An Irish Soda Bread to Celebrate the Day

Soda bread can come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. When Dan and I were in Ireland we sampled many variations some were brown, some white, some had raisins, and others had currents the options were endless. This bread has a deep rich flavor from the Guinness and a touch of sweetness from the honey and the brown sugar. You can eat this bread on its own or pair it with a hearty Irish stew or in our case, roasted lamb shanks and veggies.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup Guinness

2 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp molasses

2 tbsp honey

5 tbsp butter

1 cups buttermilk

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°

Grease a loaf pan and coat it with flour or line it with parchment paper.

Add flour and other dry ingredients (through salt) to a large bowl or stand mixer bowl. Mix the dry ingredients until combined and then make a well in the center for the wet ingredients.

Put the Guinness in a pan over medium-low heat until it starts to bubble lightly. Add the brown sugar, molasses, honey, and butter to the pan and stir until well combined. Turn down the heat and let the Guinness simmer for a few minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.

While the Guinness mixture cools, lightly beat one large egg in a separate bowl and then add the buttermilk and vanilla. Stir until combined. 

Pour the Guinness mixture into the well in the center of the dry ingredients then add the egg mixture. A stand mixer with a paddle attachment works best or mix with a spatula just until everything is combined.

Pour the mixture into the loaf pan and top with a sprinkle of oats.

Cook at 350° for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out of the center cleanly.