Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (2024)

Traditional Irish Guinness brown bread made with hearty whole grains and delicious Guinness stout. Ready in under 1 hour!

Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (1)

Traditional Irish Guinness Brown Bread

Brown bread is a classic Irish bread similar to Irish soda bread in that it’s a quick bread leavened with baking soda, but made with whole grains including whole wheat flour and oats, hence the name. It’s not sweetened aside from a bit of molasses which also adds color and a malted bitter flavor.

One variation of Irish brown bread is to use Guinness for a portion of the liquid ingredients. The full-bodied stout adds a delicious flavor that pairs well with the whole grains. It’s hearty and goes well with stews and soups, but it is equally scrumptious on its own with butter and honey for breakfast or served with tea.

Table of contents

  • Traditional Irish Guinness Brown Bread
  • The Ingredients
  • How to Make Irish Brown Bread
  • Tips for Making Guinness Brown Bread
  • Frequently Asked Questions:
  • For more delicious foods to make for St. Patrick’s Day check out these recipes:
  • Love this recipe?
Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (2)
Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (3)

The Ingredients

Guinness: The star ingredient of this Irish brown bread is Ireland’s famous Guinness stout. Guinness adds a rich malted flavor with notes of cocoa, coffee and roasted barley. Use Guinness Extra Stout or Guinness Draught in this recipe. Other stouts such as oatmeal stout may be used instead as well.

Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour: Traditional Irish brown bread is made with coarse wholemeal flour, which is milled from Irish-grown soft wheat. In the States, stone ground whole wheat flour is the closest thing that is commercially available. Of course, you can mill your own coarse whole wheat flour from soft wheat berries if you have a grain mill at home. King Arthur Flour makes an Irish-Style Flour for soda bread as well.

Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (4)

Irish Porridge Oats: In Ireland, porridge oats are typically added to brown bread recipes. They are similar to what we call old-fashioned rolled oats in the States. Quick-cooking oats, which are rolled oats that have been broken down a bit to cook faster, can also be used in this recipe.

Buttermilk: Buttermilk is the liquid left during the process of making butter. It is usually cultured or soured which gives it a lower pH. It is preferred because its acidity will react with the baking soda with is alkaline (has a high pH) and will create air bubbles that leaven the bread. An easy replacement for buttermilk is any type of milk (dairy or pant milk) mixed with a bit of vinegar or lemon juice. I like to use apple cider vinegar for this.

Oil or Butter: Melted butter or any neutral cooking oil can be used here. I prefer to use extra-light olive oil for baking and it works well in this recipe. The added fat enriches the bread and helps keep it moist with a soft texture. Melted butter will add a buttery flavor that goes well with the whole grains and creamy Guinness.

Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (5)

Molasses or Treacle: Molasses is the byproduct of cane sugar production. The dark syrup is sweet with a malted flavor and a hint of bitterness. It is hygroscopic meaning it has the ability to absorb moisture from the air and in turn, helps to keep the bread soft and moist. Treacle is the less bitter and sweeter European counterpart to molasses.

Baking Soda or Bicarb Soda: Baking soda is the term used in the U.S. for sodium bicarbonate, a leavening agent used to give quick breads like soda bread their rise. It is commonly referred to as bicarb soda in Ireland and the U.K. It is alkaline and needs to be combined with an acidic ingredient like buttermilk to react and leaven bread.

Salt: Salt brings out the flavors in this bread. I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt in all my cooking and baking recipes.

Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (6)
Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (7)

How to Make Irish Brown Bread

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating the oven then grease and line a pullman loaf pan or a standard 1 pound loaf pan with parchment paper cut to fit the pan. Gather all of the ingredients to make the Guinness brown bread.

Step 2: Mix the Guinness Soda Bread Batter

Mix the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl then make a well in the center. Add the liquid ingredients to the well and quickly combine everything. Be careful not to overmix the batter. The baking soda will react right away to work quickly to get the bread batter into the oven.

Step 3: Bake the Guinness Bread

Spread the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle rolled oats over the top of the batter. Bake the brown bread for 45 minutes. It is ready when it is slightly domed with some cracks on top, dark brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 4: Cool and Serve

Let the bread cool for a few minutes in the pan then lift it out of the pan using the parchment paper as an aid. Let the bread cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing into it. Serve this traditional Irish brown bread with savory stews and soups or slather it in Irish butter and honey or jam for breakfast or with tea.

Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (8)
Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (9)

Tips for Making Guinness Brown Bread

  • Weigh the ingredients – I always recommend using a kitchen scale to weigh ingredients when baking. It is the most accurate way to bake and ensures that you will get the correct results from any recipe.
  • Sift the baking sodaBaking soda tends to clump up easily so it is always a good idea to sift it into the dry ingredients when working with it to remove any lumps. Lumps of baking soda can leave a metallic taste in the bread when baked.
  • Don’t over-mix – After the liquid ingredients are combined with the dry ingredients, the baking soda will start to react immediately so it is important to work quickly and mix the batter just until it is combined, which should only take less than 30 seconds. Get the bread into the pan and into the oven asap.
  • Use a thermometer – Because all ovens are different it is always a good idea to use an oven thermometer so you know the true temperature of your oven. They are inexpensive and widely available.
Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (10)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make brown bread without Guinness?

Yes, replace Guinness with any other dark stout beer such as oatmeal stout. If you’d like to leave it out completely just replace it with more buttermilk.

Can I make it gluten-free Irish brown bread?

I have not tried making a gluten-free version of this recipe yet but it should be possible. Try swapping the whole wheat flour with an equal amount of 1-1 gluten-free flour like Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour and use gluten-free rolled oats.

Can I freeze Guinness bread?

Yes, slice the brown bread and store it in the freezer in freezer-safe bags for up to 6 months. Warm the slices in the toaster as needed.

Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (11)

For more delicious foods to make for St. Patrick’s Day check out these recipes:

  • Sourdough Soda Bread
  • Irish Soda Bread Scones
  • Vegan Irish Soda Bread
  • Spelt Soda Bread
  • Vegan Matcha Cocoa Cashew Cake

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Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (12)

Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (13)

Irish Guinness Brown Bread Recipe

Author: Kaity Farrell

A traditional Irish Guinness brown bread recipe made with hearty whole grains and delicious Guinness stout. This quick and easy brown bread is ready in under 1 hour! Serve it with savory dishes or at breakfast with butter and honey or jam.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 400 g stoneground whole wheat flour ≈2-2/3 cups, or coarse wholemeal flour
  • 100 g rolled oats ≈3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons, plus extra for the top of the bread
  • 9 g kosher salt 2-1/4 teaspoons
  • 10 g baking soda 2 teaspoons
  • 330 g Guinness stout one 330 ml bottle
  • 165 g buttermilk ≈2/3 cup, or 160g milk or non-dairy milk mixed with 2 teaspoons of vinegar
  • 30 g olive oil ≈2 tablespoons, or melted butter
  • 40 g molasses ≈2 tablespoons, or treacle

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350˚F/180˚C. Grease and line a pullman loaf pan or a standard 1 pound loaf pan with parchment paper cut to fit the pan.

  • In a mixing bowl whisk together the whole wheat flour, oats, salt and baking soda. Sift in the baking soda to remove and lumps.

  • Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the stout, buttermilk, oil and molasses. Then stir until just combined. Don’t overmix and work quickly to preserve the leavening properties of the baking soda.

  • Spread the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle rolled oats over the top of the batter.

  • Bake the bread for 45 minutes or until it is slightly domed with some cracks on top, dark brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

  • Let the bread cool for a few minutes in the pan then lift it out of the pan using the parchment paper as an aid. Let the bread cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing it.

Video

Notes

  • Store the brown bread in a bag a sealed bag at room temperature for up to 3 days or slice it and freeze the slices in a freezer-safe bag for up to 6 months.
  • Buttermilk can be replaced with any milk of your choice mixed with 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar.
  • For a vegan version, use oil instead of butter and plant milk mixed with 2 teaspoons of vinegar for the buttermilk.

Course: Bread

Cuisine: Irish

Keyword: authentic irish brown soda bread recipe, brown bread recipe, best guinness bread recipe

Nutrition

Serving: 74slice | Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 803mg | Potassium: 328mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 39IU | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 3mg

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Guinness Brown Bread Recipe | Fare Isle | Kaity Farrell (2024)

FAQs

Why is my Irish brown bread so dense? ›

whole wheat flour – this flour is what gives the bread that brown color, and dense, hearty texture that is so loved. The whole wheat flour lends a nice nutty taste to the bread too.

What is Irish brown bread made of? ›

Made with whole wheat flour, wheat germ, and rolled oats, this simple Irish brown bread comes together in no time and yields a hearty, super tasty loaf, perfect for toasting and slathering with butter and jam.

How do the Irish eat Irish soda bread? ›

How to Eat Irish Soda Bread. This versatile bread works for any meal, but Irish soda bread is a natural for breakfast, whether simply spread with (Irish) butter and jam or alongside that hearty fry-up known as a full Irish breakfast. It's also wonderful with a cup of tea in the afternoon or as a late-night snack.

What is Irish style flour substitute? ›

*If you don't have access to KA's whole meal Irish-style flour, you can substitute Whole wheat pastry flour. It will be finer, and the loaf a be a bit moister, but it is an adequate substitute.

How can I make my bread fluffier instead of dense? ›

If you want a lighter fluffier bread loaf just add 2 Tbsp of dry milk to the flour per loaf of your bread. Vinegar has a very similar effect to the dough as the ascorbic acid. It helps hold the dough together and strengthens the bubbles so they won't pop.

Why won't my brown bread rise much? ›

If the yeast you're using is expired, chances are your bread will not get a good rise (if any) from it. Yeast is a microorganism and does have a definite life span. For best results, always use yeast before the “best by” date. To make sure it is ready to go, always proof yeast before adding it to your bread dough.

Why is my Irish brown bread crumbly? ›

Make sure you are using the correct amount of baking soda in the recipe. Too much or too little can result in a crumbly loaf. It's also possible that your oven wasn't hot enough when you baked the bread. Make sure to preheat your oven before baking Irish soda bread and don't open it frequently during the baking time.

Is brown bread actually healthy? ›

Brown bread is like a hidden treasure chest of nutrients. It's arich source of B vitamins, magnesium, and selenium, essential for various bodily functions. So, Each slice is a step towards a healthier you!

Why cut a cross in Irish soda bread? ›

The Southern Irish regions bake their loaves in a classic round fashion and cut a cross on top of the bread. This was done for superstitious reasons, as families believed a cross on top of the bread would let the fairies out or ward off evil and protect the household.

What is a full Irish breakfast? ›

A traditional full Irish breakfast comprises bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, beans, soda bread or toast, tomatoes, mushrooms, and white or black pudding. For those wondering, black pudding coagulates the pig's blood into a sausage form. The white pudding is simply a pork sausage, usually flat.

Should you refrigerate Irish soda bread? ›

Tightly wrap your leftover bread and place it in an airtight container. There's no need to refrigerate. As for how long soda bread lasts: Irish soda bread tends to dry out faster than other breads. The bread will be good for 3-4 days or up to three months if frozen.

What is cake flour called in Ireland? ›

Plain flour:

Also known as all-purpose flour, cake flour, cream flour, this flour is low in gluten and protein. This is perfect for making biscuits and pastry – where a crumbly texture is needed, this is the one! Plain flour is also used for pancakes, crumbles, shortcrust pastry etc.

Is Irish brown bread the same as Irish soda bread? ›

If you really want to get technical, brown bread is a form of soda bread since it uses baking soda as the leavening agent. However, the two loaves differ pretty significantly from there. Irish brown bread has a deep, nutty flavor because of its wheat flour and wheat bran while soda bread uses only white flour.

What is strong flour in Ireland? ›

Odlums Strong Flour

Normally used for yeast baking, this flour is milled from hard wheats, so it is higher in gluten, which is the protein in the flour. This is the flour used for bread machines and can also be used for rich fruit cakes and pastry.

Is Irish soda bread supposed to be dense? ›

Irish soda bread is an easy quick bread that has a soft, dense interior with a perfect crusty exterior. It pairs well with a nice hearty meal or as a side to a traditional Irish celebration. Keep or skip the raisins - your choice!

Should Irish soda bread be dense? ›

What's the texture like? The best Irish soda bread, like this recipe, has a golden brown crust with a dense, tight crumb. The bread isn't heavy, it's actually quite tender and soft inside.

Why does my bread come out so dense? ›

There may be several reasons for a dense, cake like texture in bread. It may indicate the kneading wasn't enough for the gluten to develop properly, or the dough was proved for too short a time or the dough may have been too dry. It is also worth checking the flour you used.

What causes heavy dense bread? ›

Too much extra flour worked into the dough while folding and/or shaping can cause dense bread. Over mixing can cause a dense loaf by the weakening and breakdown of the gluten (not likely to happen if you fold dough or hand knead). The flour you used is a whole grain with coarse bits of bran and grain in it.

References

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