Name: Guinness Cream Cheese Frosted Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: Store-bought brownie mix ((This recipe used the Pillsbury brand)); 2 large eggs; ⅔ cup vegetable oil; ¼ cup Guinness Draught Stout ((Flat)); 6 oz of cream cheese ((softened)); ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter (softened); ½ cup of Guinness Draught Stout ((Flat)); Vanilla extract or paste; 4 cups of powdered sugar

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These easy Guinness Cream Cheese Frosted Brownies start with a simple store‑bought mix, so you can spend less time baking and more time partying. The boozy cream cheese frosting on top makes them feel instantly festive—perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations or any night you want a fun, grown‑up brownie treat.

Delicious brownies topped with creamy Guinness-infused cream cheese frosting, perfect for dessert or special occasions. Rich, moist, and flavorful with a hint of stout beer.

Serves: 9-12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients for the Brownies:

Store-bought brownie mix (this recipe used Pillsbury brand).
2 large eggs
⅔ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup Guinness Draught Stout (Flat)

Ingredients for the Frosting:

6 oz of cream cheese (softened)
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter (softened)
½ cup of Guinness Draught Stout (Flat)
Vanilla extract or paste
4 cups of powdered sugar

Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step-by-Step Directions:

Step 1: Set the oven to 350ºF. Generously grease a 9×9-inch or an 8×8 metal or glass pan with butter or baking spray.

Step 2: Pour the dry brownie mix into a big mixing bowl. Crack in the eggs, then add the oil and the Guinness. Grab a fork and stir everything together until there are no dry bits left and the batter looks smooth.

“Eggs, brownie mix, oil, and Guinness stout are about to be poured into the bowl.”

brownie batter in a white mixing bowl on the counter

Step 3: Pour the batter into your greased or lined pan and spread it out so it’s nice and even. If you’re using a regular brownie pan (about 9×9 inches), bake it for about 25-30 minutes. If you’re using a smaller 8×8‑inch pan, let it bake for 35–40 minutes instead. Take the pan out carefully, then let the brownies cool before adding frosting.

Delicious Guinness-infused brownies perfect for dessert or special occasions. Rich, moist, and flavorful with a hint of stout beer.

Step 4: To make the Guinness Cream Cheese Frosting, place the softened unsalted butter and cream cheese, along with the vanilla extract or paste, in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients together until smooth. Add the Guinness and mix until combined. Then gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until fully incorporated.

“In a white mixing bowl on the counter, creamed unsalted butter and cream cheese are ready for Guinness stout to be poured in.”

Cream cheese frosting with Guinness stout in a white mixing bowl on the counter.

Step 5: I like to place the frosting in the fridge to chill for 5–10 minutes, or until the brownies are completely cool and ready to be topped with the frosting. Top the cooled brownies with as much or as little of the chilled frosting you want and serve immediately. Place back into the refrigerator when not serving.

Note: The alcohol in the frosting will not burn off.

Cream cheese frosting with Guinness stout on a brownie square.

Tips:

Treat yourself to these lucky little brownies for St. Patrick’s Day or your next potluck party. And if you’re on a brownie adventure, don’t miss our other themed treats like Christmas-themed Peppermint Brownie Bites and spooky-good Halloween Brownies!

Guinness Cream Cheese Frosted Brownies

Delicious Guinness-infused brownies topped with creamy frosting, perfect for dessert or a special treat. Rich, moist, and flavorful with a hint of Irish stout.

The boozy cream cheese frosting on top makes them feel instantly festive!

Tara

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings

Equipment

8×8 or 9×9 baking dish
electric hand mixer

Ingredients

Ingredients for the Brownies:

Store-bought brownie mix (This recipe used the Pillsbury brand)
2 large eggs
⅔ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup Guinness Draught Stout (Flat)

Ingredients for the Frosting:

6 oz of cream cheese (softened)
½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter (softened)
½ cup of Guinness Draught Stout (Flat)
Vanilla extract or paste
4 cups of powdered sugar

Instructions

Set the oven to 350ºF. Generously grease a 9×9-inch metal or glass pan with butter or baking spray.
Pour the dry brownie mix into a big mixing bowl. Crack in the eggs, then add the oil and the Guinness. Grab a fork and stir everything together until there are no dry bits left and the batter looks smooth.
Pour the batter into your greased or lined pan and spread it out so it’s nice and even. If you’re using a regular brownie pan (about 9×9 inches), bake it for about 25-30 minutes. If you’re using a smaller 8×8‑inch pan, let it bake for 35–40 minutes instead. Take the pan out carefully, then let the brownies cool before adding frosting.
To make the Guinness Cream Cheese Frosting, place the softened unsalted butter and cream cheese, along with the vanilla extract or paste, in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients together until smooth. Add the Guinness and mix until combined. Then gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until fully incorporated.
I like to place the frosting in the fridge to chill for 5–10 minutes, or until the brownies are completely cool and ready to be topped with the frosting. Top the cooled brownies with as much or as little of the chilled frosting you want and serve immediately. Place back into the refrigerator when not serving.
Note: The alcohol in the frosting will not burn off.