BEER BREAD IS DELICIOUS

Found an easy bread recipe to add to my repertoire (trying to get better at baking), and successfully baked my first loaf of beer bread from scratch. I used Pabst ("The Pepsi of Beer" as Stu calls it), and it is SO GOOD. I sliced a piece off the end and slathered it with butter and...YUM.

Here's the recipe, in case you want to try it:

3 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/4 c. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
12 oz beer (1 bottle)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix ingredients (will NOT look like regular dough - more gloppy). Put dough in lightly greased loaf pan (make sure it's even). Bake 1 hour. During the last 10 minutes, brush top of loaf w/ butter.

Yep. That's it. I did use all-natural cane sugar...and the recipe also says you can add herbs or cheese (or both), if you like. I'm thinking sharp cheddar with dill or rosemary could be good...?? I just made a plain loaf for starts to see if it would turn out, and I am very happy with my results.

Stu's mom gave us a bunch of strawberries, so next up: Strawberry Bread (recipe below).

1/3 c. butter, softened
2/3 c. sugar
2 eggs
3 tbsp. sour cream
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp.salt
1 c. strawberries, cut into pieces

Preheat oven to 350 F. Microwave butter until soft, then add sugar. Add eggs, mix, then add sour cream. Mix in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and mix. Stir in strawberry pieces. Pour into greased bread pan. Let mix sit 20 minutes before putting into the oven. Bake at 350 F for 50-55 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 min. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack, then serve.

IT SOUNDS SO GOOD. :)

Also: I am enjoying baking immensely (mostly I like it 'cause I can whip up the dough and then let it sit/bake while I do other things like dishes, laundry, or knitting)

Tonight I'm also working on my first hat with ribbing...interesting, so far. Hope it works, b/c this yarn is gorgeous!