Guinness soda bread recipe

Our Guinness soda bread is a flavourful loaf that is so quick and easy to make. Best eaten warm with lashings of sated butter, it’s an irresistible snack or companion to a bowl of soup. This Guinness soda bread is packed with malty ale, tangy cheese and sweet spring onions, to give a really moreish mouthful. Soda bread is a traditional Irish quick bread that is wholesome and hearty and can be enjoyed at any meal. Rich and velvety Guinness isn’t just for enjoying at the pub. It adds wonderful depth of flavour and a slight sweetness to this rustic loaf. If you’re looking for a bread recipe that requires no proving overnight, but gives great results every time, then this Guinness soda bread is just the thing for you.

Ingredients

• 500g plain flour
• 3tbsp caster sugar
• 1tbsp baking powder
• 2tbsp sesame seeds
• 100g strong Cheddar cheese, grated
• 4 spring onions, finely chopped
• 50g butter, melted
• 400ml Guinness

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C and line a large baking tray with baking paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. To this mixture, add the sesame seeds, three quarters of the cheese, the chopped spring onions and the melted butter. Stir well, then add in the Guinness and mix to form a soft, wet dough, taking care not to over-mix.
3. Shape the dough into a round loaf and transfer to the baking tray. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top, and score a cross on top with a knife. Bake the loaf for 50-55 mins until golden brown and cooked through (it should sound hollow when tapped). This soda bread is best eaten straight away, but will keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container.