Beer Bread and Creamy Herb Dip

This is two recipes for the price of one! Although you obviously don't have to make them together I highly suggest it. The warm buttery beer bread with the fresh cool creamy dip is a great combination. The dip also pairs well with veggies if you want to use it for crudite. I was introduced to both of these delicious treats by two of my closest friends, Erika & Kerri, thank you ladies :)

Ingredients for Beer Bread:

3 Cups Flour

2 Tbsp Sugar

1 Tbsp Baking Powder

1 Tsp Salt

2 Tbsp Honey

12 oz Bottle of Beer

1 Stick of I Can't Believe it's Not Butter - Melted

Pam Spray

Adapted from: http://www.gimmesomeoven.com

Ingredients for Herb Dip:

8 oz Fat Free Cream Cheese - Softened
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1/2 Cup Mayo
Dill
Parsley
Chives

Adapted from: http://www.foodnetwork.com

Start by preheating the oven to 350 F and spray a 9 x 5in bread pan with Pam spray. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.

Pour in the bottle of beer, I used Sam Adams Winter Lager because that's what John had in the house but I'm sure anything will do. Using a wooden spoon mix the beer and the honey into the dry ingredients. If you keep your honey in the fridge you may want to bring it to room temp before trying to add it to the dough.

Continue mixing until you have a sticky batter. Place it in the bottom of the greased bread pan. Melt the margarine in the microwave on a low setting and pour it over the top of the dough. You can use a pastry brush to spread it out over top of the bread.

Bake the bread 60 minutes until the top becomes crusty and golden brown.A toothpick inserted into the middle should come out clean. 

While the bread is baking you can make the dip. In your mixer bowl with the paddle attachment combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream and mayo. I left the amounts of herbs out of the ingredients section because it will depend on if you are using fresh or dried. I used dried and I had to add a lot more than I was expecting to get it to taste like anything but if you use fresh herbs you will only need to use a small amount. Blend in between additions and taste as you go until you get what you want.

Allow the bread to cool for about 5 minutes and then you can slice it up and serve immediately. The warm buttery bread with the cool creamy dip is a great combination but you'll get the same effect if you bread isn't right out of the oven as well.

Linked at: http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/, http://thenymelrosefamily.com/, http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com, http://www.semihomemademom.com/, http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com, http://www.bunsinmyoven.com/, http://www.momontimeout.com/, http://www.mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/, http://www.mandatorymooch.blogspot.com/, http://www.thebusybhive.blogspot.com/, http://www.thecountrycook.net/, www.sixsistersstuff.com, http://www.notyourordinaryrecipes.com, http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com/, http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/, http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/, http://www.michellestastycreations.com/, http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com, http://www.flourmewithlove.com/, http://www.sweetsav.blogspot.com/, http://iamaddictedtorecipes.blogspot.ca, http://www.chef-in-training.com/, http://www.nap-timecreations.com/, http://www.mandysrecipebox.blogspot.com/, http://insidebrucrewlife.com/, http://www.callmepmc.com/