Beer Bread Easy Recipe Variations Wellplated Com

Beer bread is a savory quick bread that uses the carbonation in beer for leavening. Like other quick bread recipes, you make beer bread without yeast, a shortcut that makes it especially easy to prepare. Beer bread is buttery and moist. The inside crumb is sturdy but tender. The outside is lightly craggly. One of my favorite parts about eating beer bread is picking off that textured top! I’m hesitant to use the phrase “you can whip this right up!” when describing a recipe, because whenever I see it elsewhere, it turns out to be an overpromise. With beer bread, however, the whip-it-up sentiment truly applies! This easy beer bread batter comes together in ONE bowl and takes fewer than 10 minutes to stir together. It’s an ideal accompaniment to soups and chilis, and I love it toasted at breakfast too.

Does Beer Bread Taste Like Beer

The short answer is yes, beer bread tastes like beer. How strong that beer flavor is will depend upon the type of beer you use. The stronger the beer, the more intense the bread.

How to Make Beer Bread

Start with this basic beer bread, then check out the variations below to see if any grab your appetite. Our house favorite is a cheese beer bread recipe with garlic.

Mild Beer Bread. Use a plain, ultra light beer like Miller Light. (If you live in Wisconsin and want an upgrade, try New Glarus Spotted Cow.)Go Seasonal. Try making beer bread with pumpkin ale, a nutty brown winter ale, or even a hard cider.Beer Lover’s Choice. Use a fully flavored beer. I adore IPA in my beer bread.Middle Ground. Amber beers strike a nice balance. The beer flavor is present and pleasant, but not as pronounced as a beer bread made with IPA.Irish Beer Bread. For a St. Patrick’s Day recipe, use an Irish beer. Guinness Beer Bread or an Irish red ale such as Smithwick’s would both be festive.

The Ingredients

Flour. Adding some white whole wheat flour along with the all-purpose flour adds a nutritional boost.

Beer. The star of the show! Beer reacts with the flour and baking powder to help the bread rise. I recommend using a beer you like drinking for the most enjoyable flavor. See “The Best Beer for Beer Bread” above for more tips.Garlic Powder. An optional but truly delicious mix-in. It gives the bread a savory touch. Honey. For natural sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the beer flavor.Butter. A drizzle of melted butter over the top of the bread batter results in an exceptionally scrumptious crust and gives it a beautiful color.

The Directions

Beer Bread Recipe Variations

Try one of these additions, or make a combination. For example, I have a Rosemary Cheddar Cornbread in my cookbook that is heavenly. Or to make this beer bread with self-rising flour, replace the whole wheat and all-purpose flours with the same amount of self-rising flour. Omit the baking powder, and salt.

Cheese Beer Bread. Fold in 2/3 cup shredded cheese. Cheddar is classic, pepper jack will make the beer bread a little spicy, and fontina or gouda is fun for an Italian twist.Herb. Fold in 2 teaspoons dried herbs or 1 tablespoon fresh. Try rosemary, basil, or thyme.Parmesan Beer Bread. Fold in ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (great combined with herbs and garlic).Garlic Beer Bread. Stir 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder in with the dry ingredients.Spicy Beer Bread. Fold in 1 diced jalapeno and 2/3 cup pepper jack cheese.

Storage Tips

To Store. Store bread in a paper towel-lined airtight storage container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.To Freeze. Freeze bread in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Loaf Pan. Perfect for making this quick bread recipe!Instant Read Thermometer. The easiest way to check your bread for doneness. Mixing Bowls. Ideal for mixing the bread ingredients.

This easy beer bread is an instant upgrade! Serve it with tonight’s dinner, enjoy the leftovers tomorrow at breakfast, or surprise your friends with a loaf.