Cherry Beer Bread
Ingredients:
4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp sea salt
1 pkg active dry yeast
12 oz beer
1/4 cup sweetened dried cherries (cranberries also work nicely)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts or hazelnuts)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 egg white
1 tsp water
2 tsbp sugar
Directions:
- Add beer, yeast and 2 cups flour to stand mixer bowl. Stir by hand until well mixed. Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.
- Remove mixture from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for one hour.
- Place bowl in stand mixer and attach dough hook.
- Add salt and remaining flour. Mix at low speed until dry ingredients are incorporated. Increase speed to medium and knead dough for approximately two minutes. If dough is sticky add flour 1 tsbp at a time until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. The dough should be smooth and elastic.
- Remove from mixer and place on lightly floured surface. Knead in cherries and nuts.
- Coat bottom and sides of a large mixing bowl with olive oil. Place dough in bowl turning to coat all surfaces. Cover with a dishcloth* and allow to rise in a warm area one to two hours or until doubled in size.
- Punch down dough and let rest five minutes.
- Remove from bowl and form a round loaf.
- Place a piece of parchment paper or silpat mat on a baking sheet.
- Place loaf on baking sheet. Cover and allow to rise for one to two hours or until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Lightly beat egg white and water. Brush lightly over loaf covering all exposed surfaces.
- Sprinkle with sugar. You may also sprinkle with additional nuts if desired.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool on baking rack.
- Dig in and enjoy!
