Rustic Ina Garten Guinness Brown Bread Recipe You’ll Love

Guinness brown bread stands as a hearty culinary marvel that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Dark, rich, and full of character, this recipe captures the robust essence of traditional baking techniques.

Hearty grains mingle with the deep, malty notes of a classic Irish stout, creating a sensory experience that goes beyond ordinary bread.

The dense texture promises a satisfying bite that feels both rustic and refined.

Subtle hints of sweetness from dark brown sugar complement the complex beer undertones, making each slice a delightful surprise.

Bakers seeking a bread with depth and personality will appreciate this unique combination of ingredients.

The result is a warmly inviting loaf that speaks to comfort and creativity: dive in and savor every crumb.

Why Guinness Brown Bread Is the Richest Slice You’ll Have

• Craft Unique Flavor Fusion: This bread explodes with deep, rich Guinness beer undertones combined with sweet brown sugar, creating a remarkably complex taste profile that transforms ordinary bread into a gourmet experience.
• Embrace Effortless Baking: The simple one-bowl mixing method makes this recipe incredibly approachable for home bakers of all skill levels, with minimal preparation steps and straightforward ingredients that deliver impressive results.
• Celebrate Texture Perfection: The combination of oats, all-purpose and whole wheat flours creates a wonderfully dense yet tender bread with a rustic, hearty crumb that's both moist and satisfyingly substantial.
• Enjoy Quick Comfort Cooking: From start to finish, this bread takes less than an hour to prepare and bake, offering a quick homemade solution for breakfast, brunch, or alongside hearty soups and stews with minimal time investment.

What Goes Into This Malty, Moist Loaf

• Oats: Hearty whole grain that adds texture and nutty flavor to the bread.
• All-Purpose Flour: Classic flour providing structure and softness to the bread.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Adds robust flavor and extra nutritional value with whole grain goodness.
• Brown Sugar: Brings deep caramel-like sweetness and helps with bread's moisture.
• Baking Soda: Essential leavening agent that helps bread rise and creates light texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the bread's sweetness.

• Buttermilk: Tangy dairy product that tenderizes the bread and adds richness.
• Beer (Guinness): Provides deep malty flavor and helps create moist, dense bread texture.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness, moisture, and contributes to golden-brown crust.
• Vanilla: Subtle flavor enhancer that complements the bread's complex taste profile.

• Salted Butter: Creamy topping that adds extra richness and classic bread accompaniment.

Bake Your Way to Bold Bread Flavor

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Ingredients

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Gather all necessary ingredients and baking tools.

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

• Rolled oats
• All-purpose flour
• Brown sugar
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Whole wheat flour

Blend ingredients thoroughly using a whisk or wooden spoon.

Step 3: Prepare Wet Ingredients

• Buttermilk
• Guinness beer
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract

Mix until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 4: Combine Mixtures

Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour wet mixture into the well. Gently fold ingredients using fingertips, moving from the center outward. The batter will be loose and resemble cake consistency.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Pan

Grease a 9 × 5 × 2½-inch loaf pan with melted butter. Sprinkle additional oats on top of the batter for extra texture.

Step 6: Bake the Bread

Immediately reduce oven temperature to 400°F. Place the bread pan in the oven. Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Remove bread from oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow bread to cool completely. Slice and serve with salted butter for a delightful experience.

Tips for That Perfect Crumb and Texture

• Prep Ingredients Smartly: Pull out buttermilk, eggs, and molasses 30-45 minutes before baking to reach room temperature, which helps ingredients blend smoothly.
• Mix with Light Touch: Use fingertips to combine dry and wet ingredients, stopping just when everything comes together to prevent dense, tough bread.
• Oven Timing Matters: Preheat oven to the exact temperature, then immediately drop it down as the recipe indicates for even, consistent baking.
• Cooling Technique: Let bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing soggy bottoms.
• Storage Secret: Wrap cooled bread in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain moisture and freshness.

How to Store a Loaf Without Losing Moisture

• Freezer Method: Slice bread before freezing for easy portioning. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn and maintain freshness. Bread stays delicious for up to 3 months when properly sealed.
• Refrigeration Technique: Tightly wrap bread in aluminum foil or store in an airtight container to lock in moisture. Keep refrigerated for maximum preservation, consuming within 7 days for optimal taste and texture. Avoid leaving bread in open air to prevent drying out.
• Counter Storage Solution: Protect bread from moisture and staleness by storing in a bread box or paper bag with slight airflow. Consume within 3-4 days for best quality, keeping away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Room temperature works best for short-term storage when bread is fresh and crusty.

Mix-Ins to Make Each Slice Even Better

• Rustic Ale Soda Bread: Replace Guinness with another dark ale or stout for a different beer-infused flavor profile that adds depth to the bread's taste.
• Hearty Whole Grain Loaf: Swap some all-purpose flour with additional whole wheat or rye flour to increase the nutritional value and create a more robust, earthy texture.
• Herb-Infused Irish Bread: Incorporate fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives into the dry ingredients to elevate the bread's aromatic qualities and add a savory dimension.
• Nutty Seed Explosion: Mix in sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or chopped walnuts to introduce extra crunch and nutritional benefits to the traditional brown bread recipe.

Bread That Deserves a Toast

Irish culinary heritage shines through Ina Garten’s Guinness brown bread, a rustic masterpiece bridging traditional and modern tastes.

Complex layers of flavor emerge from simple ingredients, transforming ordinary baking into an extraordinary experience.

Hearty oats and robust Guinness create a rich tapestry of texture and depth that delights palates.

Home kitchens become magical spaces where classic techniques meet contemporary creativity.

Warm slices paired with salted butter invite sensory exploration and cultural connection.

Kitchen adventurers will find this recipe an irresistible journey into Irish comfort.

Scroll down, share this delicious discovery with friends, comment on your baking experience, and spread culinary joy across your networks!

Ina Garten Guinness Brown Bread Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Guinness Brown Bread combines rustic Irish charm with hearty whole wheat goodness. Molasses and dark beer infuse rich, complex flavors into this simple yet remarkable loaf that invites warm comfort with each satisfying slice.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) quick-cooking oats (not instant), such as McCann’s, plus extra for sprinkling
• 2¼ cups (270 g) whole wheat flour, such as Heckers
• 1 (11- to 12-ounce) bottle of Guinness extra stout beer, at room temperature
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk, shaken

Sweeteners and Sugars:

• ½ cup (100 g) dark brown sugar, lightly packed
• 5 tablespoons (70 g) unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for brushing the pan

Leavening and Seasoning Agents:

• ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 2¼ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Salted butter, such as Irish Kerrygold

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius), positioning the rack in the center of the oven for even baking.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt using a whisk to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
3. Create a separate vessel and gently whisk together buttermilk, melted butter, beer, and vanilla extract until the liquid ingredients are well integrated.
4. Form a small well in the center of the dry ingredient mixture and carefully pour the liquid ingredients into this depression.
5. Utilize fingertips to delicately fold and blend the wet and dry ingredients, maintaining a gentle touch to prevent overmixing. The resulting batter should resemble a thick cake mixture with a slightly lumpy texture.
6. Generously coat a 9 × 5 × 2½-inch (23 × 13 × 6-centimeter) loaf pan with melted butter, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
7. Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula and sprinkling additional rolled oats across the surface for a rustic appearance.
8. Immediately reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) and place the loaf pan in the oven.
9. Bake for approximately 45 to 50 minutes, periodically checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and dry.
10. Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and allow it to rest in the pan for 10 minutes to stabilize its structure.
11. Carefully transfer the loaf to a wire cooling rack, letting it cool completely for optimal texture and easier slicing.
12. When thoroughly cooled, slice the bread using a sharp serrated knife and serve with a generous spread of salted butter.

Notes

• Measure ingredients precisely for consistent results every time.
• Swap honey for refined sugar to boost natural sweetness and moisture.
• Store bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness for 3-4 days.
• Freeze leftover slices in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months, separating layers with parchment paper.
• Add chopped nuts or dried fruits for extra crunch and flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg