Recipes Using Beer

Recipe: Spicy Beer Cake

Julia
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 146 Posts

February 16, 2011

This is one of the easiest and most simple cakes to put together, and it's rich in texture and flavor. You would never even guess it was made using beer. Tastes more like a spicy yeast bread and is delicious.

This recipe makes 2 loaves, so you have one to share or freeze for another day.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups beer. Use plain old Bud or Miller's High Life (not lite beer or ale)
• 1 cup Crisco shortening
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp ground allspice
• 2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 cups raisins

Directions:

Next day: Cream shortening, and gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs one at the time, beating well after each addition.

Combine 2 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Whisk to mix, then add to creamed mixture alternately with beer, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix well after each addition.

Dredge pecans and raisins in remaining 1/2 cup flour, stir to coat well, then fold into batter.

Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 9x5x3 inch loaf pans. Bake at 325 degrees F for 30 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 350 and bake an additional 25 minutes or until cakes tests done.

Remove from oven when done, and allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes, then turn out loaves onto wire rack to cool completely before slicing or wrapping to freeze.

Source: My German friend and neighbor, Gretchen. My three daughters grew up eating cookies that she baked just for them every week. I've forgotten the name of the cookie she made, but my girls loved them. Lots of spices just like this cake.

By Julia from Boca Raton, FL

Beer Bread Recipes

This page contains recipes for beer bread. Beer is a natural pairing for homemade wheat bread. These loaves can be served with dinner, as an appetizer or snack, or for sandwiches.