Honey Whole Wheat Beer Bread

Sweet, chewy, and wholesome, this honey whole wheat beer bread is a perfect whole grain quick bread. Bread with no yeast, no kneading - this simple recipe of pantry staples (and beer) always comes in handy!

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With the current pandemic, it feels like the world changed overnight, down to groceries readily available and even how often we go grocery shopping. With yeast absent from store shelves and wanting to only use basic ingredients I have on hand, I was inspired to make this honey whole wheat beer bread when I saw a bottle of beer and a partial bag of whole wheat flour.

Why This is the BEST Honey Whole Wheat Beer Bread

It's simple, it's incredibly quick to mix together, and is a very low-maintenance bread recipe. It also requires minimal ingredients.

Most breads require yeast, mixing, kneading, proofing - not beer bread! Just mix and bake!

It also doesn't hurt that everyone from my husband to the one-year-old gobbled up this bread and loved it!

What is beer bread?

Beer bread is a type of quick bread that uses the yeast in the beer to help leaven the bread.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Whole wheat pastry flour or whole wheat flour
• Beer (any type)
• Honey
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Butter (optional)

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula spoon
• Loaf pan (9x5)

How to Make This Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 375 and prepare your loaf pan by either greasing it with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and honey in a large bowl. Pour in your beer and stir until all ingredients are evenly mixed.
3. Place dough into prepared loaf pan.
4. If desired, cut your tablespoon of butter into small, tiny squares and place them on top of the dough. This will add a little extra flavor and crispiness to the loaf top.
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until an inserted butter knife comes out clean.
6. Remove from oven and let cool in the loaf pan 5-10 minutes. Transfer to a wire baking rack to finish cooling.

Top Tips for the Best Beer Bread

• It doesn't matter what type of beer you use. Use whatcha have and prefer!
• Most beer bottles are 12 oz, but it's okay if yours is slightly under.
• Whole wheat pastry flour will yield a slightly lighter texture and regular whole wheat flour will be slightly denser. What's pictured here is regular whole wheat flour.
• You can substitute sugar or maple syrup for honey.
• Don't forget the baking powder! It's not always needed in many beer bread recipes, but I found it helpful in combination with the yeast in the beer to leaven the bread slightly more given the denser whole wheat flour.

Serving Suggestions

It's soooo good as is - especially warm with a little butter on top! It's also delicious with a little almond butter or easy chia jam, and makes a great base for avocado toast, too!

We enjoy our beer bread with anything from breakfast to snacks to an accompaniment to dinner. I personally love a piece of this hearty bread with salads, soups, and stews! Here are some of my favorites:

• Easy Turkey Chili
• Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Salad
• Carrot and Lentil Soup
• Instant Pot Potato Soup
• Lentil Stew with Turnip Greens
• Chicken & Kale White Bean Chili

Will beer bread make you drunk?

If you're wondering about the alcohol in beer bread and any residual effects, have no fear! The alcohol evaporates out while baking. You absolutely will not get intoxicated in the slightest from beer bread.

Can kids have beer bread?

Kids can eat beer bread and it's safe to send to school. The alcohol completely evaporates from the bread when baking. With zero trace of alcohol, it is completely safe for kids to consume.

However - note that this particular honey wheat beer bread recipe has honey, which is not safe for infants under age one to consume. If you make this bread and want to share with an older baby, substitute sugar or maple syrup.

Nutrition Highlights

The beer bread makes 12 slices. Each slice contains:

• 145 calories
• 2 grams fat
• 29 grams carbohydrates
• 3 grams fiber
• 4 grams protein
• 6% daily value calcium
• 6% daily value iron
• 6% daily value potassium

Is it healthy?

With simple ingredients and made from 100% whole grains, this whole wheat beer bread can definitely be part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Know, too, that “healthy” is subjective. The foods that help one maintain their health may or may not work for you - and that’s okay! Honor the body you have. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I suggest eating a variety of nourishing foods that help you feel good and achieve or maintain your health, balanced with the foods you love. Remember - an election isn’t won with every vote, but the majority. Your health is the same way - the overall dietary pattern is what matters most.

Apply for 1:1 nutrition coaching with me if you'd like help creating a healthy diet without restriction that can help you meet your goals and live a happy, healthy life!

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• Spinach and Feta Muffins
• Spinach Banana Muffins
• Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
• Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

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