Here’s a simple and quick recipe for Quick Bread that you can easily customize with your favorite ingredients like nuts, fruits, or spices. This basic recipe results in a soft, moist loaf with a delightful crumb!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar (white or brown sugar, depending on preference)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar added, or you can use yogurt)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix the dry ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
3. Mix the wet ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract (if using).
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients:
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a dense loaf.
5. Bake the bread:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
6. Cool and serve:
- Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!
Optional Add-ins:
- Nuts: Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter.
- Fruit: Mix in 1/2 cup of fresh or dried berries, banana slices, or diced apples.
- Chocolate: Stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips for a sweet twist.
Tips:
- If you prefer a sweeter quick bread, you can increase the sugar to 3/4 cup.
- Feel free to experiment with different spices, such as nutmeg or allspice, for variety.
This Quick Bread is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or as a simple dessert. It’s versatile, easy to make, and always delicious! Enjoy!