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Irish Honey Black Bread recipe: easy Guinness bread with bread machine option

a loaf of Irish honey black bread made with Guinness. Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of Irish Honey Black Bread with this quick and easy recipe. Made with wholesome ingredients and requiring no resting time, this delightful loaf can be baked in under 1 hour, either in the oven or a bread machine. Get ready to savor the deliciousness of freshly baked bread with every slice!
Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of Irish Honey Black Bread with this quick and easy recipe. Made with wholesome ingredients and requiring no resting time, this delightful loaf can be baked in under 1 hour, either in the oven or a bread machine. Get ready to savor the deliciousness of freshly baked bread with every slice!
Munchyesta.com
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Serving Size 1 bread (8 servings)

Ingredients

Irish Guinness honey bread Ingredients:

  • 2-2/3 cups (400g) stoneground whole wheat flour (or coarse wholemeal flour)
  • 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp (100g) rolled oats (plus extra for the top of the bread)
  • 2 tsp salt kosher salt or salt of your choice
  • 2 tsp (10g) baking soda
  • 1.4 cups (330ml) Guinness stout (one 330 ml bottle)
  • 2/3 cup (165g) buttermilk (or 160g milk or non-dairy milk mixed with 2 teaspoons of vinegar)
  • 2 tbsp (30g) vegetable oil (or melted butter)
  • 2 tbsp (40g) honey or syrup (or molasses if you prefer)

Instructions

How to make Irish Honey Black Bread in the oven

    Baking in an Oven:

    • Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350˚F/180˚C and allow it to preheat while you prepare the bread.
    • Prepare Your Loaf Pan: Grease a standard 1-pound loaf pan and line it with parchment paper cut to fit.
    • Mix Your Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, oats, salt, and baking soda. Ensure the baking soda is sifted to eliminate any lumps. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and gently add the Guinness stout, buttermilk, oil, and honey. Stir until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
    • Transfer the Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, ensuring it spreads evenly.
    • Add Toppings (Optional): For an extra touch, sprinkle rolled oats over the top of the batter to enhance texture and appearance.
    • Bake Your Bread: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes. The bread is ready when it is slightly domed with cracks on top, dark brown, and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
    • Cool and Serve: Allow the Irish Honey Black bread to cool in the pan for a few minutes before carefully lifting it out using the parchment paper as a guide. Transfer the bread to a cooling rack and let it cool completely before slicing and serving.
    • With these precise instructions, you'll achieve perfectly baked Irish Guinness bread every time. Enjoy the delightful aroma and taste of freshly baked bread!

    How to make Irish Guinness Bread in a bread machine

    • Preheat Your Bread Machine: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preheating or use the default setting on your bread machine.
    • Prepare Your Bread Pan: Ensure the bread pan is properly inserted into the machine.
    • Mix Your Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, oats, salt, and baking soda. Sift in the baking soda to ensure there are no lumps. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the stout, buttermilk, oil, and honey. Stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
    • Transfer the Batter: Carefully pour the batter into the bread pan according to the machine’s instructions.
    • Add Toppings (Optional): Sprinkle rolled oats over the top of the batter for added texture and visual appeal.
    • Bake Your Bread: Select the appropriate baking cycle on your bread machine and start the machine.
    • Cool and Serve: Once the baking cycle is complete, allow the bread to cool for a few minutes in the pan. Then carefully remove it from the pan and let it cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing and serving.
    • With these detailed instructions, you’ll be able to bake delicious homemade bread whether you’re using an oven or a bread machine. Enjoy your baking experience!

    Notes

    Helpful Tips:

    Baking pan: For baking convenience, this recipe is tailored to fit a large loaf pan (measuring 9x5 inches) or two mini loaf pans (measuring 5 inches by 3 inches).
    Variations: For those seeking a less sweet variation of Irish brown bread, simply omit the brown sugar, honey, or both. The bread will still turn out wonderfully delicious, just with a more savory flavor profile!

    Extra tips:

    1. Storage Suggestions: Keep your delicious brown bread fresh by storing it in a sealed bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, slice the bread and freeze individual slices in a freezer-safe bag for convenient access for up to 6 months.
    2. Buttermilk Substitution: If you're out of buttermilk, don't fret! You can easily substitute it with any milk of your choice mixed with 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. This quick fix ensures you can continue baking without any interruptions.
    3. Vegan Variation: Want to make a vegan version of this delightful bread? Simply swap out the butter for oil and use plant milk mixed with 2 teaspoons of vinegar as a substitute for buttermilk. These simple swaps ensure that everyone can enjoy this tasty treat, regardless of dietary preferences.