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Dori’s Hard Cider Bread

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Homemade hard cider bread is so easy to make and a perfect accompaniment to stew, soup, chili and more.  You can use this recipe with your favorite beer for homemade beer bread, or use hard cider like we do. It is wonderful on its own or with a bit of butter.

Small plate with slice of beer bread topped with melty butter, ready to eat.

Beer bread is such a delicious quick and easy way to make bread.  It only takes a few ingredients and you likely have them in you pantry already.

You can even mix the dry ingredients ahead of time and store them in a jar or plastic bag in the pantry. Then all you have to do is add the hard cider or beer and bake the bread when you are ready.

Freshly baked loaf of homemade beer bread in glass loaf pan.

A jar of mix with a cute tag describing baking instructions makes a fun gift as well. Making your own like this is so much more economical than buying a similar mix in a gourmet kitchen store.

The bread batter only takes a minute or two to put together. Then it bakes to golden perfection.

The inside is soft and delicious. The crust has a slight crunch and the butter makes the top extra flavorful.

Loaf of beer bread cooling on wire rack.

We love serving it with a bowl of soup. This most recent loaf was enjoyed with a bowl of venison chili.

Of course a slice with some butter (and possibly honey) is fabulous on its own as well.  Whip some up at a moment’s notice.

Our History With This Recipe

This is one of the original recipes that was sent it when I put out a request for recipes from family and friends way back before this website was even an idea.  Who would have guessed that a quick email like that would have resulted in a blog that is still going strong all these years later?!

It has been a wild ride to say the least.  A lot of those early recipes that are the real reason why this blog is here are in need of some updating.

Loaf of beer bread with a few slices cut.

I hope to work my way back through them as time allows.  When I made the apple pumpkin chili, I knew this beer bread with a hard cider twist would be a perfect side and I was right!

My husband’s Aunt Dori said that hard cider bread is a favorite of guests at her house.  I have had beer bread before, always made with a lager.

In fact, I usually made from whatever beer our friends brought over and left behind.  You know, the ones you won’t drink but you could make bread out of!

But Dori had a few suggestions, and none of them were that.  She said that dark crafty beers were really good.

I had always wondered about that, but had been afraid to try it.  She also said that their nieces went crazy over a loaf made with hard cider.

golden brown loaf of beer bread ready to be sliced.

Hard cider?!  In beer bread?!  

Now you have my attention.  I have to try that!

So, I put that theory to the test and made a loaf to go with our pulled pork chili for dinner.  You know what?  It is really good!

Beer bread is a little sweet anyway, so the apple really goes well in the recipe.  We also paired some hard cider bread with some spicy black bean soup and the sweet was a really nice balance to the heat.

If you aren’t in the mood for bread, homemade cheese crackers would be a great option with your bowl of soup as well. Or make some chili cheese spritz crackers for another fun option.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What kinds of beer should you use in beer bread?

Ales, lagers and porters are all good. Hard cider makes a really tasty beer bread as well!

Should beer be warm or cold for beer bread?

You can use warm temperature or cold beer for beer bread, both work really well.

How do you store beer bread?

Beer bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the loaf or any remaining slices for up to 3 months.

Gifting Beer Bread Mix

For a fun gift, mix together the dry ingredients and put in a quart jar. Add a tag that includes the baking directions.

If you want, you can even include a can or bottle of beer as well. Then all the recipient has to do is pour it in, stir it up and bake it.

Hand holding slice of beer bread in front of pulled pork chili.

Or whip up a few sets of the mix for yourself and store them in the pantry. Then you can bake a loaf of beer bread with no measuring required!

Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!

Small plate with slice of beer bread topped with melty butter, ready to eat.

Hard Cider Bread

Carlee
Homemade beer bread is so easy to make and a perfect accompaniment to stew, soup, chili and more.  It is also perfect on it’s own with just a schmear of butter!
4.96 from 21 ratings
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 185 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • teaspoon salt
  • 12 oz room temperature hard cider or beer
  • 1 Tablespoons butter melted

Instructions
 

  • Mix the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
    3 cups all purpose flour, 4½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ cup granulated sugar, 1½ teaspoon salt
  • Add the hard cider (or beer) and mix until combined.
    12 oz room temperature hard cider or beer
  • Spread in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan
  • Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes
  • Brush top of loaf with butter and return to oven for at least 10 more minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean
    1 Tablespoons butter

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 458mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10g
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Recipe Rating




Wanda Loftin

Monday 12th of December 2022

I have made this bread, except I made rolls using a muffin pan. Thank you for sharing

Carlee

Monday 12th of December 2022

Making it as muffins is a great idea!

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies

Sunday 15th of October 2017

I haven't made beer bread in years!! And yes, it normally gets the beer that wasn't a hit. The last one I tried was a pumpkin ale that wasn't our thing, but was fantastic for other things.... Like bread!

Carlee

Monday 16th of October 2017

Oooh, a pumpkin ale bread would be fun to try!

Val

Tuesday 10th of October 2017

I love the idea of using a card cider in the bread! Nothing beats fresh baked, homemade bread :)

Carlee

Monday 16th of October 2017

And beer bread makes it so easy! The hard cider works really well in it!

Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen

Monday 9th of October 2017

You know I'm a homemade bread fanatic right? I feel like you posted this just for me! It sounds sooooo good, and so perfect for fall!

Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes

Tuesday 10th of October 2017

I have never heard of anything as amazing as this! Hard cider in a bread! Really? And the loaf looks perfect! Need to try asap!

Carlee

Monday 9th of October 2017

I totally did, Kelsie! ;-) xoxo

Andrea Nine

Monday 9th of October 2017

Perfect with the Pumpkin Chili or Black Bean soup, I bet this makes the house smell amazing!! Love the addition of a hard cider. Have a marvelous Monday!!

Carlee

Monday 9th of October 2017

It is soooo good and so easy. I wasn't sure how I'd like it with the cider instead of beer, but it was amazing. I think I'll make it that way from now on!