Beer and Cheese Muffins

I first made these muffins in 1998.  I had bought a muffin cookbook to send to my daughter-in-law in St. Louis, but first copied recipes that appealed to me.  These muffins are very good, just a tiny bit of sweetness and the flavor of cheddar cheese along with raisins and crunchy nuts.  I consider two of these small muffins as a good serving for a breakfast treat.  They are also nice to serve along with summer salads.

I have a note in my binder:  “January 23, 1998 – This is one of David’s (my husband) favorites.  Very good.”

BEER CHEESE MUFFINS

• Servings: 12
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1/2 cup beer
1/2 cup raisins
1 egg
2 Tblsp. oil
1/3 cup granulated sugar
¾ tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Dash salt
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2.5 oz shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
Grease 12 muffin cups or insert paper or silicone liners

In small pan heat beer to boiling.  Remove from heat, add raisins and let cool.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, oil and sugar.  Whisk in the soda, nutmeg and salt.

Stir in the beer/raisin mixture and flour.  Stir in the cheese and chopped nuts.

Divide the batter between 12 muffin cups and bake in preheated 375 degree F oven for 15 minutes.  Muffins should be golden brown on top and a tester inserted in the center of one muffin should come out clean.

Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 7-10 minutes.

Remove muffins from pan or silicone liners and allow to continue cooling on a wire rack.

Yield:  12 small muffins 

These muffins are delicious warm from the oven and can be warmed a few seconds in the microwave if necessary.

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Welsh Rabbit and Beer Bread Rolls

I first made this recipe in 1993, adapted from one in Susan Branch’s Heart of the Home, 1988.  It became a favorite lunch for my two daughters and me, served on a split homemade yeast roll.

In 2008, I had made this dish for my youngest daughter’s birthday and since I had some beer leftover, made a good beer bread from an internet recipe (source forgotten).  I thought this bread would be ideal to serve with the Welsh Rabbit – sturdy enough to stand up under a generous helping of this delicious cheese concoction.  It turned out to be the perfect combination.  The recipe for Welsh Rabbit makes 4 helpings (could easily be doubled) and the bread recipe makes 8 large rolls (leftover rolls are good for dishes like Mom’s Tuna Melt and Balsamic Chicken Melt – or simply toasted for breakfast.

EASY BEER BREAD ROLLS

• Servings: 8 rolls
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• 3-3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 3 Tblsp granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 package dry fast-acting yeast (1 Tblsp)*
• 8 oz. beer, room temperature
• 1 Tblsp butter
• 1 egg, room temperature

*The “Instant“ or “Quick Rise” yeast is especially formulated to be used mixed with the dry ingredients and can withstand the hot water.  Rising time is cut in half

In a mixer bowl, place 1 cup all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt and yeast.  Blend.

Heat beer and butter in microwave to 130 degrees F.

Insert paddle beater and add beer/butter mixture to flour mixture.  Mix on medium speed for 3 minutes.  Add egg and beat for 30 seconds more.

Insert dough hook and add 1 cup of flour and beat at medium speed.  Continue beating for 6-1/2 minutes longer,  adding additional flour as needed until dough is elastic and no longer sticky.

Place dough in a large greased bowl, turn once, cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

Punch with your knuckles to deflate dough and divide into 8 pieces …

and form each piece in your hand to make a rustic roll about 3 inches diameter.

Place on a greased baking sheet, cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Bake @ 375 degrees F for 12-14 minutes until bread is browned over the top surface.   Cool on a wire rack. 

WELSH RABBIT

• Servings: 4
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• 1 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, diced
• 2 Tblsp. butter
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• dash cayenne
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 8 oz. beer, room temperature
• 4 Easy Beer Bread Rolls, split and toasted

My first step is to get out my vintage Kreamer copper-bottom double boiler which I bought at an antique store about 30 years ago.

Melt cheese & butter in top of double boiler over simmering water.

Stirring constantly, add mustard, Worcestershire, and cayenne.  Beat in egg; stir in beer, and stir until hot.  Do not boil.  Serve over split, toasted Beer Bread Rolls.  Serve piping hot.

4 servings 

Note:  Leftover Welsh Rabbit can be used to supplement cheese in any dish such as macaroni and cheese or added to a cream soup.