If you’re craving a hearty, flavorful bread that brings together rustic charm and rich, malty notes, you’re going to love this Irish Guinness Brown Bread (Eggless, Dairy-Free) Recipe. This loaf is a beautiful marriage of wholesome wholewheat flour, crunchy seeds, and the unmistakable depth of Guinness stout, all made without eggs or dairy, making it wonderfully inclusive and perfect for anyone seeking a comforting, allergy-friendly treat. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just want a simple, rewarding project, this bread delivers on taste, texture, and that cozy sense of home-baked goodness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients couldn’t be simpler, but each one plays a vital role in creating the perfect loaf. From the earthy wholewheat flour that forms a wholesome base, to the toasted crunch of mixed seeds adding texture, every component works in harmony to build rich flavor and a satisfying bite.
- Wholewheat flour: This hearty flour provides a nutty flavor and dense texture that’s central to Irish brown bread.
- Baking soda: Acts as a natural leavening agent, helping the bread rise and become tender without eggs.
- Sea salt: Enhances all the natural flavors and balances sweetness.
- Walnuts (roughly chopped): Adds a lovely crunch and mild earthiness that complements the seeds.
- Rolled oats: Incorporate chewiness and help keep the bread moist; plus, they look lovely sprinkled on top.
- Sunflower seeds: Bring a nutty bite and a bit of color contrast throughout the loaf.
- Pumpkin seeds: These add a slightly sweet and crunchy pop inside and on top of the bread.
- Molasses: Gives this bread its signature deep sweetness, color, and a slight tang.
- Dark brown sugar: Adds a caramelized sweetness that melds perfectly with the molasses.
- Vegan butter (melted): Provides moisture and richness without dairy, keeping the bread tender.
- Vegan buttermilk: Gives acidity that reacts with baking soda for a light crumb and subtle tang.
- Guinness: Essential for that classic Irish flavor, it deepens the color and offers malty undertones.
How to Make Irish Guinness Brown Bread (Eggless, Dairy-Free) Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by heating your oven to fan-forced 160°C (320°F) or conventional 180°C (356°F). Lightly grease an 8-8.5-inch loaf tin and line it with parchment paper, creating a sling to make lifting the bread out effortless once it’s baked. This little prep ensures your loaf keeps its perfect shape and doesn’t stick.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, toss together your wholewheat flour, baking soda, and salt. Then stir in the walnuts, oats, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. These dry ingredients form the sturdy backbone of your bread, with each seed adding texture and healthy earthiness to every bite.
Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, blend the molasses, dark brown sugar, and melted vegan butter until smooth and sweetly rich. Gradually whisk in the vegan buttermilk, followed by the Guinness stout, which brings that unmistakable Irish touch that elevates this bread from ordinary to truly special.
Step 4: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Create a well in the center of the dry mix and pour in the wet ingredients. Gently fold them together with a rubber spatula just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which would make the bread tough. The result should be a slightly sticky, rustic dough ready for the pan.
Step 5: Assemble and Prep for Baking
Transfer your dough to the prepared loaf tin, smoothing the top slightly. For a beautiful cracked effect, you can smear a thin strip of vegan butter along the center top of the loaf. This small detail adds charm and helps the bread finish baking perfectly.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Slide your loaf into the oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Test doneness by poking a toothpick or knife into the center — it should come out clean. After baking, let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. If any dampness lingers on the crust or bottom, pop it back in the oven for another five minutes without the tin. Finally, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely for slicing.
How to Serve Irish Guinness Brown Bread (Eggless, Dairy-Free) Recipe
Garnishes
This bread’s rustic texture is a perfect canvas for toppings. Try it with a smear of dairy-free butter or your favorite nut butter, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a sprinkle of sea salt and flaky rosemary. Fresh herbs or a scattering of extra seeds on top add visual appeal and a little extra crunch.
Side Dishes
Irish Guinness Brown Bread pairs beautifully with warm, comforting dishes like hearty stews, vegetable soups, or even a creamy mushroom ragout. Its dense crumb holds up well to soaking up broths and gravies, making it a great companion to any meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice this loaf thickly for toasts topped with smashed avocado and chili flakes or use it to craft open-faced sandwiches layered with seasonal veggies and tangy vegan cheese spreads. For brunch, serve alongside a fresh green salad and roasted tomatoes for a delightful feast that looks as good as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, wrap your Irish Guinness Brown Bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Stored at room temperature, it will stay fresh for up to three days. Keep it away from direct sunlight and humidity to maintain its texture and flavor.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this bread over a longer period, freezing is an excellent option. Slice the bread first, then freeze the slices in a sealed freezer bag with parchment paper between slices to prevent sticking. This way, you can toast slices to fresh warmth right from the freezer.
Reheating
For the best experience, toast frozen slices or reheat fresh bread in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for about 5 to 7 minutes. This revives the crust’s crunch and warms the crumb, making it just as delightful as when freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I substitute Guinness with another beverage?
Yes! If you don’t have Guinness on hand or prefer to avoid alcohol, try using a dark stout beer or a non-alcoholic malt beverage. You can even use strong brewed black tea or chilled carbonated water with a splash of molasses for a similar flavor profile.
Will this bread work without the nuts and seeds?
While the nuts and seeds add wonderful texture and flavor, you can omit them if needed. The bread will still turn out moist and hearty but with a less crunchy bite. Consider adding additional oats or a handful of dried fruit for variety instead.
Why is this bread eggless and dairy-free?
This recipe is designed to be inclusive and suitable for vegans or those with allergies to eggs and dairy. Vegan buttermilk and baking soda provide the necessary leavening and acidity, while vegan butter keeps the bread tender without animal products.
How dense or crumbly is this bread?
Irish Guinness Brown Bread is generally dense but moist with a slightly crumbly texture due to the wholewheat flour and seeds. It’s hearty rather than light and fluffy, which makes it perfect for soaking up soups or enjoying toasted with spreads.
Can I make this bread gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, you’ll need to substitute the wholewheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend suited to baking. Keep in mind that the texture and rise might change, as gluten-free flours behave differently. Experimenting with xanthan gum or psyllium husk might help obtain a better crumb.
Final Thoughts
This Irish Guinness Brown Bread (Eggless, Dairy-Free) Recipe is one of those wonderful slices of home that brings comfort, flavor, and a touch of tradition to your table. It’s nourishing, inclusive, and perfect for any occasion where you want a bread that stands out with character and warmth. Give it a try – I promise you’ll fall in love with every dense, nutty slice!
Print
Irish Guinness Brown Bread (Eggless, Dairy-Free) Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Irish Guinness Brown Bread is a hearty, eggless, and dairy-free recipe perfect for those seeking a wholesome homemade loaf. Packed with wholewheat flour, nuts, seeds, and the rich flavor of Guinness stout, this bread offers a dense texture with a subtle sweetness from molasses and brown sugar. Ideal for casual breakfasts or as an accompaniment to soups and stews, it bakes to a golden-brown crust with a soft and nutty crumb inside.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 360 g wholewheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 60 g walnuts, roughly chopped
- 50 g rolled oats (plus extra for topping)
- 40 g sunflower seeds (plus extra for topping)
- 40 g pumpkin seeds (plus extra for topping)
Wet Ingredients
- 60 g molasses
- 25 g dark brown sugar
- 30 g vegan butter, melted
- 120 ml vegan buttermilk (half batch)
- 240 ml Guinness stout
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat your oven to fan-forced 160°C (320°F) or conventional 180°C (356°F). Lightly grease an 8-8.5-inch (1 pound) loaf tin and line it with parchment paper to create a sling, which will make it easier to lift the bread out after baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the wholewheat flour, baking soda, and sea salt. Stir thoroughly, then fold in the walnuts, rolled oats, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds until evenly distributed.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together molasses, dark brown sugar, and melted vegan butter. Gradually add the vegan buttermilk and Guinness stout, whisking until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Make bread dough: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the ingredients together until just combined—avoid overmixing to prevent a dense bread texture.
- Assemble: Transfer the dough into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Optionally, brush a thin strip of melted vegan butter across the top of the dough; this encourages a characteristic crack along the center as it bakes.
- Bake: Place the loaf in the oven and bake for 50-55 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick or knife into the center; it should come out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. If the crust or underside feels moist, return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes without the pan. Finally, remove the bread using the parchment sling and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- Use vegan buttermilk made by mixing plant-based milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to achieve the right acidity.
- Molasses adds a deep, rich sweetness and moisture but can be substituted with maple syrup or dark corn syrup if unavailable.
- Guinness stout provides characteristic flavor; substitute with another dark stout or a mix of water and cocoa powder if preferred.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to avoid tough bread texture.
- Extra seeds and oats can be sprinkled on top of the loaf for decorative texture and additional crunch.
