If you’ve never tried Guinness Brown Bread, you’re in for a treat! It’s hearty, pairs perfectly with stews and soups, and is equally scrumptious on its own with a smear of butter, a dollop of jam, and a cozy cup of Barry’s tea.
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This post is all about how to make Guinness Brown Bread.
The star ingredient of this Guinness Brown Bread is, well you guessed it, Guinness! Guinness adds a rich malted flavour with notes of cocoa, coffee and roasted barley.
Plus, I have a special fondness for recipes that are uniquely Irish. I’m incredibly proud of my Irish heritage, and one thing we truly excel at is creating exceptional food and drink with top-notch ingredients. This recipe is a perfect example of how we combine tradition and quality to create something truly special 🇮🇪.
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Key ingredients and substitutions
Below are some ingredient notes. For the exact ingredient measurements and the full recipe, be sure to check the printable recipe card at the bottom.
Dry Ingredients:
Wholemeal flour: Look for coarse wholemeal flour for the best texture and flavor. If you can’t find it, regular wholemeal flour will work fine.
Oats: Rolled oats or porridge oats work perfectly for this recipe. They add texture and a slight nutty flavor to the bread. Rolled oats (also known as old fashioned oats) are often called porridge oats in Ireland.
Light brown sugar
Nuts: Walnuts or pecans add a lovely crunch and richness. Choose unsalted nuts for better control over the bread’s flavor.
Bread soda (Baking soda)
Salt
Wet Ingredients:
Extra light olive oil: light does not refer to lower in calories here, but light olive oil has a more neutral flavour than extra virgin olive oil making it more versatile in baking.
Black treacle
Buttermilk
Guinness: Use the classic Guinness Draught for its signature flavor. Other stouts may work, but they’ll alter the taste slightly.
💡How to check if your bread soda (baking soda) is fresh and effective.
- Pour 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar into a small bowl.
- Add ½ teaspoon of bread soda to the vinegar.
- If it immediately fizzes and bubbles vigorously, your bread soda is fresh and ready to use. If there's little to no reaction, it's time to replace it.
Substitutions for Dietary Needs
Gluten-Free: Substitute the wholemeal flour with a gluten-free baking blend and use gluten-free oats. Be sure to double-check that your Guinness alternative is gluten-free (as traditional Guinness is not).
Dairy-Free: Swap the buttermilk for a plant-based alternative like almond or soy milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
Nut-Free: Simply omit the nuts, or replace them with sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free crunch.
Expert tips
Weigh dry ingredients in grams (g) with a food scale for best results.
Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can make the bread dense.
Check for Doneness: The bread is ready when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If in doubt, insert a skewer into the center; it should come out clean.
Use Fresh Bread Soda: Make sure your bread soda (baking soda) is fresh for the best rise and texture.
Tea Towel Trick: Wrapping the freshly baked bread in a clean tea towel helps it cool evenly and keeps the crust from becoming too hard.
Serving suggestions
Guinness brown bread is incredibly versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
Classic with Butter: Keep it simple by spreading a generous layer of creamy Irish butter on a warm slice of bread. It's a match made in heaven! If you are watching your cholesterol levels, try using an olive-based spread instead.
With Soups and Stews: Serve it alongside a hearty vegetable soup or a traditional Irish stew to soak up all the delicious flavors.
Cheese Board Addition: Add slices of this bread to a cheese board with sharp cheddar, blue cheese, or creamy brie for a rustic and flavorful touch.
Topped with Smoked Salmon: Spread cream cheese or a dollop of crème fraîche on a slice and top with smoked salmon and fresh dill for an elegant snack or starter.
Sweet Option: For a sweet twist, add a drizzle of honey or jam. The subtle richness of the Guinness pairs beautifully with fruity or sweet toppings.
Breakfast Toast: Toast a slice and pair it with poached eggs, avocado, or even a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of nuts for a balanced breakfast.
Storage
Room Temperature
Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh for up to 3 days.
Freezing Instructions
Slice the bread and wrap individual slices in cling film. Store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or pop a slice in the toaster for a quick refresh.
Reheating
If the bread feels a little stale, warm it up in the oven for 5-10 minutes to bring back its freshness.
💡Dietitian Tip:
When serving this bread, try to include one protein source to make for a more balanced meal or snack, e.g., smoked salmon, cottage cheese, cream cheese, hummus, turkey slices, etc.
FAQ
Yes! This bread is packed with wholemeal flour, oats, and nuts, which provide fiber, healthy fats, and nutrients. It’s a nourishing option, especially when enjoyed as part of a balanced meal. Unfortunatley bread often gets a bad rep. I tell my clients its usually what you spread on the bread that can be the issue e.g. a one inch deep coating of real butter!
You can, but the texture and flavor will be quite different. Wholemeal flour adds a hearty, nutty element to the bread, which pairs beautifully with the Guinness. If you substitute, consider using a mix of all-purpose and wholemeal flour for better results.
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📖 Recipe
Guinness Brown Bread
Equipment
- 1 loaf tin
Ingredients
- 50 g butter
- 1 tablespoon treacle or molasses
- 450 g wholemeal flour
- 25 g oats
- 4 tablespoon brown sugar
- 80 g chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans work well here)
- 2 teaspoon bread/baking soda
- 400 ml guinness
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170 degrees or gas 5
- Lightly grease a 2lb loaf tin
- Combine the wholemeal flour (sift the flour if possible, you may not be able to if its a coarse wholemeal and that will still work), oats, sugar and chopped nuts into a bowl and mix well
- Sift in the baking soda also
- Add the butter and treacle to a saucepan. Melt slowly over a low heat.
- When the butter and treacle has melted, add the guinness and stor.
- Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared tin. Sprinkle a few more oats and nuts on top.
- Bake for about 40-50 minutes until risen.
- The bread is baked when it has a hollow sound when tapped underneath.
- Wrap in a clean tea towel and allow to cool.
Video
Notes
STORAGE
Room Temperature
Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh for up to 3 days.Freezing Instructions
Slice the bread and wrap individual slices in cling film. Store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or pop a slice in the toaster for a quick refresh.DIETITIAN TIP When serving this bread, try to include one protein source to make for a more balanced meal or snack e.g., smoked salmon, cottage cheese, cream cheese, hummus, turkey slices, etc.
Additional Nutrition Information
- I’ve included an estimated nutrition breakdown for this recipe below. Remember, though, that a recipe is much more than its nutritional content, and these numbers shouldn't solely dictate your food choices.
- The owner of this website is not liable for this estimation.
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