Marry This Irish Brown Bread is a hearty and moist recipe, which is made with whole wheat flour and stout beer. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Jump to RecipeIrish Brown Bread Recipe Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. salted butter, melted, plus more for the pan
- 1 cup rolled oats, divided
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 cup stout beer, such as Guinness
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 Tbsp. honey
How To Make Irish Brown Bread
- Prep the oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Roughly chop 1/4 cup of the rolled oats and use them to coat the bottom and sides of the buttered pan, reserving any excess.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining 3/4 cup of whole rolled oats, the whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center.
- Mix the batter: Pour the melted butter, stout, buttermilk, molasses, and honey into the well. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir everything together until it is just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter will be thick and sticky.
- Bake the bread: Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Scatter the reserved chopped oats over the top. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Cool completely: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Recipe Tips
- How do I keep the bread from being dry? The most important rule for this type of soda bread is to not overmix the batter. Overmixing develops the gluten and results in a tough, dry loaf. Mix only until you no longer see streaks of dry flour.
- What if I don’t have buttermilk? You can easily make a DIY substitute. Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup, then add enough whole milk to measure 1 cup total. Let it sit for 5 minutes to curdle slightly before using.
- Can I use a different type of beer? For the most authentic flavor, a dark stout like Guinness is classic. A porter would also work well. Using a lighter beer is possible, but it will significantly change the rich, malty flavor of the bread.
- How do I know when the bread is done? Besides the skewer test, a fully cooked loaf will sound hollow when you tap it on the bottom and will have started to pull away from the sides of the pan.
What To Serve With Irish Brown Bread
This dense and hearty bread is a perfect companion for soups and stews, and it’s fantastic on its own. Serve it with:
- A generous smear of good quality salted Irish butter
- A hearty beef and Guinness stew
- A creamy potato leek soup
- Smoked salmon and cream cheese
How To Store Irish Brown Bread
- Room Temperature: Store the completely cooled bread tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature. It will keep for 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, slice the loaf and wrap it well. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Toasting slices directly from the freezer works beautifully.
Irish Brown Bread Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 slice (1/12th of loaf)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Sugar: 8g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, absolutely. This is a type of soda bread, which uses baking soda for leavening instead of yeast. It is meant to be dense, moist, and hearty, not light and airy like a sandwich loaf.
You can, but the molasses is key to the authentic flavor, deep color, and moist texture of classic brown bread. If you omit it, the bread will be much lighter in color and less rich.
This is a quick bread, so it will not have a high, domed rise like a yeast bread. However, to ensure you get the best lift possible, make sure your baking soda is fresh, as it is the only leavening agent in the recipe.
Try More Recipes:
Irish Brown Bread Recipe
Course: Side DIshCuisine: IrishDifficulty: Easy1
servings15
minutes50
minutes220
kcalA hearty and wholesome Irish soda bread with a moist, dense crumb, a rich flavor from stout and molasses, and a rustic oat crust.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. salted butter, melted
1 cup rolled oats, divided
3 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup stout beer (e.g., Guinness)
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup molasses
2 Tbsp. honey
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F; butter a 9×5 loaf pan and coat with 1/4 cup of chopped oats.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining oats, flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Make a well in the center and add the melted butter, stout, buttermilk, molasses, and honey.
- Stir gently until just combined (do not overmix).
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake for 45-50 minutes.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- The most important tip for a tender crumb is to not overmix the batter once the wet and dry ingredients are combined.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk.
- Make sure your baking soda is fresh, as it is the sole leavening agent for this dense loaf.
