Move Over Irish Soda Bread, There’s a New Tradition in Town

Start and end your St. Patrick’s Day with these delicious Guinness Stout Muffins.

They say everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day and I’m all for everyone joining the clan on this festive day!  Like so many of our holidays, St. Patrick’s Day – or Lá Fhéile Pádraig – started out as a Christian holiday to celebrate the popular patron saint (AD 387 – 471). St. Patrick’s Day became a feast day in the early 1600’s and , eventually, became more of a secular celebration of Irish culture. 

St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in Ireland, Newfoundland, Labrador and Montserrat and is celebrated wildly in the U.S., Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina and South Korea.  While the highlight of many revelers’ St. Patrick’s Day is watching a parade and drinking green beer, traditional food plays a huge roll in the day.  As I posted on Monday, Corned Beef and Cabbage is a big yearly tradition in my family and there’s always the traditional and heart-attack ion a plate dishes containing various combinations of sausage and bacon, like the Dublin Coodle, Sausage and Bacon Pie and Black Puddings.  You can always go with the spud and whip up some Champ or Colcannon or, if baking is more your style, try Porter Cake, Irish Whiskey Cake, Steamed Brown Bread or the ever-popular Irish Soda Bread. 

OR… you can give tradition a little nudge and make room for my new favorite thing ever! Guinness Stout Muffins! Inspired by Nirmala Narine, owner of Nirmala’s Kitchen, who was inspired by cooks on the island of Guyana where she grew up, these delicious treats are perfect for breakfast as well as a perfect substitute for bread at your Irish dinner.  The beer gives the muffin a nutty, hearty flavor while the dates add an addictive sweetness and texture.  These are not to be missed.

Although you may be giving tradition a run for its money this St. Patrick’s Day, don’t forget to give it its due.  Drink a green beer or two and belt out your finest rendition of Old Danny Boy.  You’ll be in good company!!  Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

This post is dedicated to my mom who taught me to celebrate my Irish heritage and, despite ribbing for her culinary creations, does make the best corned beef and cabbage around!

Recipe:  Guinness Stout Muffins

Makes 6

1 stick unsalted butter (8 tbl.), softened, plus 1 tbl. (melted) for buttering tins

½ cup sugar

1 ½ cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

½ tsp. salt

2 large eggs

½ cup Guinness Stout

½ cup coarsely chopped pitted dates

Preheat oven to 350F.  Lightly brush standard 6-muffin tin with melted better and set aside.

In medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.  Add the flour, baking powder, vanilla, salt and eggs.  Mix until batter is smooth and well combined.  Add the stout and dates, stir until just combined.

Spoon the butter into muffin tins and transfer to oven.  Bake about 20 – 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.  Turn muffins onto a rack and let cool slightly.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

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