Beer Bread has a dense and chewy center which contrasts beautifully with its buttery and crunchy crust. It only takes a few minutes to prepare and an hour to bake. You control the flavor by the beer you choose.
Some beer bread recipes are too sweet, some too hard, some are overpowered by the beer, some use self-rising flour, and the list goes on. Like Goldilocks, I was in pursuit of finding the perfect beer bread and this one is just right.
You don’t need self-rising flour either. I don't stock that in my pantry and it's nothing to add a little baking powder and salt to all-purpose flour and get the same results.
After baking many loaves, I finally came up with this recipe. Using brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness. This beer bread is soft, dense, chewy, flavorful and has a perfect crunchy buttery crust. It’s freaking incredible.
You control the flavor by the beer you choose
The type of beer you use will determine the outcome of this bread and make it your own. I actually prefer a lighter beer where there is only a hint of beer flavor. I’ve also used Sam Adams and the flavor was more pronounced. Use the beer you like. If you like drinking it, you'll most likely enjoy it in the bread.
Pouring half the butter on top of the batter in the pan ensures a crunchy top. This bread uses a 9x5 loaf pan otherwise, the butter will spill out as the bread bakes. I found that out the hard way when making this recipe. As a precaution, I suggest you place the loaf pan on a baking sheet lined with foil for easy cleanup before baking.
After the bread is baked, turn it out onto a rack to cool and try to refrain from picking at the crunchy topping. Honestly, I made this bread one day when family was visiting and as soon as I turned it out onto the rack to cool, it was gone. Slathered in butter, this bread is too tempting to pass up.
After the bread is baked, turn it out onto a rack to cool and try to refrain from picking at the crunchy topping. Honestly, when I make beer bread and turn it out onto the rack to cool, it disappears before it even has a chance. Slathered in butter, this bread is too tempting to pass up.
I love to serve this bread with one of my soups or stew recipes. It's also perfect with a bowl of my chili. Imagine the grilled cheese you can make with this bread?
Give this bread a try. No "knead" to fuss over it because it's easy.
Want more bread recipes? Try:
- Single rise white bread
- Homemade monkey bread
- The best oatmeal bread ever
- Quick easy cheddar cheese bread
- Perfectly soft and fluffy dinner rolls
- Irish soda bread
Life is too short for mediocre food.
Beer Bread
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 (12 ounce) bottle beer, see Note
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Butter a 9 x 5 loaf pan and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Combine well.
- Add half of the melted butter and the beer. Mix until just combined with a spatula. Batter will be lumpy and dense.
- Pour into prepared loaf pan and even out with the spatula. I don't like to smooth the top because those uneven little bumps makes an incredible crunchy topping.
- Pour the remaining melted butter on top. If you want to ensure no butter oozes out onto your oven floor, you can line a baking sheet with foil and place the pan on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 1 hour.
- Turn out bread onto cooling rack and let cool.
- Serve with butter and enjoy.
Notes
You can use a beer to your liking, but be aware that the stronger the beer, the darker and stronger the taste. Don't like beer? Then use a 12 ounce can of club soda water and get a great loaf of bread.
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