Mouth-Watering Guinness Bread to Satisfy Your Cravings
Hello, fellow food enthusiasts! As a chef specializing in British cuisine, I am excited to share with you a recipe that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Ireland. I present to you the Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread Recipe, a perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or add a touch of Irish authenticity to any meal.
This recipe is named after Irish Chef Mercedes who originated the recipe at the Guinness Brewery in Ireland. This savory and hearty bread recipe is a delicious combination of whole wheat flour, Guinness stout beer, and caraway seeds that will surely make your mouth water.
One of the things I love about this recipe is that it’s versatile enough to be enjoyed with any meal or snack throughout the day. Whether as part of your breakfast spread or as an accompaniment to your main course, this bread is sure to satisfy.
So let’s turn up some Irish call tunes and head on to the kitchen to bake some warm and comforting Guinness Brown Bread!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re a fan of Irish brown bread, you’ll absolutely love this Guinness Brown Bread recipe by Mercedes Benz. Not only is this bread recipe made with whole wheat flour, but it also combines the iconic taste of Guinness beer, making it a must-try for bread enthusiasts looking for a unique twist to traditional soda bread. Here are just a few reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
Firstly, the combination of warm water and yeast creates a dough that is easy to work with and shape into your desired shape. Whether you prefer individual rolls or one large loaf, this recipe allows for flexibility in terms of size and shape.
Secondly, the addition of honey brings an element of sweetness that offsets the bitterness of the stout beer, making for a perfectly balanced flavor. You’ll be able to enjoy the rich notes of caramel and coffee in each bite without feeling overwhelmed by the flavor of the beer.
Lastly, it’s incredibly versatile! You can enjoy this Guinness Brown Bread with any meal – whether it’s as an accompaniment to your favorite spread, dipped into a hearty soup, or even incorporated into your breakfast routine as toast with butter and jam. The possibilities are endless when it comes to this tasty bread.
So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try and see why it’s become such a beloved option for those looking to experiment with Irish brown bread recipes.
Ingredient List
Before we proceed with the recipe, let’s take a peek at the ingredients needed to bake Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread. Here are the items that you’ll need:
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose white flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
- 1 tablespoon caraway seed
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of margarine or butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 (14.9 ounce) can of stout beer (I recommend Guinness stout.)
- ½ cup warm water
- 2¼ teaspoons dry yeast
Gather everything you need, and let’s start baking!
The Recipe How-To
Mixing the dough
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In a large mixing bowl, I combined 2 cups of all-purpose white flour and 2 cups of whole wheat flour with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger. I added 1 tablespoon of caraway seed for an extra flavor boost.
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I added 4 tablespoons of melted butter and 4 tablespoons of margarine to the dry ingredients, rubbing the mixture together until it looked like fine breadcrumbs.
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In a separate bowl, I mixed together ½ cup of honey with 1 cup of stout beer until everything was evenly combined.
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I dissolved 2 teaspoons of sugar in 2/3 cup of warm water before stirring in one packet of dry yeast. By adding sugar to the yeast, you will help activate it faster.
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Then, I slowly poured the liquid mixture into the dry mixture, mixing everything together until it formed a sticky dough.
Kneading the dough and baking
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After letting my dough rest for about five minutes, I turned it out onto a lightly floured surface and kneaded it for about five minutes until it became smooth and elastic.
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I then placed the dough into a greased loaf pan and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour.
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Just before putting the bread into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C), I scored the top with three lines using a sharp knife.
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The Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread Recipe should be baked for between 75-80 minutes in total. Once cooked, removed from the oven and let rest until cool enough to slice.
The aroma of freshly baked Guinness Bread always takes me back to my childhood in Ireland. This recipe is particularly significant to me because it features my grandmother’s secret ingredient: honey! When making any kind of bread, make sure to slowly add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients, making sure you don’t add too much. Too much water will make the dough too wet and sticky. If you like, you can swap out the stout beer for Guinness Draught for a stronger flavor. Enjoy a slice of this Irish classic with a generous slather of butter or jam and a cup of tea or coffee.
Substitutions and Variations
There are many ways to make this Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread Recipe your own. While the original recipe calls for certain ingredients, you can definitely put your own spin on it by making some substitutions and variations.
One easy way to switch things up is by swapping out the margarine for butter. This will give the bread a richer and creamier flavor. Similarly, if you prefer a spicier loaf, try adding more powdered ginger or caraway seed to taste.
If you want a lighter-colored bread, consider using all-purpose white flour instead of whole wheat flour, or even a combination of both. And if you don’t have access to Guinness Stout Beer, try using another dark stout beer.
For those looking for a sweeter taste, use honey instead of sugar or even molasses to add an extra depth of flavor. If you’re looking for a lower-sugar option, go ahead and reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe or omit it completely.
In addition to these ingredient swaps, there are plenty of ways to get creative with serving and pairing options. This bread is perfect when paired with soups or stews, but can also be enjoyed on its own as snack. Toasted Guinness bread is also delicious with a slather of butter and jam for breakfast.
All in all, while The Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread Recipe is already delicious on its own, the possibilities for substitutions and variations are endless. So grab that apron and get baking!
Serving and Pairing
Ah, the perfect pairing! This hearty and flavorful Irish Mercedes’ Guinness bread pairs exceptionally well with soups, stews, and chilis. Its moist and dense texture complemented by the subtle bitterness of the Guinness makes it an excellent bread option for a range of meals.
For a comforting lunch or dinner, serve it toasted or fresh with a warm bowl of Irish stew or potato leek soup. You could also pair it with chicken pot pie or beef bourguignon for a wholesome meal that will satisfy your hunger.
As for beverages, I suggest serving this bread with another glass of Guinness stout beer. The subtle sweetness from the honey in the bread recipe balances perfectly with the bitterness of the beer. If you have non-beer drinkers at your table, go ahead and offer them a glass of red wine to wash down the morsels.
This versatile bread is perfect for any time of day too. Enjoy it as-is or add butter or margarine and honey, jelly, or cherry jam for breakfast. Try adding cream cheese spread and smoked salmon or tuna salad for a satisfying lunch sandwich.
Overall, whether you’re hosting a St. Patrick’s day feast or want an excellent bread option to complement your weeknight dinner or breakfast, trust me: this Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread Recipe is what you need.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
There’s no denying that the Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread recipe is a masterpiece, but let’s face it – baking bread is a time-consuming process. So if you want to cut down on prep time, you can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to three days. Just make sure to cover it tightly with cling wrap to prevent air from seeping in.
When you’re ready to bake the bread, take the dough out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about an hour before baking. This will ensure that your bread rises properly and cooks evenly.
Storing leftover Guinness bread is easy as well. Simply wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for up to a week. Be sure to slice the bread before storing it so that you can easily reheat slices as needed.
To reheat Guinness bread, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and wrap the bread tightly in aluminum foil. Place the wrapped bread in the oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes or until warm all throughout. This way, you can relive the warm and cozy feeling of freshly baked Irish brown bread without having to go through the tedious process again.
A pro-tip to keep your bread tasting fresh for longer is to avoid slicing into it until you’re ready to eat it. This will prevent air from entering into the loaf, causing it to dry out quickly. Follow these storage tips and you will have fresh Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread whenever you want!
Tips for Perfect Results
To achieve the best possible results when making Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread, which is a delicious and traditional bread made from Guinness stout beer, I would like to share some tips that will make your bread bake perfectly every time.
First of all, it’s crucial to ensure that your ingredients are ready to use and at room temperature. This applies to butter, margarine, honey, and even the stout beer itself. When ingredients are cold or too hot, they can affect the final texture of the bread.
Another important tip is to mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately before combining them. Sift together all-purpose white flour, whole wheat flour, powdered ginger, baking soda, brown sugar, caraway seeds and salt into one mixing bowl; in another mixing bowl, combine margarine or butter spread honey and warm water until it becomes light and airy.
When you mix these two bowls together and add your yeast mixture, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can cause the gluten in the flour to break down and result in a tougher, denser loaf of bread.
Finally, remember that patience is key when working with yeast. Yeast needs enough time to ferment with the sugar in the dough; about 1-2 hours is needed for optimal rising time in a warm room.
By following these tips when making Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread, you will be sure to have a delicious outcome every time that is worthy of being served to your friends and family during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations or any gatherings.
FAQ
Now that we’ve covered the recipe how-to, let’s address some common questions and concerns that may arise while making Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help you along the way.
Should Irish soda bread be kneaded?
Making Irish soda bread is a simple process that doesn’t require kneading due to the absence of yeast in the recipe. It is referred to as brown bread by the Irish people, and this is because it is commonly made with brown flour.
What is Irish brown bread made of?
Brown bread is a staple in Irish cuisine, consisting of basic ingredients like whole wheat and white flours, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk. This recipe, however, enhances the taste and texture of the bread with the addition of sugar and butter (or oil).
Is soda bread Irish?
The origins of soda bread may surprise you. Even though it is commonly associated with Ireland, Native Americans were the first to use pearl ash, a soda formed from wood ashes, as a leavening agent in their bread. Later on, the Irish adopted this technique and made it their own.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread Recipe is a must-try. This recipe brings together the unique and bold taste of Guinness beer with caraway seeds, honey, and brown sugar to create a hearty and flavorful bread. Whether you are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or simply want to add a new twist to your bread baking routine, this recipe is sure to impress.
Not only is this Guinness bread recipe easy to follow, but it also offers a range of substitutions and variations that allow you to customize it according to your taste preferences. You can experiment with different flours or add your own mix-ins like raisins or nuts.
This bread recipe goes well with a variety of dishes and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. It pairs perfectly with soups, stews, or can be topped with butter and jam for breakfast. Plus, it’s perfect for making ahead of time and can be easily reheated for quick meals throughout the week.
If you’re looking for an authentic Irish experience in the comfort of your own home, give this Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread Recipe a try. Your taste buds will thank you.
Irish Mercedes’ Guinness Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 (6 1/3 ounce) bottle guinness stout beer
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon margarine or 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon caraway seed
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 1/2 cups unsifted all-purpose white flour
- 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
- 1 tablespoon margarine or 1 tablespoon butter, to brush bread after baking
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of warm water and 1 Tablespoon of sugar; set aside for five minutes. Heat stout, honey and margarine until warm. Add stout mix to the dissolved yeast and stir into 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in remaining flour, ginger and caraway seeds to make a soft dough.
- Shape into a ball. Knead on a floured board until smooth, about 3 minutes. Form into a round loaf and with floured knife make a cross through center of the bread. Place in a greased 8-inch round cake tin. Cover with tea towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes or until done. Remove from pan and brush with 1 Tablespoons butter. Cool on rack.
- The Irish Heritage Cookbook….Mercedes McLoughlin & Marian McSpiritt.
Nutrition
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Brian is a British chef cum food blogger who has been in the kitchen since he was a young lad. Growing up in Manchester, he developed a passion for cooking and a keen eye for the perfect dish. He now runs his own blog and YouTube channel, which is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.