago

This is my first time on your site, and I LOVE your pictures! I have yet to try a chocolate ~ Guinness combination, but I must try soon. Thanks!

Monkeyface
Monkeyface
14 years ago

Heather… that looks delicious, I'm going to be making that soon! Thanks!

TheoGB
TheoGB
14 years ago

Looks good. 🙂 I wonder how this would taste if it was made with a bottle of Young's Double Chocolate Stout

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/664/73

I guess you probably have similar stuff in the States somewhere.

Thanks.

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets
14 years ago

What adorable jars and toppers you used. The pudding sounds delicious too. My bf and I have pretty different taste in food as well, so I love how you found a way to meet in the middle.

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

I made this for St. Patty's day and it came out great. As I told you on Twitter, I added a 1/2 shot of Bailey's to the Whipped topping and it brought it to a whole new level of awesome!

Rosanna
Rosanna
13 years ago

this looks delicious! i think i'm going to give making it a try 🙂

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

yummmy… def wanna try it. 😀 not that i like guinness much on its own, but when it's been reduced and put into pudding ?!?!?! yum!

Lisa and Jason
Lisa and Jason
13 years ago

Wow, Guinness is my fav! What a great recipe, can't wait to give this one a try. Love your picture presentations–great, clear photos and so helpful.

Cassie
Cassie
13 years ago

Which store did you find those particular spice jars at? I haven't been able to find any with the shape that I like.

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Hi Cassie,
I got mine at Cost Plus World Market. They have an online store, but I could not find them on the website. I believe they are only available in-store. They are in the housewares section and are .99 cents each. They have a glass lid with a plastic ring (to seal airtight) around the edge. I have seen them at Bed, Bath and Beyond too, but more recently at World Market.

Cassie
Cassie
13 years ago

ok, thank you! – I was able to find the yogurt jars… but only in France =p

Domino
Domino
13 years ago

I've made this recipe twice now and they've been a big hit! It's very easy to make and your pictures are gorgeous. The two notes I made on the recipe after making it were: where you say to mix the chocolate & egg over medium heat till it thickens, I found it's almost impossible to tell when it's thickened. About 5 minutes seemed to do it, but it doesn't really thicken the way a white sauce does so this was a little confusing the first time. The other change I made was that I actually doubled the amount of topping.… Read more »

Corinne
Corinne
13 years ago

where do you get your little jars?

สถานที่ท่องเที่ยว
สถานที่ท่องเที่ยว
13 years ago

Yuuum! I wonder what else goes good with guinness except of chocolate, maybe white chocolate would be and interesting try!

Cassandra Dias
Cassandra Dias
13 years ago

My boyfriend would love these!

xo,
Cassie
(Moon Face)

Michelle {lovely little things}
Michelle {lovely little things}
13 years ago

This sounds delightful!

acheter kamagra
acheter kamagra
13 years ago

Salut Cassie,
J'ai eu le mien au prix coûtant majoré du marché mondial. Ils ont une boutique en ligne, mais je ne pouvais pas les trouver sur le site. Je crois qu'ils sont uniquement disponibles en magasin. Ils sont dans la section articles ménagers et 99 cents chacune. Ils ont un couvercle en verre avec un anneau en plastique (à fermeture hermétique) sur le pourtour. Je les ai vus à l 'Bed, Bath and Beyond aussi, mais plus récemment au marché mondial.

best ed solution
best ed solution
13 years ago

oh how delicious it looks never seen or tasted anything like it!

Chrome Handles
Chrome Handles
13 years ago

This pics are making me crazy
yummy!

Stephanie
Stephanie
13 years ago

Oooh, I love me some Guinness. And Extra Stout…even better! I just bought a 6-pack yesterday to experiment with fun dishes for St. Patty's Day! 🙂 I love how you presented them in tiny glass jars. Lovely.

Fresh and Foodie
Fresh and Foodie
13 years ago

I love this! I'm obsessed with trying to work beer or booze into recipes — can you blame me? This looks lovely and your pictures are beautiful. There's nothing better than chocolate pudding…until you add Guinness!

the decorated cookie
the decorated cookie
13 years ago

Brilliant! Amazing! Gorgeous! Wow, your photos are incredible. I crumpled a spoon on my computer screen trying to get some. I posted a link on ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com 🙂

Aubrey
Aubrey
13 years ago

I had this at a restaurant and it was amazing!! I don't even like beer, but it was love at first bite!! They used little pint pilsner glasses to serve it in and it made an amazing presentation. It looks just like a pint of Guinness.

Astrologer in India
Astrologer in India
13 years ago

Woow after watching this beauty full images i start feeling hungry.

elizabeth
elizabeth
12 years ago

wow – my husband may love you for posting this – I must try this – love the Guinness on a stick also!!

ULiNe
ULiNe
12 years ago

I love them both, guinness and chocolate. Will try this! Thanks for sharing. ^__^

katie
katie
12 years ago

I love this idea!! amazing!!

acheter viagra en ligne
acheter viagra en ligne
12 years ago

J'ai eu ce dans un restaurant et c'était incroyable! Je n'ai même pas comme la bière, mais c'était de l'amour à la première bouchée! Ils ont utilisé des verres à bière petite pinte pour le servir et il en a fait une présentation étonnante. Il ressemble à une pinte de Guinness.

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

Say, you got a nice article.Much thanks again. Will read on…
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