Name: 4 Ingredient Beer Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 1 loaf
Ingredients: 3 cups self rising flour; 2 tablespoons sugar; 3 tablespoons butter (melted); 1 12oz can of beer

Jump to Recipe

This Beer Bread recipe is easy to make and only requires 4 ingredients! It comes out of the oven with the most beautiful textured golden crust. By covering the dough in butter before you pop in in the oven you create a crispy, buttery top. When you bite into a fresh slice you can literally hear the crunch of the crust, follow by the soft bread inside. The flavor is truly unique. It reminds me of a mellow sourdough with a hint of beer in the background. In a subtle, can’t place the flavor, kind of way.

Easy Beer Bread Recipe

Is there a smell better that baking bread? I’m going to answer that for you, NO! Or how about the taste of a freshly sliced piece of homemade bread with (real, salted) butter melting over the top. My mouth is watering!

But let me quickly break you out of this carb trance with the the thought of kneading, proofing, kneading, proofing, waiting….exhausting….boring! I do not have time for all that. Do you??

That is why I was thrilled when my sister gave me this recipe a few years ago!! It requires no kneading, no proofing, no waiting! You just sift flour, open a beer, pour, and mix. Anyone can do that. Even my husband can do that, maybe.

How to Make 4 Ingredients for Beer Bread

Yep, only 4 simple ingredients for this beer bread recipe. If you happen to have self rising flour (that is not expired) in your pantry then you can make this now! All you need is:

12 oz beer
3 cups self rising flour
2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp butter

You will also need a couple bowls because there is a little sifting involved.

Start by sifting 3 cups of flour into a bowl. Then out of that sifted flour measure 3 cups, you will be surprised how much is left after sifting and re-measuring! Mix the 3 measured cups of sifted flour with the sugar.

Pour the beer into a seperate bowl, then pour the flour/sugar mixture into the beer. Stir the mixture very lightly JUST UNTIL IT comes together. Over mixing will cause your beer bread to be tough.

Pour the bread dough into a greased loaf pan. Then melt the 3 tbsp of butter and pour over top of the dough. That is what will give you a golden crispy crust! YUM

Now bake the beer bread on 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Let the butter cool for about 5 minutes before digging in.

Variations on Beer Bread

This bread can be spiced up, literally, to go with the menu you are serving or to use up herbs you have in your fridge. Here are some ideas for adding flavors to your bread:

chopped fresh rosemary
italian herb mixture
fresh minced garlic
dill
shredded cheddar cheese and garlic
chopped chives
kalamata olives

Beer for Beer Bread

From the research I have done online it looks like you can use just about any beer you would like, pilsner, light beer, stout, IPA. Just like using wine in food, use a beer that you would like to drink. Although I would recommend staying away from some of the new flavored beers, like lime and orange.

I have used Miller Light, Bud Light, and Boulevard Pale Ale and they have all worked perfectly! Let me know in the comments what type of beer you choose to use in the recipe!

Serving Beer Bread

4 Ingredient Beer Bread makes an amazing table bread, especially if you are able to serve it straight out of the oven when it is crispiest! If you choose to make this bread ahead follow these steps to make the most delicious golden toasty table bread:

Cut bread into thick slices
Butter both sides and place them on a sheet pan. Add any seasoning you would like (garlic).
Place in a 400 degree oven for 5-8 minutes, flipping the slices half way thru.

I hope you try this 4 Ingredient Bread in your kitchen.

Love, Susie