Beer Bread, Take 2

I have become slightly obsessed with this bread making.  Who knew it was so easy?  I used to only buy the packaged mixes and throw them in my bread machine.  It was easy but took forever.  And I was just too intimidated to try the whole "from scratch" thing with the yeast and the rising and the punching and the kneading.  It was just all too much.  But this baking with beer thing is working for me.  And my family keeps gobbling it up.  I try to change it up a little each time just for experimental purposes.  So, this time I used a recipe from the Shiner website. It is close to my original except it adds an egg and salt and of course I decided to throw in some sharp cheddar cheese.  Very yummy.  I think I liked the addition of the egg because it made the bread a little fluffier.  But, it is totally not necessary because my original recipe from my last post was yummy, too.

Here's what I started with (all at room temperature).

It looks rough in the pan but all of those bumps turn into yummy crispy bits.

It is near impossible for me to wait the suggested cooling time.

So I usually don't!  I just dump it out of the pan and start slicing.

Here is the recipe...to which I added a handful of shredded sharp cheddar cheese after I added the egg and beer and I still poured the melted butter over the top before baking like in the last recipe.  I also only baked it for 45 minutes.  I guess my oven is speedy, quick.

Shiner Beer Bread

3 c. self-rising flour

2 T. sugar

1 t. salt
1 egg, beaten

1 12-oz. Shiner beer (room temperature)

1/2 c shredded sharp cheddar

3 T butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, sugar and salt; add beaten egg and Shiner beer. Add cheese.  Beat about 17 strokes. (Do not overbeat). Pour into greased 5-1/2 x 9-1/2″ bread pan. Pour melted butter over top.  Bake about one hour, or until done. Cool to slice. Makes one loaf.

Original recipe from Shiner is in black with my additions in red.  Feel free to try either version.

Now I must decide how I am going to change it up for next time.  If you have any yummy suggestions, please do share!

Easy Beer Bread

I finally tackled the beer bread and boy was it easy.  I wowed the crowd (my kids)!  They couldn't believe how fast and simple it was and oh, so tasty.  And since I forgot to take pictures the first time, I decided to make a another loaf.  And I still forgot to take pictures before I baked it.  I guess I can do that next time because I will def be making it again.  The first time I used 2 tbsp sugar and the second time I increased it to 1/4 cup.  Still haven't decided which I like better.  For even more of a beer taste, you could omit the sugar if you wanted.  And the first time, I brushed a small amount of melted butter on top before baking.  The second time I poured 3 tbsp melted butter on top and it was much better.  I also chose Shiner Bock beer because there is nothing finer than a Shiner. HaHa.  You want to choose a quality beer because a cheap beer will give you a bitter tasting bread.

Beer Bread

3 cups self-rising flour*

2 Tbsp - 1/4 cup sugar

1 12 oz bottle/can of beer (I used Shiner Bock)

3 tbsp butter, melted

Mix together flour, sugar and beer just until flour soaks up all of the beer.  DO NOT over mix.  Put dough into a well- greased loaf pan (9x5x3).  Use a spoon to push the dough into the corners to even it out but don't press dough too much.  It will appear lumpy on top but that's okay.  Pour melted butter over top of dough. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 min. - 1 hour. 

*to make self-rising flour out of all-purpose flour, add 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt for each cup of flour and sift.  Don't skip the sifting!

Another tip, spoon the self-rising flour into the measuring cup and lightly level off.  If you scoop it or press it down too much, your bread will be tough.

Try it and let me know what you think!

Bliss Snickerdoodle cookies

I needed a warm cookie fix the other night and here is what I came up with. Hershey's Bliss filled snickerdoodles.  They couldn't have been any easier or yummier!  I took break apart snickerdoodle cookie dough and wrapped it around Bliss chocolates.  I used both White Chocolate and Caramel filled Dark Chocolate.  I loved them both.  

You should try it for yourself!  I will definitely be making these again.