Quick breads are the rockstars of the baking world. There is none of that waiting around for hours watching dough rise. These beauties come together in a flash, yet deliver fantastic flavor.
We’re talking banana bread so good it could win a baking competition against your grandma’s (sorry, Nana, but we gotta be honest). And the best part? The options are endless – from tangy lemon loaves to bread packed with chocolate chips.
So forget complicated cakes and get ready to conquer the world of quick breads with these handy tips and tricks! They’ll make you the hero of your next bake sale.
🗝️Key Takeaways
- Quick breads rise quickly without yeast using baking soda or powder along with buttermilk or lemon juice.
- They are faster to make than yeast breads, and taste like dessert but aren’t too sweet.
- You can enjoy them sliced with butter or jam, toasted, or as French toast.
🍞What is quick bread?
The difference between quick bread and regular bread is that quick breads don’t use yeast for leavening. Instead, other leavening agents are deployed, such as baking soda, baking powder or tartaric acid, otherwise known as cream of tartar.
Paired with an acid such as buttermilk, sour milk or even lemon juice, those alternative leavening agents help your loaf rise without using yeast. This quick leavening often occurs right in the oven, so they’re perfect when you’re short on time.
Quick breads are often sweet. Banana bread or chocolate zucchini bread are classic examples most people are familiar with.
Yeast breads, on the other hand, take longer to make because you must let the yeast do the heavy lifting in the bread. This means you’re left waiting for the yeast to do its job rather than getting on with it quickly.
Yeast breads and quick breads have their place in the kitchen and your recipe box. Which one you make depends on your needs and the time available.
“I love quick breads because so many of them taste like desserts but aren’t really desserts. They’re great for anything from breakfast to snacks and more, and they’re quick to make and throw together then bake off in a single pan rather than taking the time to measure everything out. Plus, they’re so easy to make!”
— Michelle Price, Honest and Truly
⭐Don’t Miss These Quick Bread Recipes
- Apple Fritter Bread: This isn’t your average loaf – it’s a party in your mouth with chunks of juicy apple and a cinnamon sugar swirl!
- Bisquick Banana Bread: The lazy baker’s dream – classic banana bread goodness with a shortcut using Bisquick mix.
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread: Sneak some veggies into your sweet treat with this moist and delicious zucchini bread studded with melty chocolate chips.
- Peanut Butter Bread: Calling all peanut butter lovers! This bread is like a giant, fluffy peanut butter cup you can slice and savor.
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread: Fall flavors forever! This pumpkin bread is bursting with warm spices and melty chocolate chips for a taste of autumn in every bite.
- Amish Cinnamon Bread: Get ready for some serious comfort food vibes. This Amish-inspired bread is loaded with warm cinnamon sugar for a taste of pure nostalgia.
- Blueberry Pumpkin Bread: The perfect mashup – juicy blueberries and festive pumpkin spices come together in this delightful bread.
📌Tips to make the best quick breads
Follow these tips to ensure you’re making the best loaf.
- Measure carefully: Your best bet to measure flour accurately is to weigh it. If that isn’t an option, loosen it with a spoon before scooping it into the measuring cup.
- Fresh leavening agents: Try to use the freshest leavening agents. Consider replacing them if they’re old or have been sitting open for a while. Buy the small size of leavening agents so they don’t get stale.
- Don’t beat the batter: Quick bread batters don’t need to be vigorously beaten. Lumps in quick bread batter are ok stir just enough to combine ingredients.
- Preheat the oven: The loaf going straight from the mixing bowl to the loaf pan to the hot oven is the best way to bake a quick bread. The instant heat ensures a proper rise and an even bake.
- Use the correct pan size: Switching or changing the pan size can cause problems with your loaf. If you switch the pan size, your loaf may take longer to cook or remain underbaked in the middle while the outside is well done.
- Leave the oven shut: If you check the bread too soon, your loaf will collapse. If you open the door or slam the oven door, the top may fall into the loaf. Check it about five minutes before the recipe says it might be done. If you wait, the bread will almost be done and won’t collapse.
- Check for doneness: Insert a toothpick or bamboo skewer into the loaf. The loaf is done when it comes out clean or with just moist crumbs on it. If it has batter on it, the loaf is underbaked.
- Cool: To cut even slices, allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Then turn it out on a cooling rack and let it cool completely. You can slice it while it’s warm, but it slices better when thoroughly cooled.
- Let it rest: Many quick breads taste better the next day. So if you can wait, wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap once it’s cool. The next day slice and enjoy for the best flavor. If the recipe calls for icing and you want to serve it the next day, go ahead and ice it the next day for the best results.
“I love quick breads because they’re fast, filling and a great way to use up my leftover fruit and veggies in a sneaky way (that my hubby and kids don’t complain about.) We all love banana bread, apple bread and pumpkin bread in any season.”
— Sarita Harbour, Recipes From Leftovers
🍽️How to serve quick breads
Add quick bread slices to lunch boxes or picnic baskets. Serve them as snacks. Or enjoy them with coffee and friends. You can enjoy them anytime.
Enjoy quick breads sliced and eaten just that way, like a slice of bread. Butter or homemade water bath canned jelly makes an excellent addition to a slice as well.
“I love quick breads because the ease of cutting myself a thin slice of bread versus grabbing a big slice of cake just feels more wholesome! Plus you can really control that butter to bread ratio, not to mention toast it to your liking. This is crucial stuff, people.”
– Ksenia Prints, At the Immigrant’s Table
You can even toast a slice in the toaster or toaster oven. Toasting lends a subtly different flavor to your loaf. Or try making French toast with slices using your favorite French toast recipe.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Work your way through the tips next time you make a loaf. Discover that you can enjoy the process of baking and savor the delicious results of your homemade quick bread.
This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life
