Stout (Beer) Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Basic Bread
3 cups flour (13.5 ounces)
3 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup molasses
12 ounces of guinness beer (or similar stout beer)
1/4 cup butter, melted
nonstick cooking spray
Optional Additions
1/2 cup craisins (optional)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1/2 cup walnuts nuts (optional)
1/2 cup dates, chopped (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F.
Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with non-stick.(butter flavored) spray.
Into a large bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
Slowly pour half of the beer into the flour mixture and stir (The pub cans of Guinness are larger than 12 ounces, but they have better carbonation, so use what you need and drink ;=) the rest.).
Add the molasses and stir in the balance of the beer.
Stir in optional craisins, dates, or nuts.
NOTE: Stir just enough to blend in the flour but DO NOT over mix or you'll end up with a beer brick!
Pour into the prepared loaf pan (no more than 2/3 full).
Bake for 45 - 55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 5 minutes, and then turn it out onto a rack.
Drizzle or brush the butter on the top of the bread.