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Cherry Beer Bread Recipe Moist, Flavorful, No-Yeast Quick Bread
Easy cherry beer bread recipe blending malty beer with juicy cherries—baked in 1 hour!
What Is Cherry Beer Bread?
A moist cherry beer bread recipe with no yeast—perfect for beginners.
Cherry beer bread is a delightful quick bread that combines the malty richness of beer with the sweet-tart flavor of cherries. Unlike traditional yeast breads, this recipe uses baking powder for leavening, making it incredibly easy and fast to prepare—ready in just over an hour from start to finish! (Serious Eats Quick Breads)
The bread offers a complex flavor experience where beer’s maltiness provides depth while cherries add bright, fruity notes. Light lagers create subtle undertones, while darker beers like stouts contribute rich, robust flavors that complement the cherries beautifully. (The Kitchn Beer in Baking)
Table of Contents
Essential Ingredients for Cherry Beer Bread
This simple recipe requires just a few pantry staples plus your choice of beer and cherries. (King Arthur Flour Guide)
| Ingredient | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 3 cups | Provides structure and texture |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup | Adds sweetness and aids browning |
| Baking powder | 1 tablespoon | Leavening agent for rise |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon | Enhances and balances flavors |
| Beer (any type) | 12 oz bottle | Moisture, flavor, and carbonation |
| Fresh or frozen cherries | 1 cup, pitted | Sweet-tart flavor bursts |
Choosing Your Beer
The type of beer significantly impacts flavor. For more inspiration on beer pairings, check our drink recipes:
- Light lagers: Mild, subtle beer taste—great for beginners
- Wheat beers: Slightly sweet with citrus notes
- Stouts/porters: Rich, deep flavors that complement cherries
- Fruit beers: Amplify the cherry flavor naturally
Cherry Selection Tips
Learn more about selecting fresh ingredients in our cooking guides:
- Fresh cherries: Pit and chop for best texture
- Frozen cherries: Thaw completely and drain excess liquid
- Dried cherries: Soak in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain
- Maraschino cherries: Drain and pat dry (sweeter option)
Cherry Beer Bread Recipe Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Prepare cherries: If using fresh, pit and roughly chop. For frozen, thaw completely and drain on paper towels. Pat dry to remove excess moisture.
- Let beer reach room temperature and pour into a measuring cup, allowing foam to settle for accurate measurement.
Mixing the Bread
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
- Add wet ingredients: Pour the beer into the dry mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until just barely combined—the batter should look lumpy and rough. Important: Don’t overmix!
- Fold in cherries: Gently fold the prepared cherries into the batter with a spatula, distributing them evenly throughout.
Baking Process
- Transfer to pan: Pour the thick batter into the prepared loaf pan and gently smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake: Place in preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool properly: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
All ingredients ready for mixing—notice the room temperature beer and prepared cherries.
Recipe Variations & Add-Ins
For more dessert ideas, visit our dessert recipes.
Sweet Variations
- Cherry Almond: Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- Chocolate Cherry: Fold in 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- Glazed Version: Drizzle with powdered sugar glaze made from powdered sugar and cherry juice
- Streusel Top: Add a crumb topping of butter, flour, and brown sugar before baking
Seasonal Adaptations
- Fall Cranberry: Replace cherries with dried cranberries and add 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Summer Berry: Use mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
- Winter Spice: Add 1/2 teaspoon each cinnamon and nutmeg, plus dried cherries
Dietary Modifications
Check our healthy meal plans for more dietary alternatives.
- Gluten-Free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum
- Reduced Sugar: Cut sugar to 2 tablespoons and use naturally sweet beer
- Whole Wheat: Replace 1 cup all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour
Serving & Storage
How to Serve Cherry Beer Bread
Cherry beer bread is versatile and delicious served various ways. Pair with our breakfast recipes.
- Plain: Slice and serve at room temperature
- Toasted: Lightly toast slices and spread with butter
- With spreads: Try cream cheese, jam, or honey butter
- Dessert style: Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
Storage Guidelines
| Storage Method | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | 3 days | Wrap in plastic or store in airtight container |
| Refrigerated | 1 week | May dry out slightly; toast before serving |
| Frozen (whole loaf) | 3 months | Wrap tightly in plastic, then foil |
| Frozen (sliced) | 3 months | Individual slices for easy thawing |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Dense or Heavy Bread
- Cause: Overmixed batter or expired baking powder
- Solution: Mix just until ingredients are barely combined; check baking powder freshness
Soggy Bottom or Sides
- Cause: Excess moisture from cherries or underbaking
- Solution: Drain cherries thoroughly; bake until toothpick is clean; cool on wire rack
Cherries Sinking to Bottom
- Cause: Heavy fruit in thin batter
- Solution: Toss cherries in 1 tablespoon flour before folding in
For more baking tips, visit our complete cooking guides.
Nutritional Information
Learn more about healthy eating in our nutrition guides.
Per Slice (Based on 12 servings)
- Calories: 180-220
- Carbohydrates: 35-40g
- Protein: 4-5g
- Fat: 1-2g
- Fiber: 2-3g
Health Benefits
- Cherries: Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds
- Beer: Contains B vitamins, particularly folate and niacin
- Moderate calories: Lower fat content than many quick breads
- No preservatives: Fresh, homemade alternative to store-bought bread
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about this cherry beer bread recipe.
Yes! Non-alcoholic beer works perfectly and will produce similar results. The bread will have a slightly milder flavor, but the texture remains the same. Club soda can also be substituted in a pinch. (BBC Good Food)
Not at all! Frozen cherries work excellently—just thaw and drain them thoroughly. Dried cherries can be used too, but soak them in warm water for 10 minutes first. Even well-drained maraschino cherries work for a sweeter version. (Healthline)
Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the loaf. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. The top should be golden brown and spring back lightly when touched. (King Arthur)
Yes! Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Make sure your beer is also gluten-free. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious. (Bob’s Red Mill)
The most common cause is overmixing the batter. Quick breads should be mixed just until the ingredients are barely combined—the batter should look lumpy. Also check that your baking powder is fresh (replace every 6-12 months). (Serious Eats)
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