Ingredients

  • 1 cup Guinness extra stout or dark beer
  • 1 cup mild-flavored (light) molasses
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
  • 1 cup finely chopped pistachios
  • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Method

  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Butter and flour three 8-inch-diameter cake pans.
  • Bring stout and molasses to boil in heavy medium saucepan over high heat.
  • Remove from heat; stir in baking soda.
  • Let stand 1 hour to cool completely.
  • Whisk flour and next 6 ingredients in large bowl to blend.
  • Whisk eggs and both sugars in medium bowl to blend.
  • Whisk in oil, then stout mixture.
  • Gradually whisk stout-egg mixture into flour mixture.
  • Stir in fresh ginger.
  • Divide batter among prepared pans.
  • Bake until tester inserted into centers of cakes comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
  • Cool cakes in pans 15 minutes.
  • Invert cakes onto racks; cool.
  • (Can be made 1 day ahead.
  • Wrap each cake separately in plastic and keep at room temperature.)
  • Preheat oven to 325F.
  • Line large baking sheet with foil.
  • Mix pistachios and corn syrup in medium bowl.
  • Add sugar and toss to coat.
  • Working quickly so sugar doesn't melt, spread pistachios on prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake until pistachios are pale golden, about 8 minutes.
  • Cool completely.
  • (Can be made 1 day ahead.
  • Store airtight at room temperature.)
  • Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter, and orange peel in large bowl until fluffy.
  • Gradually beat in powdered sugar.
  • Chill frosting 30 minutes.
  • Place 1 cake layer, rounded side up, on platter.
  • Spread 3/4 cup frosting over.
  • Top with second cake layer, rounded side up, then spread 3/4 cup frosting over.
  • Top with third cake layer, flat side up.
  • Spread top and sides of cake with remaining frosting.
  • Sprinkle top of cake with candied pistachios.
  • (Can be made 1 day ahead.
  • Cover and refrigerate.
  • Bring to room temperature before serving.)
  • Cut cake into wedges and serve.