If you’re looking for an authentic Irish recipe to serve on St. Patrick’s Day, look no further than Guinness Bread. An Irish brown bread that is easy to make and a fun way to enjoy the Irish holiday!
The original recipe was a cheap and practical way to make bread using flour and sour milk. Luckily, it’s come a long way since the 19th century, now made with buttermilk, and the sweet molasses cuts any bitterness in the beer.
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!
Why You Will Love This Guinness Bread Recipe
- Nutritious Recipe – Guinness Irish soda bread is much healthier than typical dinner rolls or white bread. Stone-ground wheat flour and molasses have numerous vitamins and health aids, like antioxidants, fiber, and calcium.
- Tested – After recipe testing this bread almost half a dozen times, this is IT! Moist, tender, and perfect with Irish butter.
- Not Just for St. Patty’s Day – Experience the traditional side of St. Patrick’s Day by serving this homemade bread recipe!
Every once in a while, a recipe comes along that needs to be tested, tweaked, and changed multiple times. THIS was that recipe!
The bread each time was delicious; the problem was that it quickly oozed out of my pan, making a big oven mess, then settled down. I knew it must be partly due to the oven temperature and tweaking the ingredients. This is my take on Ina Garten’s Guinness Brown Bread recipe. See below for a picture of one of my experiments!
Simple Ingredients for Guinness Brown Bread
- Irish stout beer | Guinness Beer is the most popular Irish stout to use for Irish Guinness bread. If preferred, use another favorite 12-ounce stout beer and be sure it is at room temperature. Cans are usually larger, so pour it into a measuring cup any more, and the batter will be too soupy. Use Guinness draught stout, not extra stout or foreign extra stout.
- Butter | Melted butter adds tenderness to the bread; I used salted Irish butter, but you may also use unsalted butter.
- Buttermilk | Whole buttermilk at room temperature works with the soda to help the bread rise. You can make your own buttermilk by combining lemon juice and regular milk– See the notes below!
- Dark Brown Sugar | Just a touch, the sweetness cuts any bitterness from the beer.
- Vanilla Extract | This adds vanilla undertones to the bread, bringing out the sweetness in the Guinness beer.
- Molasses | Also called black treacle, this adds a touch of sweetness.
- Flour | Use stone ground whole wheat flour and a little bit of unbleached all-purpose flour.
- Rolled oats | You may use quick oats or other rolled oats; don’t use instant oats. I used McCann’s Irish Quick Cooking Oats (not the same as Instant.)
- Salt | Kosher salt will enhance the sweeter notes of the bread.
- Leavening Agent | Help the bread rise with baking soda and baking powder.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Guinness Brown Bread
Step 1 | Preheat and prep
Get started by preheating the oven to 450° F (230° C) and lining a one pound loaf pan (about 9x4x2.75) loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it with melted butter.
Step 2 | Mix the wet and dry ingredients
Next, combine both flours, oats, salt, baking soda, dark brown sugar, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Then, make a well in the flour mixture to add the wet ingredients.
Pour the Guinness stout, followed by the melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla and molasses. No need for a separate bowl. Stir the bread ingredients well until thoroughly combined with no remaining flour streaks. The batter will be like a thick cake batter.
Step 3 | Pour batter
Now, transfer the beer bread batter to your prepared pan, filling it to about ¾ full. Smooth the top and sprinkle it with additional oats for an authentic look.
Step 4 | Bake
Finally, slip the pan into the preheated oven, immediately reduce the temperature to 400° F (205° C) and bake for 35-50 minutes until it is domed and a skewer inserted comes out clean. Check the doneness by inserting a skewer. If it comes out clean, the beer bread is ready to cool.
Fresh Tips
- If the bread ingredients are more like cake batter than bread dough, you’re on the right track!
- This bread dough puffs up significantly before it settles down due to the beer, buttermilk, and baking soda. So, it’s not unusual for it to overflow the pan. I suggest you put the loaf pan on a baking sheet to avoid the mess.
- Let the bread cool on the wire rack before slicing it to avoid falling apart when served.
Step 5 | Cool, slice, and enjoy!
Let the freshly baked bread cool on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Then, invert it onto the rack or use parchment paper to lift it out and allow it to continue cooling before slicing.
The bread must cool completely before slicing, as it will continue cooking as it cools.
But who doesn’t love warm bread? If you prefer to serve it warm, let it cool for at least 45 minutes, then slice a few pieces and warm them in a toaster oven or oven. Serve the Irish bread fresh and slathered with some Irish butter and/ or a little jam or preserves. Yum!
High Altitude Adjustments
I bake at 5280 feet above sea level, but this easy beer bread recipe has been tested at sea level as well.
- Reduce baking soda to 2 teaspoons.
- Reduce baking powder to ½ teaspoon.
- If above 7500 feet, you may need to increase buttermilk by two tablespoons.
- Preheat oven to 450° F and reduce to 400° F (205° C) once you add the Guinness bread to the oven. Check on your brown bread at about 35 minutes.
Guinness beer bread is similar to my Irish Brown Bread recipe, which is a more dense soda bread without any beer! You will love it! Brown beer bread is a little more flavorful and has a more tender crumb, but both are delicious and perfect for a St. Patty’s Day celebration.
Try more of my Irish-inspired recipes to serve on this fun spring holiday, like Baked Corned Beef and Cabbage, Bangers, and Mash with Milk Stout Gravy, or this incredible Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Buttercream!
Variations & Substitutions
Extra Nutritious: In past variations of this recipe, I’ve added wheat germ to bring nutty notes to the bread and make it extra nutritious.
Vegan Guinness Bread: Replace the melted butter with oil or your favorite plant-based butter. Also, make your own plant-based buttermilk by using your favorite plant-based drink and adding one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Then, stir and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before using.
Buttermilk Substitute: I like using whole milk buttermilk for baking, as the extra fat helps bind the ingredients, especially when using eggs. But it can be hard to find at times. Instead, you can make your own whole buttermilk by placing a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar into a 1 cup measuring cup, then add your favorite milk, stir, and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes.
Sweeter Brown Bread: Add up to ¼ cup of dark brown sugar to the batter if sweeter bread is desired.
Add-Ins: For more texture and flavor, include about half a cup of raisins, currants, or caraway seeds.
GF Irish Brown Bread: This recipe is not gluten-free as is. However, you can swap the whole wheat and all-purpose flour with a combination of gluten-free alternatives, like brown rice flour, sorghum flour, and millet flour.
Recommended Tools
- I love my USA Baking Pans! You’ll need a 1-pound loaf pan.
- And a large mixing bowl (my favorite!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Authentic Irish soda bread and brown bread are served for superstitious reasons. The Irish believe that the cross traditionally made on the surface of the bread’s crust will release fairies and deter evil spirits, protecting their family and loved ones. It was made every couple of days and eaten often with dinner. Today, it is mainly served on St. Patrick’s Day and other holidays.
Of course, this Irish bread is best served with other classic Irish meals, like baked corned beef and cabbage or traditional soups and stews. It’s also tasty as a simple breakfast bread, toasting the bread and topping it with quality butter, jelly, or jam. Really, it can be served any way you would typically use bread, rolls, or biscuits.
Irish brown bread and soda bread are traditional Irish bread made similarly. However, the brown flour version has a nutty and rich flavor and a tender texture, while flour 4 ingredient soda bread is a little heavier and scone-like.
Storage Tips
Store at Room Temperature– Irish brown bread tends to dry out quickly. So, it keeps best on the countertop, completely cooled, and stored in a plastic bag or bread keeper for up to three days.
Refrigerator – In an airtight container, the bread will last longer in the fridge than at room temperature– 7 days. However, bread tends to dry out in the refrigerator.
Freezer– To preserve the bread for much longer, store it in a sealed freezer bag or something similar and keep it in the freezer for up to 6 months. You can wrap slices individually to remove serving sizes to reheat easily.
How to Warm Bread– My favorite way to warm bread is to wrap the desired number of slices in aluminum foil and place them in a 325-350° F (175° C) oven for 15 minutes.
Below is one of my failures — don’t get me wrong, the bread was delicious, but it sure made a mess in the oven! Which is why I test for you, so this doesn’t happen to you!
What to Serve with Irish Guinness Bread
Serve your freshly made Irish beer bread topped with creamy Irish butter, jam, or another delicious bread topping, like:
Best Dishes to Serve with Traditional Irish Brown Bread
Make the most of your fresh beer bread and serve it alongside a delicious entre for dinner, like Beer and Cheese Soup, Skillet Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers and Mash, Irish Pub Steak and Ale Pie or hearty Dutch Oven Beef Stew.
Irish Steak and Ale Pie
You must try this Steak and Ale Pie! An Irish steak pie filled with tender beef in a flavorful and hearty Guinness gravy, all wrapped in a cheddar puff pastry crust.
Best Beer and Cheese Soup Recipe (with Sharp Cheddar Cheese)
Beer Cheese Soup is the best comforting, fall soup to make. This recipe does take a little time, as you develop the flavors by reducing your stock, beer and mirepoix (onion, celery, carrot mixture), but it's not hard and the end results are spectacular!
Skillet Shepherd’s Pie (No Bake Shepherd’s Pie)
Classic Skillet Shepherd’s Pie (or Cottage Pie) with ground beef or lamb, features a savory meat mixture topped with fluffy mashed potatoes. A hearty one-pan meal, no oven required
Dutch Oven Beef Stew (or Slow Cooker)
A tender, delicious, slow cooked beef stew loaded with tender carrots, potatoes, caramelized onions, swimming in a rich, savory gravy.
More Homemade Bread Recipes
Best desserts to serve with your Guinness Bread
Because an amazing bread deserves an amazing dessert!
Baileys Irish Cream Ice Cream
Rich, thick, and easy Baileys Irish Cream Ice Cream Recipe is a fun, chocolate Bailey’s ice cream adult treat perfect for St. Patrick’s Day – And any other time of the year!
We love making this during the holiday season too!
Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats
Whip up some magic Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats: a delightful twist on classic Rice Krispie treats. With just four ingredients, these Lucky Charms desserts are cereal bar heaven.
Whether you are looking for a quick and easy classroom treat to make, or you just want to surprise your own family, these Lucky Charm treat bars are the perfect gluten-free quick sweet treat!
Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Buttercream
Do you like dark, deep, rich chocolate? A moist, heavy and delicious cake, with notes of coffee topped with a dreamy buttercream. Well say hello to Chocolate Guinness Cake with Irish Cream Buttercream.
Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature for the best results.
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Equipment
- USA Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan, 1 Pound
Ingredients
- 11-12 ounces Guinness Stout or another Irish Stout beer, room temperature
- 5 tablespoons butter melted + extra to brush the pan
- 1 cup whole buttermilk shaken, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons molasses or black treacle
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups stone ground whole wheat flour
- 1 cup rolled oats I used McCann’s quick-cooking oats, don’t use instant, but old-fashioned rolled oats may be used
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour I used organic unbleached flour all-purpose flour
- 2-4 tablespoons brown sugar lightly packed (dark or light)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450° F (230° C) and brush a 1 pound loaf pan (roughly 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.75) pan with melted butter (I melt an extra tablespoon of butter, when melting for the bread.
- In a large bowl combine the whole wheat flour (2 ¼ cups), oats (1 cup), all-purpose flour (¼ cup), dark brown sugar (¼ cup), kosher salt (2 tsp), baking soda (2 ¼ tsp), and baking powder (1 tsp).
- Make a well in the dry ingredients, then pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Add Guinness (11-12 oz), melted butter (5 TBL), buttermilk (1 cup), and molasses (2 TBL), vanilla (1 tsp) stirring well until combined and no streaks of flour remain. It will be the consistency of a thick cake batter.
- Transfer the beer bread batter to your prepared baking pan (filling no further than ¾ full). Smooth the top and then sprinkle with additional oats (about 1 TBL) for an authentic look.
- Place pan on a baking sheet (just in case it overflows) and put bread in oven, immediately turning the temperature down to 400° F (205° C), and bake for 40-45 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn the bread onto a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing. It’s important to cool breads before slicing, as breads continue cooking as they cool.
- If warm bread is desired (and who doesn’t love warm bread?), once it has cooled, place the desired number of slices wrapped in foil in a 350°F (175° C) oven for 15 minutes. Serve warm, slathered with salted Irish cream butter or with a little jam or preserves.
- Delicious served toasted or cold with Irish salted butter and jam if desired.
Notes
High Altitude Irish Brown Bread I bake at 5280 feet above sea level, but this easy beer bread recipe has been tested at sea level as well.
- Reduce Baking Soda to 2 teaspoons.
- Reduce baking powder to ½ teaspoons
- If above 7500 feet, you may need to increase buttermilk by two tablespoons.
- Preheat oven to 450° F and reduce to 400° F (205° C) once you add the Guinness bread to the oven. Check on your brown bread at about 35 minutes.
Storage Tips
-
Store completely cooled bread in a plastic bag or breadkeeper up to 3 days on the counter, up to 7 days in the fridge. Or freeze individually wrapped slices, removing as needed. May be frozen if well wrapped up to 6 months.
- Vegan Guinness Bread | Replace the melted butter with oil or your favorite plant-based melted butter. Make your own plant-based buttermilk, by using your favorite plant-based drink and adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar, stir and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before using.
- Buttermilk Substitute | I like using whole milk buttermilk for my baking, as the extra fat actually helps bind the ingredients, especially when using eggs. But it can be hard to find at times, you can make your own buttermilk by placing a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar into a 1 cup measuring cup, then add your favorite milk, stir and allow to sit 5-10 minutes.
- Use your favorite stout beer.
- Whole wheat flour may be replaced with stoneground whole wheat flour
- Add up to ¼ cup of dark brown sugar to the batter if sweeter bread is desired.
Nutrition
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