If you have ever wanted to master a comforting, hearty bread packed with flavor and tradition, this Irish Guinness Brown Bread Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s rich, moist, and has a delightful crumb thanks to the combination of whole wheat flour, Guinness stout, and a touch of molasses. This bread brings together the wholesome essence of Irish baking with a subtle depth from the stout, perfect for cozy mornings or as a side with your favorite stew. The process is simple yet rewarding, making it a wonderful staple to bake again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Irish Guinness Brown Bread Recipe lies in its straightforward, wholesome ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in building the bread’s wonderful texture, flavor, and rustic charm. From the hearty whole wheat flour to the bold Guinness stout, every element brings something special to the loaf.
- Whole wheat flour: Provides structure and a nutty, earthy base.
- Old fashioned rolled oats: Adds chewiness and visual appeal in the crust.
- Baking soda: A natural leavening agent that helps the bread rise.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors beautifully.
- Unsalted butter (cubed): Adds richness and tenderizes the crumb.
- Dark brown sugar: Injects a subtle sweetness and depth.
- Buttermilk: Gives a slight tang and moistness.
- Guinness stout: Infuses the bread with a rich, malty flavor signature to this recipe.
- Molasses: Deepens the color and complements the stout’s richness.
How to Make Irish Guinness Brown Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Start by setting your oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Place the oven rack in the middle to ensure even baking. Line a 9×5 inch metal loaf pan with a piece of parchment paper that overhangs on the sides. This “sling” makes removing the bread easier later. Don’t forget to grease both the parchment and the pan with cooking spray so the loaf won’t stick.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and kosher salt. Whisking helps distribute the leavening and salt evenly throughout the flour, which is key to a consistent texture and flavor in your bread.
Step 3: Incorporate the Butter
Use your fingers to break the cubed butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse cornmeal. This step is essential because those little butter pieces create pockets of moist tenderness inside the bread. Next, stir in the brown sugar, then make a well in the center of the dry mixture, ready for the wet ingredients.
Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients
In a medium bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk, Guinness stout, and molasses until well combined. Pour this liquid mixture into the well you created in the dry ingredients. Stir gently until a batter just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to keep the bread tender and avoid a tough crumb.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Transfer the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top evenly. If you like, sprinkle some oats on top to add a nice rustic touch and extra texture. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 to 55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 190ºF (88ºC), or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This ensures your bread is fully cooked yet moist.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Carefully lift the loaf from the pan using the parchment sling and place it on a wire rack to cool slightly. This resting allows the steam to gently escape, preserving the moist crumb. Slice and enjoy warm for the best experience!
How to Serve Irish Guinness Brown Bread Recipe
Garnishes
This bread shines wonderfully with just a pat of creamy butter, but for an extra special touch, try spreading soft Irish cheddar or a smear of tangy cream cheese mixed with chopped chives. Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme sprinkled on top can also brighten the flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
Irish Guinness Brown Bread pairs perfectly with hearty soups and stews, especially traditional Irish dishes like beef stew or Irish lamb stew. It also makes a fantastic companion to a simple cheese and charcuterie board, bringing robust flavor and texture to the table.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, slice the bread thick and toast it lightly, then top with smashed avocado and a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a savory snack. Or, make a unique grilled cheese sandwich by layering slices with sharp cheddar and caramelized onions. The slight sweetness and depth of the bread really elevate these creative presentations.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store your Irish Guinness Brown Bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the crust from becoming too hard while maintaining softness inside.
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap the cooled bread well in plastic wrap and then foil, or place it inside a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight at room temperature for best results.
Reheating
To refresh your bread, warm slices in a toaster or oven set to 350ºF (177ºC) for about 5 to 8 minutes. This revives the crustiness and restores warmth without drying out the bread.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour?
While whole wheat flour is essential for that authentic dense texture and nutty flavor in this Irish Guinness Brown Bread Recipe, you can try swapping up to half with all-purpose flour for a lighter crumb. Just keep in mind it may change the texture and flavor slightly.
Is Guinness necessary, or can I substitute it?
Guinness stout adds a unique malty taste and depth that defines this bread. However, you can substitute with another stout beer if needed, or even a non-alcoholic stout alternative. Avoid using regular beer or other types because they won’t provide the same richness.
Why use buttermilk in the recipe?
Buttermilk provides acidity that reacts with the baking soda, helping the bread rise and giving it a tender crumb. Its subtle tang also complements the malty stout flavor perfectly, balancing the sweetness from the molasses and brown sugar.
Can I make this bread vegan?
To veganize this Irish Guinness Brown Bread Recipe, replace the butter with a plant-based alternative and swap the buttermilk for a vegan version (such as almond milk mixed with lemon juice). Ensure your Guinness is also vegan-friendly, as some stouts may be filtered with animal products.
How do I know when the bread is done?
The best way is to use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature—it should reach 190ºF (88ºC). Alternatively, insert a toothpick in the middle; if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, your bread is perfectly baked.
Final Thoughts
You absolutely must try this Irish Guinness Brown Bread Recipe if you want to savor a truly comforting homemade bread that’s rich in character and tradition. It’s surprisingly easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and fills your home with an irresistible aroma. Once you have your first warm slice, slathered with butter and maybe a little cheese, you’ll understand why this recipe is a favorite in so many kitchens. Happy baking, and enjoy your delicious journey into classic Irish flavors!
Print
Irish Guinness Brown Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
Description
This Irish Brown Bread combines hearty whole wheat flour, oats, and rich flavors from Guinness stout and molasses to create a moist, dense loaf perfect for pairing with butter or hearty stews. Slightly sweetened with brown sugar and balanced with buttermilk, this traditional bread offers a comforting taste of Ireland with an easy preparation and baking process.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
Wet & Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- ½ cup Guinness stout
- ⅓ cup molasses
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Line a 9×5-inch metal loaf pan with a 9-inch wide piece of parchment paper that overhangs by about 1 inch on the sides. Grease the parchment paper and the pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and to make it easy to lift the bread out after baking.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and kosher salt until thoroughly combined, ensuring even distribution of leavening and salt.
- Incorporate the Butter: Using your fingers, rub the cubed unsalted butter into the dry flour mixture until it resembles coarse cornmeal with small pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. This technique creates a tender crumb. Then, stir in the dark brown sugar evenly throughout the mixture. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients to prepare for the wet ingredients.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk, Guinness stout, and molasses until well blended. Pour this wet mixture into the well in the dry ingredients and stir gently just until a batter forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender and avoid toughness.
- Bake: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top to an even layer. Optionally, sprinkle additional rolled oats on top for texture. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 190ºF (88ºC) or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and carefully lift it out of the pan using the parchment paper sling. Transfer it to a wire rack to cool slightly. Slice and serve warm for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can vary the flour blend by substituting some whole wheat flour with white whole wheat or spelt flour for a lighter texture.
- Using room temperature buttermilk helps the wet ingredients combine more easily.
- The Guinness stout imparts a mild tang and deep flavor but can be substituted with another dark beer or stout if unavailable.
- Store leftover bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze slices for longer storage.
- To refresh leftover bread, warm slices in a toaster or oven for a few minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
