Cracked Wheat Beer Bread

Courtesy of Sandra Lee

1 (1 pound) box quick-mix cracked wheat-style bread mix
1 (12 oz) bottle beer
2 Tbsp. melted butter
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves
Nonstick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Follow ingredients on bread mix package substituting beer for the water. Stir chopped thyme into the melted butter, then stir into the bread batter. Pour batter into a loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake until browned on top and tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then cube for fondue.
Yields 1 loaf.

Cheesy Beer Fondue

Courtesy of Sandra Lee

4 Tbsp Butter
1/4 C. all-purpose flour
1 (12 oz) bottle lager beer
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
4 Cups shredded cheddar
Cracked Wheat Beer Bread

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes while stirring constantly to make a roux. Add beer and bring to slow boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until mixture thickens to the consistency of heavy cream. Add Worcestershire, mustard and cayenne, stirring thoroughly. Add cheese 1 cup at a time, melting cheese after each addition. Stir fondue until it is smooth. Turn into fondue pot and serve with cubed Cracked Wheat Beer Bread.

**THIS FONDUE TAKES ON THE FLAVOR OF THE LAGER...IF YOU LIKE THAT SORT OF THING***