* Updated from the archives
Homemade bread is one of life’s simple pleasures. The enticing aroma while it’s baking, the unbeatable warmth of a fresh loaf, and the way butter (or peanut butter) melts on a warm slice. Let’s keep it simple – no need for yeast, dough starters or bread machines. This is one of the easiest and cheapest breads you can make and also my personal favorite. I recommend using a medium beer (such as Yuengling) but you won’t be able to taste it much in the end product anyways. The edges of this bread turn out so crispy that you’ll need to bite carefully so you don’t puncture the roof of your mouth. This basic recipe begs for add-ins, check out some suggestions. Shortly I’ll be sharing my new favorite use for this bread…
Print
3 cups whole wheat flour (or WW pastry flour or spelt flour*)
1 cup extras (see suggestions, optional)
2T raw sugar
1T baking powder
1t salt
1 (12oz) bottle beer (Yuengling, or any other)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375. Add all dry ingredients to a large bowl, making sure to lightly spoon the flour into measuring cups to avoid using too much. Whisk together all the dry ingredients.
2. Lightly grease a 9 x 5 bread pan with butter or cooking spray. Pour beer into the dry mixture and stir to with a wooden spoon. Use your hands to mix once it becomes difficult just until all ingredients are combined. Transfer dough to your bread pan and press down gently so it spreads out evenly. Bake for 1 hour. Let sit for 5 minutes in the pan.
3. Slice thin and spread on butter or crunchy peanut butter. It’s the perfect side to a bowl of Peanut Butter Chili or Peanut Butter Chicken & Vegetable Soup. Leftover bread will stay good for a week, but toast it first to restore the crispiness. You can also freeze the loaf for several weeks.
- [cheddar] (delicious)
- [cheddar and chive]*
- [cheddar, cilantro and chili powder]*
- [raisins and chopped walnuts]*
- [dried cranberries and sunflower seeds]*
- [sunflower, pumpkin and flax seeds]*
* Untested, but let me know your results!
Related Entries
Email This
hey nick! the blogger formerly known as prince..i mean missbee..here!
i never did get back to you on how i liked my naturally nutty from your 100th post giveaway.
OH MY GRAVY. so so so so good.
either which way i loved it. thanks again!
i guess it should be lurker formerly known as not blogger. but NOW im a blogger. woo.
So glad you enjoyed the peanut butter, I bet it was the Naturally Nutty that brought you to blogging! Good to see you in the blogging world! ~ Nick
this sounds interesting, I`m adding it to my try baking list!
Yum. I love bread but haven’t ever tried beer bread before.
What a cool recipe! I think I only have Miller Genuine in the fridge though. Maybe I’ll give it a go anyway. :D
This reminds me I have a loaf of beer bread in my freezer I should eat!
I love Guinness bread. There is something about beer and bread that just goes together so well. I think it is that bitter sweet taste that the dark beer adds. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Simple and tasty. Love it!
Whole Grain Beer bread! Now there’s a recipe both I & my fiance can get excited about.
ohhh. i love all those different “extras” suggestions. i think plain old cheddar is my favorite! looks delicious!
Great for a Fluffernutter!
Another classic!!
Nick,
Thanks so much for this recipe. I’ve been into making my own bread lately, and this is by far the easiest recipe I’ve come across. Nice!
Can’t get much easier and being full of whole grains and so customizable too, it can’t be beat. Enjoy! ~ Nick
I can’t wait to fool around with the add-ins. Thanks for the creativity with this one. I’ll let you know what I come up with!
After months of reading about your site, i finally got around to checking it out! It’s fantastic! May I add you to my blogroll?
Absolutely Mara. Thanks for the comments, I’ve just added you on Twitter too =) ~ Nick
Great recipe!
I would love to have Egg and Cheesers on this bread!
Ooooh, egg and cheese on beer bread toast…I’m off to get eggs, thanks Elle ~ Nick
This looks so deliciously carbohydratey. I love beer breads — they are so hearty and full-tasting. Perfect with a rich soup.
Yes indeedy. Too bad I don’t have more soup recipes. That reminds me, I have a pb soup I need to mention…. ~ Nick
Never made beer bread but it’s looking pretty tasty. Hey! How come I haven’t been here before? So used to listening to you on Twitter I guess.
Only you can answer that question! Glad you stopped by Kelly =) ~ Nick
simple yet intriging… do you think I could replace the beer with juice for an alcohol-free cheaper version? Thanks Nickster! :)
P.S. I made bread too! You can check it out on my latest post! :)
Hmm…I think you’d need a carbonated beverage to help the dough rise. I think all of the alcohol would burn off during baking anyways but I bet alcohol-free beer would work and maybe even club soda? Perhaps a natural or even diet soda? You’ve got me thinking now…. ~ Nick
BREAD, BREAD, BREAD! Awesome! Freshly baked bread is one of my favorite things in the world
Richard, your comments always make me laugh. That, plus I think you’re the only dude that stops by here, keep it up =) ~ Nick
Mmm, mmm, mmm. That looks easy! I’ve only made beer bread from a mix before and it was nasty. Making it from scratch looks much better. I made my entry for your peanut butter sandwich round-up today. It will take me a few days to post it, but I’ll do it before your deadline!
This is almost as easy as a mix and 10x better! Can’t wait to see the entry! ~ Nick
Love the ease and versatility! I can’t drink beer anymore, but i wonder how my tummy would do if it was baked…
I’m sure you’d be fine. One beer in the entire loaf and I’m sure all of the alcohol bakes off. That or you could attempt alcohol-free beer (if that makes a difference) or maybe even club soda? I’m gonna try that next. ~ Nick
i am SO trying this recipe! most likely with a combo of spelt and whole wheat flour, and sunflower and flax seeds. YUM! i’ll let you know how it goes.
I eagerly await the results! ~ Nick
Yummm!!! Thanks Nick!
~Justine
This bread, is really good! You know, I love my crispy bread, and this one, definitely makes the cut! Should I have taken that comma out? :)
Yes you should have. But instead, I’ve added more to suit your style. ~ Boyfriend
My boyfriend brews beer and I’ve been looking for recipes to showcase his brewing skills. I haven’t liked many of the beer bread recipes I’ve found, but yours looks amazing. And I love the suggested additions!! Can’t wait to try this!
Oooh, a homebrewed beer would be wonderful in this. Try it plain first so any flavor from the beer stands out a little better, although the cheddar so nicely compliments it. Let me know your results! ~ Nick
Whole wheat flour and beer? Methinks the “gluten free” tag is misplaced. :)
Ah, I forgot about the beer. Gluten-free beer is available however and I did suggest spelt flour! But I suppose my version isn’t even close though…Thanks =) ~ Nick
Spelt flour is good for wheat allergies, but it still contains gluten. (Being allergic to wheat and having a gluten intolerance are two completely different things, and shouldn’t be confused.)
But this does look pretty good. I’d like to give this one a shot, wheat, gluten, beer, and all!
I thought spelt was gluten-free but you’re right, it’s not. My mistake. So this isn’t even close to gluten-free, there you have it =) ~ Nick
Holy crap. Do we share a brain? I just made whole wheat beer bread this week, and it’s the next post I’m putting up. You beat me to it! Yours looks delicious.
If we do then you must be very smart indeed! And whole wheat beer bread was definitely a good choice too, especially if it turned out as good as this one! ~ Nick
Okay, I am gonna try this. I love bread. I could eat it all day! Seriously. Hey, I posted something you may like. http://gabesbabymomma.blogspot.com/2009/03/post-97-abuelitas-peanut-butter.html
Have a great awesome weekend!
PBB, just wanted to let you know that your ingredient list was selected for this week of “Any Given Sunday”. I already have an idea of what I’m going to make. Hopefully it turns out to be a winner in the flavor department. Thanks again for the submission.
Well that settles it. One of 4 bottles of guinness in the fridge will be reserved for this :)
Never made the beer and bread combo before, but I have to admit trying my hand on a crepe with sparkling water… wasn’t that bad, but kinda tasted a little bitter.
Interesting. I’ve been wondering about making bread with soda, either sparkling water or flavored soda (diet or reg). I need to give it a try. ~ Nick
Just made a loaf (http://gingerjul.blogspot.com/2009/10/beer-bread.html) and am sitting down to enjoy. :) LOVE IT!
I’ve made all sorts of versions of beer bread in the past. It doesn’t matter what your add in is, it turns out terrific. Great reminder, Nick.
We must never forget how sweet it is!
I love beer bread, and it is exceptionally suitable for whole grains. Unlike many breads, the flavor seems to mask the whole wheat.
Agreed, I think because beer has that slightly bitter taste similar to whole grains which puts some people off…
Had to fill you in on what I made tonight. I baked a sweet potato and topped it with natural peanut butter and marshmallow fluff. It was really delicious!
That sounds phenomenal! That’s sorta like the recipe I came up with for Twice-Baked PB Sweet Potatoes. It’s a delicious combo!
I LOVE beer bread! It’s pretty much the only bread I ever make. I like to add shredded soy cheese and tons of fresh ground black pepper. I usually use Rahr Ugly Pug (Black Lager) for the beer. Delicious!
Just made this with Lev beer and added dried cherries and golden raisins. I also added some ginger and cinnamon. It is wonderful! Great recipe! Two thumbs up!
I liked that we don’t have to have a bread machine for this bread! It turns out just perfect and so easy to make. LOVE IT! kudos.
-Sylvia