Beer Bread

For some reason I was in the mood to make bread yesterday but didnt have the time for a yeast bread. Looked around and decided - beer bread! This is so incredibly easy. SO fast to make. We are talking the ease of making a brownie mix. And good! I made two loaves...

I did a quick google to get the correct ratios and used this website.

Basic Beer Bread Mix:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 Tablespoon granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon baking powder (make sure it's fresh!)

12 ounces beer

Optional glaze: 1 egg & 2 teaspoons water, beaten

Heat oven to 375 degrees. (for some reason I wrote 350 not 375 but it came out well, not too brown and took 45 min to be done so I recommend the 350)

Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, dill, and cheddar in a large mixing bowl. Slowly stir in beer and mix just until combined. Batter will be thick. Spread in a greased 8-inch loaf pan, brush with egg glaze if desired, and bake until golden brown and a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.

Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool 10 more minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Flavor Variations (also see the comments section at the end of this post for lots more beer bread flavor inspiration):

Garlic & Herb: Add 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 2 minced garlic cloves (or 1 teaspoon garlic flakes) to the basic mix. For fresh herbs, use 1 chopped Tablespoon of each.

Dill & Chive: Add 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill (or 2 teaspoons dried dill) and 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives to the basic mix.

Rosemary & Feta (courtesy of my bread baking pal, Beth): Add 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary and 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 4 ounces) to the basic mix.

Italian: Add 1 teaspoon each dried basil and oregano (or 1 Tablespoon each chopped fresh basil and oregano), 2 minced cloves of garlic, and 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan or romano cheese to the basic mix.

Other Additions: Any dried or fresh herbs; 1/2 cup freshly grated asiago (or other hard cheese); 1/2 cup finely chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped scallions; 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 cup whole wheat flour or 1/2 cup oats in place of 1/2 cup of the all-purpose flour. Or practically anything else you can think of--just use your imagination.

I made two loaves: the first with Sam Adams Brown Lager and a generous 1/2 cup or parmesan (plus some sprinkled over the egg wash on top)

The Second with Blue Moon Winter and 3 cloves of garlic, minced, and a tsp each of rosemary, oregano and thyme.

We have only cut into the Parmesan one so far but it is very good! Consistency is similar to a banana bread. Easy enough to make that you dont even need a mixer!

Once these loaves are done I plan to attempt a whole wheat loaf - with honey beer and honey instead of sugar... shd be good!