Beer Bread with Cheese

Ingredients

• 3 Cups All-Purpose Flour ( – spooned and leveled (364 grams))
• 3 whole Scallions (– sliced as thinly as possible (heaping 1/3 cup))
• 1 Cup Freshly Shredded White Cheddar Cheese
• 2 TBS Granulated Sugar ((25 grams))
• 1 TBS Baking Powder
• 3/4 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
• 1/8 to 1/4 tsp Chili Powder (– to taste (I use 1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder))
• to taste Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper
• 1 (12-ounce) Bottle or Can Beer ( – good flavor; one you like to drink (I use an IPA session ale))
• 4 TBS Honey
• 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter (– melted and cooled slightly; DIVIDED in half)
• Optional for Serving: Whipped Herb Butter (or Honey Butter, Grated Parmesan, Smoked Paprika)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat Oven and Prep Loaf Pan: Arrange oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 375-degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray or butter and set aside.

2. 2

   Mix Dry Ingredients and Cheese: Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour with the scallions, all but 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese, sugar, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, and chili powder. Season with a heaping teaspoon of kosher salt and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Use a whisk to stir the ingredients together until fully combined.

3. 3

   Add Wet Ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour the beer, honey, and ¼ cup of the melted butter into the well. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir the ingredients together until JUST combined. (Note: The batter should appear thick and lumpy. A couple of small flour pockets is perfectly fine. DO NOT over-mix.)

4. 4

   Add Beer Bread Batter to Loaf Pan: Carefully pour the bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Use a spatula to gently smooth the top of the batter.

5. 5

   Pour Butter Over Batter: Pour Remaining Butter over Batter: Slowly and evenly pour the remaining ¼ cup of melted butter all over the top of the beer bread. Then, sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of cheese all over the bread. (Tip: Use a pastry brush if you’d like to ensure the entire top of the bread is coated in melted butter.) (Note: I also like to sift smoked paprika all over my bread before baking. This is totally optional.)

6. 6

   Bake Beer Bread in Oven: Bake Beer Bread: Place the bread into the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the beer bread comes out clean – a few moist crumbs are perfectly fine. (Note: I bake my bread for 44 minutes.)

7. 7

   Let Bread Cool Completely: Cool Cheese Beer Bread: Transfer the loaf pan to a wire rack and let the beer bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, invert the bread onto the wire rack and let the cheddar beer bread cool until just warm to the touch, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

8. 8

   Slice and Serve Beer Bread with Cheese: Slice and Serve Beer Cheese Bread: Slice the cheddar honey beer bread into thick 1-inch slices and serve warm with whipped herb butter or honey butter. Enjoy!