Beer Bread

I first tasted beer bread while at a friend's party a few years back (you know, for the companies that sell mixes for brownies, cake, cookies, bread, that kind of thing.) I thought, "Wow, that was really good! I wonder if I could make it at home?) And I can ... and you can, too!

Beer bread is super easy. It starts with flour, baking powder, and salt. If you have self rising flour, you could use that instead.

I use a whisk and make sure everything gets mixed together well. Nothing worse than biting into a lump of baking powder!

Now pour in some sugar. Whisk it in.

This next bit is optional--cheddar cheese! You could use any cheese you like, or no cheese at all. I just think that cheddar goes so nicely with beer.

Once your cheese is stirred in, it's time for the beer. You can use any beer you've got on hand. We had Miller High Life (which made a really nice loaf, by the way), but we've used all sorts, from light to dark. If you use a dark beer, like a stout, you'll get a darker flavor and a heavier bread. My favorites are medium colored ones, like brown or red ales.

Careful, the beer fizzes a lot!

The beer and flour mix will make a sticky batter. Scoop, spoon, or pour the batter into a loaf pan.

After an hour in the oven, you'll have a pretty golden-brown loaf of beer bread.














Slice yourself a piece and revel in it--making this loaf cost a fraction of the cost of buying a mix! And you've got enough left over to drink a beer yourself!

This would go really well with Fresh Cabbage Kraut ... just sayin' ;)

Recipe: Beer Bread
3 c. flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/3 c. sugar
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

12 oz. any beer

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.

Add sugar and cheddar cheese; whisk together.

Pour in beer; stir until fully incorporated.

Pour batter into a lightly greased loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Let cool slightly before slicing.