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Home » Recipes » Bread » Irish Brown Bread Recipe

Irish Brown Bread Recipe

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This rich and hearty Irish Brown bread calls for fresh butter or a winter stew for dipping. Delicious alongside a hot bowl of soup, or as an afternoon snack topped with clover honey, jam, or marmalade.

Dark brown Irish Brown soda bread with oats on top.

Is there any better smell than fresh baked bread? That’s exactly what I’m going for with this Dark Irish soda bread. It looks like it came straight from a bakery, and tastes like good, fresh bread is supposed to taste.

If you have never had Irish Brown Bread, this is a must try! This is the most authentic and best tasting dark Irish brown bread with oats recipe out there. It’s sooo good!

So what makes this bread so special? Well, if you haven’t tried it before, it’s nothing like any other bread you’ve tasted. It’s mild, slightly sweet and oh-so moist and tender.

The secret ingredient? Guinness.

Guinness is a dark & dreamy Irish stout style beer. Gasp! This recipe has beer in it!? – It sure does. And that’s what makes it so good!

Moist guinness brown bread slice with oats. Dark brown in color.

INGREDIENTS – WHAT YOU NEED

This Irish brown bread is made from wheat flour, oats, brown sugar, and sea salt. Instead of yeast, the dough rises with baking soda and baking powder, and is richly flavored with Guinness beer, melted butter, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. 

HOW TO MAKE IRISH BROWN BREAD

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees (F).

Grease a Dutch oven or a round 2-quart oven-safe bowl. You can use cooking spray or butter.

In a large bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt using a whisk.

In another bowl, combine wet ingredients including melted butter, vanilla, buttermilk and Guinness beer. Whisk together to combine.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until you get a well-blended batter. This will not look like a typical bread dough, but more of a batter.

Pour batter into greased baking dish or Dutch oven. Sprinkle with additional oats.

Bake at 425 degrees (F) for 30 minutes.  Then reduce the heat to 400 and bake another 30 minutes.  Lastly, turn the oven off, crack the oven door open, and keep the Irish brown bread inside to cool for 30 minutes (If using a Dutch oven, take the entire Dutch oven out, set it on a heat-safe surface, and remove the lid so the bread can cool. Remove and enjoy!

VIDEO OF ME MAKING THIS IRISH BROWN BREAD RECIPE

CAN THIS RECIPE BE MADE WITHOUT BEER?

As the name suggests, Guinness Stout gives this bread its signature flavor profile. To make the recipe without alcohol, you could try a non-alcoholic stout instead. Full-disclosure: Even non-alcoholic beers contain about a half of a percent of alcohol. It’s a very tiny amount, but it’s still there.

That being said, a few folks have commented that they have used Ginger Ale as a substitute for the stout style beer and said this Irish soda bread recipe was delicious with it!

CAN YOU FREEZE IRISH BREAD? 

Freezing your Irish brown bread recipe is the best way to store it longer than 3-4 days. Wrap your room-temperature bread in plastic wrap, then seal tight in a freezer bag –> here are some of my favorite reusable freezer bags.

Depending on your family’s bread consumption, you may want to slice or cut the bread before freezing. This lets you grab the quantity you need as you go. My gang can power through a loaf in 2 days, so I simply freeze the entire loaf. Freeze for up to 4 months. 

Best ever Irish Brown Bread recipe - in a glass bowl with oats on top of bread.

PRO TIPS

Dutch Oven Cooking. If you use a Dutch oven to make this Guinness bread, cook with the lid on. I use a 6-quart Dutch oven, which gives me a nice, wide “disc” of bread that plates very well and invites sharing. Cooking in a narrower dish creates a taller loaf and thicker slices – but tastes equally delicious!

Serving. Traditionally this bread is served alongside stews and chowders, or just slathered with butter and honey. However we love to serve it along side our favorite Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe on St. Patrick’s day every year.

Storing Bread. For short-term storage (less than a week) keep bread at room temperature in a loosely sealed paper bag or a bread box. 

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU MAKE FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY?

  • Prepare this delicious Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage.
  • Slow-cook this tender Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage.  
  • Bake these cool and delicious Crème de Menthe Brownies.
  • Blend these fresh and fun Green Smoothies.
  • Make this savory Homemade Corned Beef Hash.

If you make this Irish Black Bread, I would love to see it! Snap a picture of it and share it with me on Instagram, using the hashtag #happymoneysaver and tagging me @happymoneysaver.

Irish Brown Bread Recipe

Irish Brown bread is dark, moist, and slightly sweet, flavored with real Guinness Irish stout. Delicious with soft butter, dipped in soup, or topped with jam. Bake a loaf for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Print Pin Rate
Course: bread
Cuisine: Irish
Keyword: Guinness Irish Soda Bread, Irish Brown Bread
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Resting Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 423kcal
Author: Karrie

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup old fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 -1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 11.2 oz bottle Guinness beer
  • 1/4 cup additional old fashioned oats for topping
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Grease a Dutch oven or a round 2 quart oven-safe bowl. You can use cooking spray or butter.
  • In a large bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt using a whisk.
  • In another bowl, combine wet ingredients including melted butter, vanilla, buttermilk and Guinness beer. Whisk together to combine.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until you get a well-blended batter. This will not look like a typical bread dough, but more of a batter.
  • Pour batter into greased baking dish or Dutch oven. Sprinkle with additional oats.
  • Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes.  Then reduce the heat to 400 and bake another 30 minutes.  Lastly, turn the oven off, crack the oven door open, and keep the Irish brown bread inside to cool for 30 minutes. (If using a Dutch oven, take the entire Dutch oven out, set it on a heat-safe surface, and remove the lid so the bread can cool.) Remove and enjoy!

Notes

Substitute ginger ale for the Guinness (or forgo the beer altogether and just double-up on the buttermilk). I have not tried either of these methods, but have heard this Irish soda bread recipe was delicious with it!
Freezing your Irish brown bread wrap your room-temperature bread in plastic wrap, then seal tight in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 4 months.
For short-term storage (less than a week) keep bread at room temperature in a loosely sealed paper bag or a bread box.
If you use a Dutch oven to make this Guinness bread, cook with the lid on. I use a 6-quart Dutch oven, which gives me a nice, wide “disc” of bread that plates very well and invites sharing. Cooking in a narrower dish creates a taller loaf and thicker slices – but tastes equally delicious!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 653mg | Potassium: 374mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 385IU | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @happymoneysaver or tag #happymoneysaver!

This recipe was first posted February 19th, 2020 but has been updated with better detailed instructions & tips in March 10th, 2021.

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March 10, 2021
Bread, Dinner, Family Favorites, Freezer Meals, From Scratch, Recipes, Side Dishes, St Patricks Day

Comments

  1. Kathryn L Nemeth says

    March 12, 2023

    This bread is amazing, one of my new favorites. I will be making this a lot.

    Reply
  2. Julie says

    December 18, 2021

    Hi, I would like to make this in a mini loaf pan for a Holiday gift. How long should it cook?
    Thank you

    Reply
  3. Wendy Mammoliti says

    August 2, 2021

    I made this recipe for the first time tonight. We love it. So easy and tastes wonderful. I will definitely be making it again.

    Reply
  4. Judy Sage says

    May 11, 2021

    Easiest Oat Bread. Recipe with common ingredients on hand for ANY DAY HOMEMADE Bread. I made my first loaf today and it’s honestly “Bakery Perfect” in every way. The boiled water in the oven made it golden brown rather than too dark…and the honey w oats on top make it SPECIAL! THANKS…I will definitely try your other recipes soon. Good Luck and LOTS OF STARS🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

    Reply
  5. Manon says

    April 28, 2021

    Hi! Ive made it twice now and love it. Soft and moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. Ive halved the sugar and added sun flower and pumpkin seeds, it’s gorgeous. But is it correct, 423 calories for 1 gram?

    Reply
  6. Tatiana says

    April 17, 2021

    Do you recommend any substitute for the oats? I’m in Italy and I can’t find this ingredient. Thank you in advance.

    Reply
  7. WynnWell says

    January 26, 2021

    Hi. I’m in Australia and wondering if our teaspoons are bigger than yours as the bread tastes like baking soda.

    Reply
    • Ladyinblue3 says

      October 16, 2022

      Yes, I believe yours are larger than u.s. versions.

      Reply
  8. Wyn says

    January 26, 2021

    I made it but it was too salty. I could taste the bicarbonate of soda (baking soda). It spoilt the taste. Is it really two and a quarter teaspoons of baking soda? I’m wondering if 1.5 might be enough? Also, it was a bit crumbly. Which is ok. But I was disappointed with the baking soda taste. Anyone else have that happen?

    Reply
  9. Dani says

    January 19, 2021

    Are their any changes to the recipe for high altitude?

    Reply
    • Karrie says

      January 21, 2021

      Hi Dani, if you do have higher altitude you’ll want to watch it for sure. Don’t let the batter get too dry. Use less flour if necessary.

      Reply
  10. Deirdre says

    December 13, 2020

    5 stars
    Great recipe but half the sugar, this is bread not cake. I’ve made it several times. Raisins are a nice touch and go great with the malty flavor of the beer. This bread is great with a hearty bowl of stew, a pot of mussels, etc.

    Reply
  11. karen says

    June 5, 2020

    4 stars
    Yum! In thinking of vanilla and beer…that seemed odd but the combination worked! Can you please tell me where you got your baking bowl with the handle? It seems to be ceramic and blue I guess. I would love to get a couple of those! Thank you.

    Reply
    • Karrie says

      June 11, 2020

      Found it at a thrift store actually!

      Reply
  12. Vanessa says

    March 20, 2020

    Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?

    Reply
  13. Suzanne says

    March 20, 2020

    This looks so good! It is so nice to have a hearty bread to serve with soup!

    Reply
  14. Diana Sunseri says

    March 15, 2020

    If you want to make it in the loaf pan, does the cooking time vary?

    Reply
    • Karrie says

      March 16, 2020

      Hi, nope it should be the same!

      Reply
  15. Juanita says

    March 15, 2020

    I thought the bread sounded so yummy, but when I checked the bread after the first half hour, it appears to be done. I don’t think it could go another hour. Am I being fooled by bread that looks done but isn’t really? ?

    Reply
  16. Eustace D. says

    October 14, 2019

    4 stars
    We have a new oven, so we are trying to figure out how it works compared to the old one. So, the first time we made this recipe I used to bread loaf pans. The edges of the bread were a bit overdone, but the bread itself was baked completely and was moist. Even my family members who do not like soda bread said that it was good. Next time is shall consider baking at for less time. Thanks!

    Reply
  17. Connie Wang says

    August 16, 2019

    5 stars
    Very good! Gone in one night. Sweet for a bread, almost like a cake. Will definitely make again.

    Reply
  18. Vanessa says

    March 13, 2019

    Can’t wait to try this out. I had this bread with bangers and mash and a lot of sweet butter for breakfast last year at a pub. Amazing and I always wanted to try it out, so this year seems like I will

    Reply
  19. Karrie says

    March 17, 2018

    Yay, glad you like it!

    Reply
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Karrie

Hello & Welcome!

I'm Karrie. Come join me on my money savin' adventures but beware: you may find yourself wanting backyard chickens, making freezer meals and dancing along with me to 80's music.
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