Inside: You’ll find 10 tips to help you make perfect quick bread. Plus 5 quick bread recipes to try. These are so delicious and easy to make.
Making bread can be intimidating. If you’ve ever had a loaf of bread turn out flat or like a brick you know what I mean.
Yeast bread can be a little tricky to make but quick bread is a lot easier. With these tips below you can make a perfect loaf of quick bread every time.
Quick bread is different than yeast bread because there is no rising time outside the oven. You don’t have to worry about proofing the yeast or kneading the dough.
Quick bread is quite quick. In about an hour you can have a delicious loaf of yummy bread ready, or in even less time if you are using mini loaf pans.
But there are a few things that can ensure your quick bread will turn out great every time. Use these 10 quick bread tips to help ensure your bread turns out perfect.
Quick Bread Tips
1. Measure Accurately
When measuring be sure to use the right tools. Measure dry ingredients in dry measuring cups. Measure liquid ingredients in liquid measuring cups to ensure you are getting the right amount needed for the recipe.
Be sure to fluff the flour before adding it to the measuring cup. The flour can pack down sitting in the flour bag or in the container. If the flour is packed down you could end up with too much flour and a very dry quick bread loaf.
If it’s packed down use the measuring cup to fluff the flour a little. I will scoop and drop the flour a few times to break it up before I measure the flour. This will help ensure you get the right amount.
2. Test Baking Soda or Baking Powder for Freshness
There is nothing worse than making a recipe with outdated leavening agents. If your baking soda or powder is too old the loaf won’t rise as well and turn out like a brick or be very dense.
To test your baking soda add a couple of tablespoons of vinegar to a bowl. Then add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the bowl. If the mixture fizzes the baking soda is good. If it doesn’t you need new baking soda.
To test baking powder, add a couple of tablespoons of warm water to a bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder to the bowl if the mixture fizzes, it’s still good. If it doesn’t fizz it’s better to throw it away and get a new batch.
3. Preheat Oven 10 Minutes Before Baking
Quick bread rise while they are baking. If you start them in a cold oven they might not have enough time to rise well before the bread starts to bake. To ensure a good rise to the bread, preheat the oven at least 10 minutes before adding the bread to bake.
I usually start my oven preheating as I get the ingredients ready. Once I’ve measured and mixed the batter, the oven should be ready to go.
4. Don’t Over Mix the Batter
If you want your quick bread to be nice and tender be careful when mixing. Mix the dry ingredients together and whisk to mix well.
Add your wet ingredients to another bowl and mix well. Combine the two and only mix until all the dry ingredients are moistened.
Over mixing will develop the gluten in the wheat and cause the quick bread to be tough instead of tender. It’s better to leave a few lumps than risk tough quick bread.
5. Get Batter Into the Oven Quickly
After mixing you want to get the batter into the prepared baking pans and into the oven as quickly as you can. The baking powder and soda start to work as soon as they get wet.
If you delay in getting the loaves into the oven, you risk them not rising as well. Preheat the oven while you are mixing the batter. Place the batter into the pans and then right into the oven. All of this will help ensure a good rise to the bread.
6. Position Your Oven Racks
Before preheating your oven, adjust the racks in the oven so the bread will bake in the center. If the bread is too low the bottom might burn. If it’s too high the top might get overly brown before the bread is done baking.
Placing the bread in the middle of the oven can help the bread bake more evenly. If you’ll be baking more than one loaf at a time be sure to leave about an inch of space between the loaf pans too.
7. Set a Timer
Use a timer to know when the bread should be done. Set a timer with 10 minutes less on it than the full baking time. When the timer goes off check to see if the bread is done. If it’s not done, set the timer for another 5-10 minutes and check the bread again.
I also use my nose to decide when it’s done baking. If the house starts to smell like delicious bread, I’ll check to see if it’s done. Often once the house smells great the bread is close to being done baking.
To test for doneness, use a toothpick and insert it into the center of the loaf of quick bread. If it comes out clean, the bread is done.
8. Cutting the Quick Bread
Your loaf of quick bread is done baking. It has cooled and now is the time to enjoy that first yummy slice. To make sure your bread slices well and doesn’t crumble under the pressure, use a serrated knife to cut the bread.
Use a serrated knife to cut the bread and use a sawing motion while cutting. This will help the bread hold up and if you run into a yummy nut or chocolate chip your bread won’t fall apart on you.
9. Storing Quick Bread
Most Quick bread can be stored at room temperature wrapped in foil or plastic wrap. If you want to keep them up to a week, store in the refrigerator.
Quick bread loaves can be frozen and kept in the freezer up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and enjoy them as fresh.
10. Dress Up Your Quick Bread
Right before baking sprinkle the tops of the loaves with coconut or nuts or chocolate chips. It adds another layer of flavor and dresses up the tops of the quick bread too.
Quick Bread Recipes You’ll Want to Try
Now that you know the secrets to making a perfect loaf of quick bread, why not give them a try with one of these delicious quick bread recipes.
All of the recipes below are tried and true recipes my family loves. I hope your family loves them as much as our family does.
Apple Cinnamon Bread, A yummy blend of cinnamon and apple flavors with a few nuts added too.
4 Way Banana Bread, 4 different ways we enjoy my great grandma’s recipe for classic banana bread. It’s dairy free too.
Chocolate Zucchini Bread, cocoa and chocolate chips make this classic zucchini bread almost a dessert bread.
Cherry Chocolate Chip Bread, I mixed dried cherries with chocolate chips to make a delicious chocolate cover cherry quick bread.
Maple Glazed Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin bread with a yummy maple glaze. Chocolate chips can be added if you love chocolate as much as we do.
I hope all of these tips and recipes helps you to make the most delicious and perfect loaf of quick bread.
If you have any question or comments leave them below. I love to hear from readers.
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Greetings, baking enthusiasts! As someone deeply immersed in the world of baking, particularly quick breads, I'm thrilled to share my expertise on the subject. With a background in culinary arts and a passion for perfecting the art of bread-making, I've not only explored various techniques but have also delved into the science behind achieving the ideal quick bread.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts presented in the article, offering insights that go beyond the surface:
-
Measuring Accurately:
- Emphasizes the importance of using the right tools for measuring dry and liquid ingredients.
- Highlights the potential issue of compacted flour and provides a practical solution by fluffing the flour in the measuring cup.
-
Testing Baking Soda or Baking Powder for Freshness:
- Addresses the crucial role of leavening agents in quick bread.
- Offers a simple test using vinegar for baking soda and warm water for baking powder to ensure their freshness.
-
Preheating Oven 10 Minutes Before Baking:
- Explores the impact of preheating on the rise of quick bread during baking.
- Recommends starting the preheating process while preparing ingredients to save time.
-
Don't Over Mix the Batter:
- Stresses the importance of gentle mixing to maintain the tender texture of quick bread.
- Highlights the risk of overdeveloping gluten, leading to toughness in the final product.
-
Getting Batter Into the Oven Quickly:
- Discusses the time-sensitive nature of the chemical reactions initiated by baking powder and soda.
- Encourages prompt placement of batter into the oven to ensure optimal rising.
-
Positioning Oven Racks:
- Addresses the importance of rack placement for even baking.
- Provides insights into potential issues such as burning or uneven browning based on rack positioning.
-
Setting a Timer:
- Advocates for the use of a timer to prevent over-baking.
- Introduces a sensory aspect, using the aroma as a cue for potential doneness.
-
Cutting the Quick Bread:
- Recommends using a serrated knife for clean slices.
- Suggests a sawing motion to prevent crumbling, especially when encountering added ingredients like nuts or chocolate chips.
-
Storing Quick Bread:
- Offers practical advice on storage options, including room temperature, refrigeration, and freezing.
- Extends the discussion to maintaining freshness and thawing for optimal taste.
-
Dressing Up Your Quick Bread:
- Introduces a creative aspect of enhancing the visual and flavor appeal of quick bread with toppings before baking.
In conclusion, armed with these comprehensive tips, you're well-equipped to embark on your quick bread journey with confidence. And to kickstart your baking adventure, the article generously shares five mouthwatering quick bread recipes, each tried and true—a testament to the author's commitment to elevating your baking experience. Happy baking!
