Honey Beer Bread

Have you ever heard of Tastefully Simple?  My friend used to be a consultant for them and my favorite thing to buy from her was the Beer Bread Mix.  It was fabulous.  We could finish off a loaf in one day, no problem.  I didn't think about making a homemade version until I saw this recipe the other day.

Other than the incredible texture, part of what makes beer bread so good is that crunchy topping you get as a result of pouring melted butter over the top of the dough before baking.

Beer Bread isn't supposed to be a very sweet bread, but I do think this version could use a little more sugar.  I still like it plain with butter or honey, but it is great served alongside dinner or dipped in a soup.

If you don't like cooking with alcoholic beer, they do make non-alcoholic beer (O'doul's) that you could use and I'm sure you would get the same effect.

Honey Beer Bread

adapted from: Life After Empty Nest
(Printable Recipe) or (Printable with Picture)

1 c. bread flour

2 c. all-purpose flour

1 Tbl. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 Tbl. sugar*

3 Tbl. honey

1 (12 oz.) bottle beer

4 Tbl. melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan; set aside.  In a large bowl, whisk together the bread flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.  Stir in the honey and beer and whisk until combined.  Dough will be very thick.  Spread into prepared loaf pan.  Pour melted butter over the top, do not stir.  Bake for 45-55 minutes or until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Yield: 1 loaf. 

*Jenn's Notes: My only recommendation would be to add a little more sugar (at least a few more Tablespoons).  I prefer mine slightly sweeter.  Everything else was perfect.