Beer Bread is the perfect side kick to a comforting bowl of chili or a warm cup of soup. This recipe is a simple favorite! 
How many of you have read the Confessions of a Shopaholic book series? Total brain candy, but laugh out loud hilarious. Do you know the part in the 1st book where she wants to save money, and part of that plan is to stop eating out so often? Since Curry is one of her favorite foods, she makes the decision to start making her own Curry at home? Well, to make her own Curry, she had to go to the perfect store, find all of the right ingredients and of course you can’t make Curry with the right pans, the right utensils and the right clothes to wear when you are making it. In the end, her effort to save money by eating at home instead of going out to a restaurant resulted in her spending hundreds of dollars in “necessities”.
I can totally relate to that part of the book. Not that I’m a shopaholic (ok…I confess…I may have a tiny little problem there) but we have officially started a budget at our house. Just hearing the word “budget” makes me want to cringe. When I brought it up to my husband that I think we should really start managing our money better, he about fainted. Being the financially savvy guy that he is, he has been nagging me for years about this. I have always resisted having the actual conversation surrounding budgeting, until now.
I recently came across a really cool envelope budgeting system online called Mvelopes. The system is just like the paper envelope money management system that so many people use, but with Mvelopes everything is done electronically. I decided that this was just the tool (because, you know… every non-shopaholic needs to find the perfect tool) I was looking for as I love the envelope system, but didn’t like the idea of actually having the cash around the house. Mvelopes had a free 14 day trial, which I signed up for. Would you like to know what I spent the first 14 days of my Mvelopes membership doing? Shopping! Yes… I decided that before I actually started tracking our spending and became accountable to my husband for all the pennies that came out of my envelopes, I had better buy everything that wasn’t necessary beforehand. Every little thing that was a want versus a need was purchased. I got some new salon shampoo and conditioner, a pedicure, some camera accessories, some new clothes, etc. I hooked myself up completely and then got my envelopes on Mvelopes all set up! (It really is a great system now that I’ve gotten serious about it…you should check it out!)
The cheesy beer bread was part of my “getting serious” about budgeting time. I spent all last week making meals only out of what I had in my pantry, fridge and freezer. One night I made a delicious pasta dish and decided that I needed some homemade beer bread with it, but had only an hour until dinnertime. I opened up my fridge, noticed a can of beer and some cheddar cheese and decided to make cheesy beer bread. Whatever your reason for eating at home (and if it is not because you are pinching pennies, I am totally jealous), complete your meal with this inexpensive and delicious recipe for Cheesy Beer Bread. No fancy plates, clothes, utensils necessary.
I got this beer bread recipe off of Cate over at Sweetnicks blog who got it from Susan at Farmgirl Fare. I didn’t use the dill…would have meant a trip to the store which would have resulted in me buying more than just dill, I’m sure! I also did not do the optional glaze.
Cheesy Beer Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- Farmgirl Susan's Beyond Easy Dill &Cheddar Beer Bread Recipe
- Makes One Loaf
- Basic Beer Bread Mix:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder make sure it's fresh!
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill or 2 teaspoons dried -
- 1 cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 12 ounces beer
- Optional glaze: 1 egg & 2 teaspoons water beaten
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, dill, and cheddar in a large mixing bowl. Slowly stir in beer and mix just until combined. Batter will be thick. Spread in a greased 8-inch loaf pan , brush with egg glaze if desired, and bake until golden brown and a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.
- Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool 10 more minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Saw your blog on the “Julie ad Julia” website as a featured blog. AWESOME! Congrats!
rookie cookies last blog post..Lava Flow (sans alcohol)
What a simple and tasty looking recipe! I must try it! I TOTALLY can relate to the “buying the necessities” issue. My friends and I call it GAS (Gear Acquiring Syndrome). We all have GAS. I suffer from it with sports and music gear and now with cooking appliances and accessories. It’s awesome and terrible!
Deannas last blog post..Baked’s Peanut Butter Pie
That bread looks amazing…cheesy and tender! It may be November before it’s cool enough in Texas to bake again, but I’ve bookmarked this gem on delicious so I won’t lose the recipe. Thanks!
Well we go to the grocery store for fun, so no doubt we end up buying more than we need. It’s a curse! Beer bread is next on the list. Adding the cheese is a must.
The Duo Dishess last blog post..Washing Away the Blues
LOL! Love your story! I have only read the first book, but after my 5 day mom-cation and the inevitable return to reality, my brain could use a little candy.
I have been cooking from home this week too, for a couple reasons. I haven’t even had a chance to hit the store since I got back late Sunday night and I’m trying to make up for the spending I did while I was out. We had pasta tossed with grated zucchini (garden), grape and yellow pear tomatoes (garden), and shrimp scampi. I was amazed at what a delicious meal I put together with ingredients I already had.
Katie @ goodLife {eats}s last blog post..To Taste Tuesday – Green Food
Hahaha the Shopaholic books are some of my favorites! And your bread looks amazing; i love anything with dill in it!
DessertObsesseds last blog post..Los Angeles Dessert Tour: First Stop, Sweet Hart Sweets
Loved that book series… and just watched the movie this weekend! I could relate to needing all the “perfect” tools to make something… we bought a Chinese cookbook, then went directly to the Asian market and bought the wok, some other tools and all the ingredients!
Good luck with your new system!
Patsyks last blog post..Pan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
That is sooo funny!! Off to check out mvelopes now! I’ve been in need of something that WORKS for quite some time now!
Naomis last blog post..Disparity …
I stumbled upon your blog tonight looking for a recipe (which I’ve now forgotten) and I’ve stayed up waaaaay too late enjoying page after page of your recipes and writing!!
Need to check out mvelopes..I do need that money management system. This cheesy bread looks fantastic. Have fun at the conference!
verons last blog post..Not Bouillabaisse
That Menvelope program sounds great. Thanks for the excellent tip!
This bread looks fantastic, making use of that leftover beer (is there such a thing?!) is very budget conscious!
Martas last blog post..Venison-Stuffed Peppers to Go Around
This was such a great post! I’m definitely going to check out that website. I am trying to pay more attention to the money i spend on food and start using up leftovers more. I hate when I have to throw things away. The bigger challenge is trying to eat healthy on a budget. Carbs are so cheap but definitely not good for the middle!
Anything that involves both cheese and beer I’m a big fan of. By the way, have you given mint.com a try for your budgeting needs? The site is amazing…tracks all of your accounts, what you spend your money on…I can’t recommend it enough.
Hi Kristin! Love the beer bread recipe–I was just lamenting the fact that I had run out of beer bread mix from Tastefully Simple, which I adore. I had no idea beer bread from scratch was this easy!
I also use http://www.mint.com. It’s free and and it works wonderfully. Good luck with the budgeting!
I love beer bread. Gonna have to check out Mvelopes. Thanks!
Hon, that bread is bookmarked!
Sounds like a great recipe.
I love those books! And I do the same thing when I try to budget, so I’ve stopped trying: I actually save more money when I’m not concentrating on saving money!
Looks yummy! I love beer bread so much! I will buy a six pack just to make the beer and then give the rest of the beer to my neighbor! It’s really good w/ a garlic spread on it too…
If there is cheese in it you find me there:D
hahaha…hilarious post!
i used to be a shopaholic too when i was really young. somehow you got excuses for your behavior, tough work, failed relationship, irregular period…..
now, i realize i have something that i can never shop from anywhere no matter how much money i have. my 2 boys, big and little!
Who says you can’t use what ingredients and utensils you have and still make delicious food in the end! I’ve made some great discoveries that way 🙂 I’m going to have to bookmark this yummy-sounding bread.
By the way, I’ve (finally!) introduced my adoptee over on my blog today!
What are the flecks of red in the bread? It sure looks wonderful.
I have heard about the fabulous texture of beer bread but I have never actually ventured in that direction to try it. However, this post has reminded me (and provided me with the recipe) to finally try it. Thanks.
Cracking me up! Seriously, yes we are going on a budget, but never thought to buy all the things I, ahem, NEED beforehand! If caught I’ll just blame it all on you 🙂
Cannot wait to try this out! Thanks so much for sharing!
Great meeting you at the food bloggers dinner on Friday! Hope you had a safe trip home. See you at BlogHer ’10! And let me know if you ever need any London restaurant recs!
I am so making this.
this beer bread was very good. I milled some spelt and rye to make it which was great, but over powered the dill and cheese. I made it again tonight with freshly milled wheat and cornmeal (and no cheese or dill). So great. Big ‘ol slab of butter…even better.
.-= Daily Diner´s last blog ..Sucanat and Rapadura–UPDATED 7/29/09 =-.
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to try out this recipe.
Simple and easy and I have all the ingredients around the house!
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..TWD: Classic Banana Bundt Cake with Lemon Glaze =-.
Going to a birthday luncheon today and just remembered I told the ladies I would bring the bread! I have to leave in an a little over 2 hours. This looks doable and yum to go along side salad, etc.
I’m not a bread maker so I hope it’s as easy as you say. AND foolproof or I’ll be running by the grocery store on the way.
.-= Amy from She Wears Many Hats´s last blog ..Chicken and Rice is oh so nice. =-.
I love those books, they are so fun! Love this bread, great way to budget:)
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Just saw this on Pinterest! will be bookmarking it!!
I made the bread – thought it was a little bland. Really easy though.
Made this tonight with pyramid oatmeal stout and smoked guyere cheese. Added granulated garlic, fresh cracked pepper, rosemary, thyme, and then egg washed the top and put coarse seasalt. Used almost no butter it was that good! Super flavorful depending on what cheese and beer you use.
Ok, I’m not a beer drinker. Can you recommend something good or even what you used. This sounds amazing!
Thanks
Made this today for lunch to go with some yummy soup. It was easy and delicious- thanks!