Easy Beer Bread

(makes 1 medium loaf)

3 cups self-raising flour
3 tblsp sugar
1 300 ml can beer (any sort)

Method:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, place in non-stick medium bread tin. The mixture should roughly half-fill the tin. Place in medium hot oven (about gas mark 6 or 180C - but it can go with anything else that is cooking at the time) for about 30-40 minutes until well-risen.
Turn out after a few minutes, slice and serve.

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This is probably the easiest bread to make at home if you don't have a bread-maker. It's ideal for children to make, so long as you don't mind them using beer! It doesn't keep well, but then it rarely gets the chance. Delicious with butter and any spread, or with salad, or with a full meal.

I often use 2 cups white self-raising flour and 1 cup wholegrain bread flour rather than 3 cups white self-raising. Find what combination of white/wholegrain suits your family best. For added protein and nutrition, you could also substitute 1/2 cup soya flour or rice flour. If you can't get self-raising flour, use plain flour with 2 tsp baking powder.

Variations:
There are many variations you can try, depending on your family's tastes. Here are just a few possibilities:.
- Add in 1/2 cup sultanas or other dried fruit for a quick fruit bread. Add a little ginger or cinnamon if liked
- Reduce sugar to 2 tblsp; add 1/2 cup grated cheese and 1tsp mustard for a cheesy bread
- Reduce sugar to 2 tblsp, add 1 tblsp chives or herbs.