Easy Homemade Beer Bread Recipe

This easy homemade beer bread recipe is always a hit! Malty, yeasty, and slightly sweet and chewy, you’ll be ready to slather another slice with butter!

Have you ever been to a steakhouse that offered beer bread with your meals? I’m thinking of one specifically that offers large mini loaves with your own cutting knife and whipped cinnamon butter… Mmmm…

These days we don’t eat out as often. We’ve cut back on expenses, including dining out at restaurants, and there’s also a sense of satisfaction in knowing exactly what you’re eating and how it was prepared. Mr. Crumbs and I can taste the difference, even if I’ve followed someone else’s recipe.

Beer bread is no different. I’ve made many different yeasted bread recipes, but this recipe is one of the easiest and most flavorful!

If you’re new to using yeast, try this beer bread recipe first. You’ll love the results and feel empowered by the success to try another new bread recipe!

EASY BEER BREAD RECIPE

Not only is this homemade beer bread recipe one of the simplest breads I’ve made, but it’s also:

• Full of flavor! If you’ve never had beer bread before, it’s a combination of malty, yeasty, and sweet. The beer flavor is subtle, but it’s not overpowering. Instead, you get a slightly chewy, earthy loaf perfect for slathering in butter.
• Versatile. Perfect for sandwiches, as toast with jam, or even for dipping with your favorite soups!
• Freezer-friendly! Make it ahead for your monthly meal plan and freeze it for when you need it. Here is how to freeze your favorite bread and other baked goods!

HOMEMADE BEER BREAD RECIPE INGREDIENTS

• Bread Flour. If you don’t have bread flour, substitute all purpose flour by adding 1 Tablespoon of vital wheat gluten for each cup of all-purpose flour used. Whole wheat flour is a little heavy for this bread, but works if you are used to eating it regularly.
• Cooked Rice. Use brown or white rice leftover from a previous meal. You won’t notice it in the finished loaf, but this gives a really nice texture to the beer bread.
• Brown Sugar. You can also use coconut sugar or honey – the yeast eats most of the sugar to activate, and the bread turns out just slightly sweet.
• Active Dry Yeast. Yeast is what makes the bread puff up and have a fluffier texture.
• Wheat Bran. This adds a nutty flavor to the bread and helps with the texture of the crust.
• Salt. Salt enhances the flavor.
• Strong Beer. Ale or stout are your best choices of beer for bread, but use whatever beer you have on hand, at room temperature.
• Milk or buttermilk. I’ve made this using both buttermilk and a milk/vinegar buttermilk substitute and both have come out delicious.

Some classic beer bread recipes use self-rising flour or baking powder and pour melted butter over the beer bread for a super buttery crust. I haven’t used these ingredients myself, because this recipe is SO good as it is written. But let me know if you try these recipe variations.

HOW TO MAKE RECIPES FOR BEER BREAD

Step 1. In a mixer or large mixing bowl, stir to combine the dry ingredients.

Step 2. Add the beer and milk and mix on low speed with the dough hook attachment until the dough comes together. Add additional milk or flour as needed and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 3. Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl and cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in volume, for about 1 ½ hours.

Step 4. Grease two loaf pans with cooking spray. Punch down the dough and shape it into two loaves.

Step 5. Place each loaf in a greased pan and cover with a towel. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in volume again, about 1 ½ hours.

Step 6. Near the end of the second rise, preheat the oven to 350F. Bake the loaves until the crust is golden brown, for 35-45 minutes. Remove from pans and let the beer bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Store beer bread leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. I like to slice bread before freezing it so it’s easier to pull out just what I need to thaw.

SERVE WITH BEER FOR BREAD RECIPE

In addition to being perfectly sliced for sandwiches, or toasted and topped with garlic butter, enjoy this easy beer bread recipe with soups, stews, and meaty dishes!

OR cube it and serve as an appetizer to dip into Homemade Hummus or your favorite cheese fondue! YUM!

BEST BEER BREAD RECIPE EASY TIPS

You can also make a yummy cinnamon butter to spread on beer bread! Just start with ½ cup of butter and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in a large bowl. Gradually beat in 1 tablespoon of honey at a time until you’ve reached the desired sweetness and consistency!

Baking bread in the summer? Don’t want to, or can’t use an oven? Try baking recipes for beer bread (or a different type of bread) in a slow cooker instead! It comes out delicious and extra soft – perfect for sandwiches with Homemade Lunch Meat.

BEER FROM BREAD RECIPE FAQS

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