Guinness Cake

David's birthday is in 2 weeks and I think this year I'm making a big celebration out of it. I'm going all Susie Homemaker on his ass and giving him a birthday he'll never forget (besides the one last year where he spent it sitting on the beach on our honeymoon). I found this recipe on Oprah.com and I thought it was something that everyone would like and it sticks with the theme. (I'm throwing him a party at an Irish pub.)
Now I know that the other ladies who participate in giving you these delicious recipes don't drink but if Oprah can have it then so can you! Plus the alcohol burns anyways. Why not make a cake any hard working husband can enjoy?
(Oprah says if you don't want to add the beer then substitute it for milk, it will still taste good)

Ingredients:Makes about 16 1-inch slices

16 tablespoons (1/2 pound) butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cardamom
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 2/3 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 cup Guinness® stout
6 eggs
8 ounces cream cheese , softened
1/2 cup butter , softened
1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars. In another bowl, mix together the baking powder, spices, salt, flour and cocoa. At the very last moment, add the Guinness to the eggs. (Don't let it sit too long, or the alcohol will begin to cook the eggs!)Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture and blend, then add half of the wet ingredients. Repeat this process until all the ingredients are combined.

Pre-heat the oven to 350°, and line the bottom of at least two 9-inch diameter cake pans with wax paper. (Use as many layers as you like for your own cake.) Divide the batter between pans, and bake until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cakes in pans for about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack and peel off the wax paper. Let the layers cool completely before frosting.

In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until mixed, then beat in the sugar. Finally, add the vanilla.Place one cake layer, bottom side up, on a platter. Spread with frosting, then top with another layer, bottom side down. Repeat with each layer, then spread the remaining frosting smoothly over the top and sides of the cake