Beer Bread!

One of the many perks to having a keg of beer at your party, in addition to actually drinking the beer, is using up the leftover beer to make beer bread. Loaves and loaves of beer bread. Beer bread with cheese,  cheese and herbs, cheese and garlic, walnuts, green onions and cheese, walnuts and raisins - so many options! I can't remember where I got this recipe (probably allrecipes.com) but I have used it without fail over and over again. Note, if you have leftover cider instead of beer, you can use it to make a sweet breakfast bread. Stir in some cinnamon, cloves, etc, and possibly add a layer of jam in the middle of the dough. It works wonderfully!

Beer Bread

3 c. all purpose flour

2 Tbs baking powder

3-4 Tbs sugar

1 tsp salt

1 can/bottle of beer (~341 ml)

Optional: 1 c. grated cheddar cheese, tsp of thyme/oregano/and basil, 1/2 tsp of garlic powder, etc. etc.

1. Sift dry ingredients together. If adding optional ingredients, stir  in next.

2. Pour beer into well in the centre of dry ingredients. Mix just until the dough comes together.

3. Place in a greased 9 x 4" loaf pan (butter, margarine, whatever) and bake for 50-60minutes at 350 degrees F.

4. Let cool in pan for 3-4 minutes before flipping out onto a rack to finish cooling (this prevents soggy bread bottoms!)

Cheese beer bread