Guinness Bread: A Simple and Delicious No-Knead Recipe

Guinness bread is a dark, dense, and slightly sweet Irish soda bread infused with the rich, malty flavor of Guinness stout. It’s incredibly easy to make, requiring no kneading and minimal effort. This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers or anyone looking for a delicious and comforting loaf to enjoy with soup, stew, or simply slathered with butter.

## Why You’ll Love This Guinness Bread

* **No-Knead:** Forget the arm workout! This recipe comes together quickly without any kneading required.
* **Simple Ingredients:** You probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
* **Delicious Flavor:** The combination of Guinness, whole wheat flour, and molasses creates a complex and satisfying flavor.
* **Versatile:** Enjoy it warm with butter, alongside your favorite soup or stew, or toasted for a hearty breakfast.
* **Impressive:** The dark color and rustic appearance make it a stunning addition to any table.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **3 cups (360g) All-Purpose Flour:** Provides structure to the bread. You can substitute some of this with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor.
* **1 cup (120g) Whole Wheat Flour:** Adds a deeper flavor and slightly denser texture. If you don’t have whole wheat flour, you can use all-purpose flour instead, but the flavor will be slightly different.
* **1 teaspoon Baking Soda:** The leavening agent that helps the bread rise. Make sure it’s fresh for the best results.
* **1 teaspoon Salt:** Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and controls the yeast activity (even though there’s no yeast in this recipe, salt still plays a role).
* **1 tablespoon Brown Sugar:** Adds a touch of sweetness and helps to balance the bitterness of the Guinness.
* **1 tablespoon Molasses:** Contributes to the dark color and adds a rich, complex sweetness. If you don’t have molasses, you can substitute with honey or maple syrup, but the flavor will be slightly different.
* **1 1/2 cups (360ml) Guinness Stout:** The star of the show! Guinness provides the characteristic flavor and dark color. Use room temperature Guinness for the best results. Do not use extra cold stout, it can affect the bread’s rising process.
* **1/4 cup (60ml) Buttermilk:** Adds moisture and a subtle tanginess. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1/4 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Large Mixing Bowl:** For combining the ingredients.
* **Wooden Spoon or Spatula:** For mixing the dough.
* **9×5 inch Loaf Pan:** For baking the bread. You can also use a round cake pan or a cast iron skillet.
* **Parchment Paper (optional):** For lining the loaf pan to prevent sticking.
* **Wire Rack:** For cooling the bread.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make this easy and delicious Guinness bread:

**Step 1: Preheat the Oven**

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the rack in the center of the oven. This ensures even baking.

**Step 2: Prepare the Loaf Pan**

Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. For easy removal, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This will allow you to easily lift the bread out of the pan after baking.

**Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients**

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar. Make sure the baking soda is evenly distributed to ensure proper rising.

**Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients**

Add the Guinness and buttermilk to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix! The batter will be thick and slightly lumpy, and that’s perfectly fine. Overmixing can lead to a tough bread.

**Step 5: Pour into the Loaf Pan**

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. The batter will be quite thick.

**Step 6: Bake the Bread**

Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so start checking the bread after 50 minutes. If the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely cover it with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.

**Step 7: Cool the Bread**

Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bread from becoming soggy. If you lined the pan with parchment paper, you can simply lift the bread out using the overhang.

**Step 8: Slice and Serve**

Once the bread is completely cool, slice it with a serrated knife and serve. Enjoy it warm with butter, alongside your favorite soup or stew, or toasted for breakfast.

## Tips for Perfect Guinness Bread

* **Use Room Temperature Guinness:** Cold Guinness can inhibit the rising process. Make sure the Guinness is at room temperature before adding it to the batter.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough bread. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
* **Use Fresh Baking Soda:** Baking soda loses its potency over time. Make sure your baking soda is fresh for the best results.
* **Adjust Baking Time:** Baking times may vary depending on your oven. Start checking the bread after 50 minutes and adjust the baking time as needed.
* **Let it Cool Completely:** Resist the urge to slice the bread while it’s still warm. Letting it cool completely allows the crumb to set and prevents it from becoming gummy.
* **Add-ins:** Feel free to experiment with add-ins like raisins, walnuts, or caraway seeds. Add about 1/2 cup of your favorite add-ins to the batter before pouring it into the loaf pan.
* **Sweetness Adjustment:** If you prefer a sweeter bread, add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar or molasses.
* **Storage:** Store leftover Guinness bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage. Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before freezing.

## Variations

* **Guinness and Cheddar Bread:** Add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the batter before baking for a savory twist.
* **Guinness and Walnut Bread:** Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts to the batter for added texture and flavor.
* **Guinness and Raisin Bread:** Add 1/2 cup of raisins to the batter for a touch of sweetness.
* **Mini Guinness Bread Loaves:** Use mini loaf pans to make individual servings of Guinness bread. Adjust the baking time accordingly.
* **Guinness Soda Bread Scones:** Shape the dough into scones instead of a loaf for a quick and easy breakfast or snack.

## Serving Suggestions

* **With Butter:** A classic and simple way to enjoy Guinness bread.
* **With Soup or Stew:** The perfect accompaniment to a hearty bowl of soup or stew.
* **Toasted with Cream Cheese:** A delicious breakfast or snack.
* **As a Sandwich Bread:** Use it to make sandwiches with your favorite fillings.
* **With Irish Cheese:** Pair it with a sharp Irish cheddar or a creamy Cashel Blue.
* **Topped with Smoked Salmon:** An elegant appetizer.

## Troubleshooting

* **Bread is Too Dense:** This could be due to overmixing the batter, using old baking soda, or not enough liquid. Make sure to use fresh baking soda and avoid overmixing the batter.
* **Bread is Too Dry:** This could be due to overbaking. Check the bread after 50 minutes and adjust the baking time as needed.
* **Bread is Not Rising:** This could be due to using cold Guinness or old baking soda. Make sure the Guinness is at room temperature and the baking soda is fresh.
* **Bread is Burning on Top:** Loosely cover the top of the bread with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate per slice)

(Please note that this is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used)

* Calories: 200-250
* Fat: 5-8g
* Saturated Fat: 2-3g
* Cholesterol: 10-20mg
* Sodium: 300-400mg
* Carbohydrates: 35-45g
* Fiber: 2-4g
* Sugar: 5-8g
* Protein: 5-7g

## Guinness Bread Recipe Card

**Yields:** 1 loaf
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 50-60 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 3 cups (360g) All-Purpose Flour
* 1 cup (120g) Whole Wheat Flour
* 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
* 1 teaspoon Salt
* 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
* 1 tablespoon Molasses
* 1 1/2 cups (360ml) Guinness Stout
* 1/4 cup (60ml) Buttermilk

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour or line a 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar.
3. Add Guinness and buttermilk to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
4. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading evenly.
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes.
6. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Slice and serve. Enjoy with butter, soup, or stew.

## Enjoy!

This Guinness bread recipe is a delightful way to bring a taste of Ireland to your kitchen. Its simplicity and delicious flavor will make it a favorite for years to come. Experiment with variations and enjoy the process of creating this wonderful loaf of bread.

## FAQs

**Can I use a different type of stout?**

While Guinness is the traditional choice, you can experiment with other stouts. However, be aware that the flavor profile of the bread will change depending on the stout you use. A milk stout will add sweetness, while a coffee stout will add a richer, more intense flavor.

**Can I make this gluten-free?**

Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Be sure to use a blend that is designed for baking and contains xanthan gum. The texture of the bread may be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.

**How long does Guinness bread last?**

Guinness bread will last for up to 3 days at room temperature when stored in an airtight container. You can also freeze it for longer storage. Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before freezing.

**Can I add yeast to this recipe?**

This recipe is for a soda bread, which relies on baking soda for leavening, not yeast. Adding yeast would change the texture and flavor of the bread.

**What is the best way to reheat Guinness bread?**

You can reheat Guinness bread in the oven, microwave, or toaster. To reheat in the oven, wrap the bread in foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. To reheat in the microwave, wrap a slice of bread in a damp paper towel and microwave for 10-20 seconds. To reheat in the toaster, simply toast the bread until warm.

**What kind of molasses should I use?**

You can use either light or dark molasses for this recipe. Dark molasses will give the bread a richer, more intense flavor.

**Can I use honey instead of molasses?**

Yes, you can substitute honey for molasses, but the flavor will be slightly different. Honey will add a lighter, more floral sweetness.

**Is it okay to use self-rising flour?**

No, do not use self-rising flour for this recipe. Self-rising flour already contains baking powder and salt, and using it in this recipe will result in a bread that is too salty and rises too much.

**My bread sank in the middle. What went wrong?**

This could be due to several factors, including overmixing the batter, using too much liquid, or not baking the bread long enough. Make sure to avoid overmixing the batter, use the correct amount of liquid, and bake the bread until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

**The crust is too hard. How can I prevent this?**

To prevent the crust from becoming too hard, you can loosely cover the top of the bread with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking. You can also brush the top of the bread with melted butter or olive oil after it comes out of the oven.

**This bread is amazing! Can you share more Guinness-inspired recipes?**

Thank you! We’re glad you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for more Guinness-inspired recipes in the future! We appreciate your support and happy baking!