My baking skills won’t land me on the food channel anytime soon. I can do basic corn bread and banana bread, some focaccia and pizza dough, and that’s about it. But these two versions of beer bread are so simple, and the results so gratifying, that they’ve become part of my steady repertoire to impress friends, relatives and neighbors. Plus, it’s screaming good to eat.
The first version is basically a batter bread. Do a simple search for “batter beer bread” and see all the permutations that crop up ( random link from cooks.com.). Start with two beers, one for you and one for the recipe. Open one, drink, and set the other aside. Then, three cups of regular white flour. Sift into a large bowl. If you don’t have a flour sifter, get one, it’s absolutely essential as it’s about the easiest way to ensure your flour doesn’t clump up. Add three teaspoons of baking powder and one teaspoon of salt. If you’re using self-rising flour, no need for baking powder or salt. Add also a 1/4 cup of sugar.
Now, preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Lightly stir the dry ingredients, and the pour in the full can of whatever beer you’ve selected. Watch it foam nicely, and then start mixing. When well amalgamated, pause to refresh yourself with beer, because mixing is hard work.
Melt 1/2 or a 1/4 stick of butter. 1/4 stick will do OK, but more is better in my opinion. Yours may differ.
Let the batter stand for a bit, and butter up a loaf pan, and then pour in the batter. Pour the melted butter over the bread batter. Bake it for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the temperature variations in your oven.
This is what the finished product should look like:
This was before it was attacked by hungry family members. There’s something about the smell of hot bread right out of the oven that makes people act like hyenas at a fresh kill.
The second beer bread recipe I found on a blog called Nine Bean Rows. The blog is no longer active, but the post on this bread starts out with “This bread is crazy good”, and boy is it ever!
I’ll just post the finished product picture right now, to get the drool going:
If you didn’t think that baking hard-crusted artisanal-type bread in your oven was possible, well, here’s your proof. Of course, you’ll need a Dutch Oven, and if you’re currently dutch oven-less, here’s your excuse to get you one.
The recipe is fairly straightforward, just follow the recipe directions at the link, and the tasty little boule pictured above is what you’ll end up with. Guaranteed.
Looks like something worth trying. Thanks for the tip.
The Biz of Life recently posted..Chitlins Con Carne
Bread is the staff of life, indeed. Let me know how it comes out.
Alright, you’re making me hungry! Haven’t had lunch yet:)
This does look good. Speaking of bread, I used to enjoy making it at home in a bread making machine, but have gotten away from that in recent years. Maybe it’s time to dust it off.
Squirrelers recently posted..Dividing an Inheritance with Siblings
Dust it off, by all means! The crusty beer bread is especially good, hot from the oven, with some slices of asiago or pecorino and Genoa salami. Heaven!
I love your recipe posts! I used to make beer bread from a recipe from some ‘home party’ thing I used to attend. Simply …(something). Anyway it was delicious. I need to try your recipe. I prefer yours because it calls for 2 beers!
Everyday Tips recently posted..Dealing with Family Drama During the Holidays
Two, maybe three beers. Depends on how much singing I have to do…
Yumm… I’ll have to send this post to the Mrs.
retirebyforty recently posted..Company Incentive Stock Option
Hi Joe, once you try making it, it might become a staple. We do a couple of loaves a couple times a month. Very good to whip up on a rainy day.
Yum, the round loaf is so pretty. okay, now I must try. I’ve tried several artisan breads in my oven and they are great. The bread baker’s apprentice is an amazing book, but most of the recipes do take more than a day to make because they like to use the slow ferment method.
The visual appeal is definitely there, isn’t it? I’ve also sent the photo to several family members for bragging rights (sometimes it just doesn’t do to be modest). Thanks for commenting, by the way, and for the book tip. Bread Bakers Apprentice is now on my wish list, we’ll see if I get lucky for Christmas. I’m OK w/ slow ferment as long as the labor and fuss involved isn’t too out of line.
Nice, those look pretty good. My wife is the one who’s doing all the kitchen stuff at home. But I think it’ll be nice to learn a couple of stuff myself.
Hmmm… maybe I’ll try those beer breads along with those jell-o shots. LOL
Ken @Spruce Up Your Finances recently posted..Costco Membership
Ken, this is a good way to start, for sure. They’re fairly easy, with outsized results compared to the effort invested…
[...] 101 Centavos shares a recipe for Beer Bread. What makes his recipes so great is not only the final product, but his instructions on how to prepare this treat. [...]
Wow, that looks pretty darn good
I’m not a cook, but if I were, I would definitely give it a try!
I love beer cheese soup, I wonder if the combination would be good?…
Money Reasons recently posted..Dividend Stocks- Free Lunch Experiment 6
Beer Cheese Soup…. sounds absolutely sensational!! I’ve looked it up on google, and I think it will be just fine with beer bread. And more beer.
[...] 101 Centavos: And Now For Something Good to Eat: Beer Bread [...]
I am going to have to try these recipes! It looks delicious and easy~
Lisa @ Cents To Save recently posted..Saturday Morning