Raisin Beer Bread: Slightly Sweet, Soft-Crusted, and Brewed with Comfort
This Raisin Beer Bread is quick, easy, and loaded with flavor — a rustic, no-yeast loaf that combines warm spices, juicy raisins, and malty beer for a tender, hearty bite.
It’s a one-bowl, stir-and-bake recipe that takes just minutes to prep and delivers maximum payoff: a dense yet soft loaf with subtle sweetness and big character. Toast it, butter it, or eat it warm out of the pan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup raisins (or golden raisins or currants)
- 12 oz beer (brown ale, amber ale, or cream ale)
- 2 tbsp melted butter (plus more for brushing)
Beer Tip: Use a malty, lightly sweet beer like brown ale, cream ale, amber ale, or even a spiced seasonal ale. Avoid anything hoppy — bitterness clashes with the sweetness.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×5″ loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Stir in raisins to coat.
Step 3: Add the Beer
Pour beer into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined — the batter will be thick and sticky.
Spoon into prepared pan and smooth the top. Pour melted butter over the batter for a golden, flavorful crust.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool for at least 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Serving Suggestions
- Toast and Top With:
- Butter and honey
- Cream cheese and jam
- Peanut butter and banana
- Cheddar slices and apple butter
- Serve With:
- Coffee or chai
- Mild cheese plate
- A smooth pint of ale on the side
Storage
- Keeps 3–4 days at room temp in an airtight container
- Freezes well — slice before freezing for easy toasting later
Beer Pairing
- In the bread:
- Brown ale
- Amber ale
- Cream ale
- Holiday spiced ale
- In your glass:
- The same beer used in the loaf
- Oatmeal stout or porter for contrast
- Mild Belgian dubbel for fruity richness
Final Thoughts
Raisin Beer Bread is soft, satisfying, and just sweet enough — like a mashup of quick bread and pub loaf with warm, homey flavor in every slice.
It’s perfect for breakfast, snacking, or as a rustic addition to any cheese board.
Cheers to easy baking, rich beer, and bread that’s both nostalgic and deliciously brewed! 🍞🍺🍇
🍞 Explore the Ultimate Beer Bread & Baking Collection
From savory loaves and cheesy rolls to sweet, stout-spiked twists and beer-soaked breakfasts — these recipes bring out beer’s baking superpowers. Easy, flavorful, and always a hit.
🍺 Beer Bread Recipes (Main Hub) – Your guide to all things beer bread: quick, cheesy, herby, sweet, and more.
🔹 Classic & Easy Favorites
🍞 Classic Beer Bread – The simple, 3-ingredient original that started it all.
⚡ Easy Beer Bread – Fast, foolproof, and perfect for first-time bakers.
🥖 Beer Bread Rolls – Soft, golden rolls with malty beer flavor.
🧀 Beer Cheese Bread – Sharp cheddar baked into every bite.
🥣 Beer Bread Dip – A creamy, tangy dip designed to pair with beer bread.
🧄 Savory & Cheesy Loaves
🧀🌶️ Cheddar & Jalapeño Beer Bread – Bold, cheesy heat in every slice.
🧄🌿 Herb + Garlic Beer Bread – Packed with herbs and roasted garlic flavor.
🥓🧀 Bacon Cheddar Beer Bread – Salty, cheesy, and bacon-loaded goodness.
🧄🧅 Everything Bagel Beer Bread – Topped with bagel seasoning and big flavor.
🌾 Rye Beer Bread – Earthy rye flour with malty depth.
🍀 Irish Beer Bread – Rustic, hearty, and perfect for stews or St. Paddy’s.
🍯 Sweet & Seasonal Breads
🍯 Honey Beer Bread – Slightly sweet, soft, and great with butter.
🍯🌾 Honey Wheat Beer Bread – A wholesome loaf with natural sweetness.
🍫 Stout Chocolate Chip Beer Bread – Malty stout + melty chocolate = dessert-worthy.
🍇 Raisin Beer Bread – A breakfast-style loaf with a hint of spice.
🍌 Banana Beer Bread – A beer-y twist on classic banana bread.
🎃 Pumpkin Beer Bread – Moist, spiced, and perfect for fall.
🍞 Sourdough Beer Bread – Tangy, crusty, and made with a bubbly starter.
🥞 Beer for Breakfast (Yes, Really!)
🧇 Beer Waffles – Light and crispy with a malty twist.
🥞 Chocolate Beer Pancakes – Rich and fluffy with cocoa and stout.
🥥 Coconut Porter Pancakes – Toasty coconut flavor meets dark beer in a tropical stack.
🌾 Special Diets & Alternatives
🌾 Gluten-Free Beer Bread – Made with GF beer and flour blends for everyone to enjoy.
🍕 Bonus Beer-Baked Recipes
🍕 Beer Pizza Crust – Crispy outside, chewy inside — a malty pizza dough upgrade.