Beer Bread

In case you don't know, I am not a baker - ha ha, I'm Mrs. Baker, but definitely not a baker. Cookies? No. Cakes? No. Pastries? Not even close. Well, I do try it every once in awhile - usually as a fun activity with my son Jackson. Today we made beer bread. Now I'm quite sure the alcohol gets cooked out during baking and it is so yummy and sweet. I do love bread so so much.

We had a St. Patrick's Day potluck at my work yesterday and one of the best choices was 'beer bread' made by Nancy. She kindly gave me her left over special flour and the recipe. During Owen's nap today Jackson and I gave it a try. He LOVES to be involved in the kitchen. I was given a bread maker a couple of years ago and have never used it...Mike has, but nope, not me! So I thought I'd give it a try. It didn't seem very promising, so while we were waiting on the bread maker we also cooked a loaf in the oven. OMG, it is so good! Even more dangerous with honey =)For the occasion, I used yummy Guinness! The recipe called for 12 oz. and the can came with 14 - so I HAD TO sip off the other 2 oz. It was very hard indeed, but I did it none the less =)

Jackson loved watching the bread maker spin... although that's about all it did. It didn't actually make us any bread. 2 hours later a gross top above unmixed flour was what I pulled out. We had a great time baking the old fashioned way - in the oven! I let him do just about everything - except sip the excess beer - that was my job. A small job, but hey, someone had to do it. He even wiped down the counter at the end and sang his clean up song..."clean up, clean up, everybody clean up!" When the timer went off he RAN TO THE HIGH CHAIR AND BUCKLED HIMSELF IN - it was one of the funniest things I've seen! I had no idea he was so hungry. He was even more excited that I let him dip it in honey, or syrup as he called it.

When we were washing his hands he said, "OW mamma, my 'binger' hurts!" Oh, why does your finger hurt? "I burned it on the oven," he said matter of factly. HUH? Then I remembered him saying, "OH, it's hot!" when I let him put the loaf in the oven. Yes, yes, I let my 2 1/2 year old put the bread in the oven. I guess it wasn't so smart, but HE is a smart kid and knows the oven is hot. Anyway, he didn't cry or anything so we went on with our business. Until we washed hands. His little pointer 'binger' had a big blister! OMG, am I the worst mommy? Probably not, but I felt really bad. And then I reviewed the pictures in my camera and discovered I got it on film! He is a really tough little guy - especially wearing his toddler wife beater... LOL! It turned out great and if you've never made it, you should! If I can do it, anyone can!