Need a Quick Bread Recipe? Here Are 5 Yummy Recipes!
What is a Quick Bread Recipe?
A quick bread recipe is a recipe that includes a chemical raising agent such as baking powder or baking soda, instead of a biological raising agent such as yeast. (*yeast is a living organism)
I’m sure your next question is probably about whether cakes and muffins are quick breads. The answer is “Yes”. Cakes, muffins, scones, pancakes and, biscuits are considered quick breads.
The benefit of a quick bread recipe versus a yeast bread recipe is that the chemical raising agent reacts immediately with the other ingredients. As such, there is no need to wait for the bread to rise before baking it. Also, there is no need to knead a quick bread before baking.
With yeast bread recipes, you have to knead and proof the dough prior to baking. In fact, for some yeast bread recipes, you may need to proof and knead the dough several times before baking.
In other words, using a chemical raising agent saves you time.
Keep in mind though that the texture of a yeast bread versus a quick bread will always be different.
What are the Mixing Methods for a Quick Bread?
There are 3 mixing methods that can be used in a quick bread recipe:
- The stirring method – This is the method used for most muffins and coffee cakes. The wet and dry ingredients are mixed in 2 separate bowls. Then the dry ingredients are folded into the wet ingredients until just combined. Fun fact: Sugar is usually treated as a “wet ingredient”. This is because it needs to be dissolved in the wet ingredients in order for it to be well distributed in the batter
- The creaming method – This is the method used to make most cakes. Typically, the butter and sugar are creamed till light and fluffy. Then the eggs are added one at a time. Finally, the remaining dry and wet ingredients are added in alternate succession until the cake batter is made. You can also check out the reverse creaming method on the Cooks Illustrated website.
- The biscuit method – This method involves cutting very cold butter into a basic flour/salt/sugar/baking powder mix. Then bring the dough together by adding some milk or buttermilk.
Are you now ready to select a quick bread recipe? I have selected 5 recipes below that I am sure you will enjoy making!