"Quick Bread" Base Recipe, Savory or Sweet

Summary

In this tutorial, Bettie from BakerBettie.com teaches how to make quick bread, a yeast-free bread that uses baking powder or soda for leavening. She provides a base recipe adaptable for savory or sweet variations, detailing the process of mixing dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and optional herbs, with wet ingredients such as milk, eggs, and oil. For the sweet version, sugar and vanilla extract are added. The bread is baked at 350°F for 40-55 minutes, depending on the version. Bettie emphasizes the ease and speed of making quick bread, perfect for when yeast isn't available.

Takeaways

• 🍞 Quick bread is a type of bread made without yeast and uses chemical leavening agents like baking powder or baking soda.
• 🕒 It's called 'quick' bread because it's easy and fast to make compared to traditional yeast breads.
• 🌿 The base recipe can be adapted for both savory and sweet variations with different mix-ins.
• 🥄 For the savory version, combine dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, salt, and optional herbs, then mix with wet ingredients like milk, eggs, and oil.
• 🧂 If using self-rising flour, omit additional baking powder and salt as they are included in the flour.
• 🥚 The wet ingredients include milk, eggs, and a neutral-flavored oil or melted butter.
• 🍰 For the sweet version, add sugar to the wet ingredients and mix well before combining with the dry ingredients.
• 🍫 Both versions can include solid mix-ins like cheese, nuts, seeds, chocolate chips, or fruit.
• 🔥 Bake the bread at 350°F (180°C) for 40-45 minutes for savory or 50-55 minutes for sweet, until a tester comes out with moist crumbs.
• ⏰ Quick bread has a different texture than yeast bread, being more similar to a muffin, but is still delicious and a good option when yeast is not available.

Q & A

What is quick bread?

Quick bread is a type of bread made without yeast and uses chemical leavening like baking powder or baking soda to rise. It is easy and fast to make, hence the name 'quick bread.'

What is the difference between quick bread and traditional yeast bread?

Quick bread has a slightly different texture than traditional yeast bread, being more like a muffin in texture. It is also faster to prepare since it does not require the time for yeast to ferment.

Can you use self-rising flour to make quick bread?

Yes, you can use self-rising flour to make quick bread. If you use self-rising flour, you should use 2 and 1/4 cups or 270 grams and leave out the additional baking powder and salt as they are already included in the flour.

What are the wet ingredients used in the savory quick bread recipe?

The wet ingredients for the savory quick bread include one and a half cups (350 milliliters) of milk, three large eggs, and six tablespoons (90 milliliters) of a neutral flavored oil like canola or vegetable oil, or melted butter.

How long does it take to bake the savory quick bread?

The savory quick bread bakes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius for 40 to 45 minutes.

What is the difference between the savory and sweet versions of the quick bread recipe?

The main difference is the addition of sugar to the sweet version, which can be granulated sugar or light or dark brown sugar. The sweet version also includes about one teaspoon of vanilla extract, which is optional.

How much sugar is used in the sweet quick bread recipe?

One and a half cups or 300 grams of sugar is used in the sweet quick bread recipe.

What is the baking time for the sweet quick bread?

The sweet quick bread bakes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius for about 50 to 55 minutes.

What type of pan is recommended for baking the quick bread?

A nine by five inch loaf pan, which is a 23 by 15 centimeter loaf pan, is recommended. Lining the pan with parchment paper or greasing it can facilitate easy removal of the bread after baking.

What are some mix-ins that can be added to the quick bread recipe?

Mix-ins can include fresh herbs, dry spices, cheese, nuts, seeds, chocolate chips, or fruit. These can be added according to personal preference for both savory and sweet versions.

What is the importance of not overmixing the quick bread batter?

Overmixing the quick bread batter can lead to a tough and dry texture. It is important to mix the ingredients well but not for too long to ensure a tender crumb in the final bread.