Discover the Delights of Simple Quick Breads

apple loaf

Quick breads are simpler to make than real bread, as they don’t use yeast. They aren’t really breads, they are more cakes. Here are a few nice simple plant-based recipes to try. Eat them alone or with a proper pot of tea! Try this Apple loaf (Rainbow Nourishments). Also read our post on vegan carrot cake.

Read our post on food safety for people and pets (fresh bread dough, dried fruits and nutmeg are all toxic to pets. Don’t give stale bread to garden birds or wildfowl, as it could choke (and fatty bread can smear on feathers, affecting waterproofing and insulation).

What Makes Quick Bread So Appealing?

Because they are sweeter than normal bread, but much simpler to make than a cake or bread, as they need no yeast. You can go from mixing the batter to enjoying a warm slice within an hour.

They don’t need kneading, you just mix the ingredients gently to keep gas bubbles intact, and then whip up delicious recipes. Some popular quick breads you are likely already familiar with are banana bread and gingerbread.

And because they have fruits or sometimes vegetables, it’s not beyond to say that they make quite a healthy breakfast! And most recipes use ingredients you can find in any store.

A New Nice Vegan Quick Bread Recipes

gingerbread cake

Gingerbread cake (Ela Vegan) is made with warming spices can also be turned into muffins, just pop batter into reusable silicone cupcake cases.

vegan banana cake

This banana cake recipe (The Veg Space) is really easy to make. A great way to use up over-ripe black spotted bananas.

blueberry banana bread

This blueberry banana bread (Ela Vegan) contains many fresh berries. The natural dye is from the blueberries, nothing artificial.

courgette bread

This homemade courgette bread (Rainbow Nourishments) is nice stuffed with vegan chocolate chips (Plamil is a good brand in paper packs, or sub with walnuts or pecans).

Related to squash, courgettes are used for ratatouille (if not harvested, they grow into marrows). Avoid ones that are wrinkled or have yellow skin or black spots.

Store in the fridge. Choose Choose organic to avoid cross-pollinated seed batches that carry a toxin (Tim Dowling writes how he poisoned himself with homegrown courgettes).

courgette bread

If you’re a choccy-holic, also try Anthea’s recipe for Chocolate Courgette Bread, which unlike the above recipe, has more chocolate than courgette!

Tips for Baking Perfect Quick Breads

  • Mix  the batter gently, without over-working. Stirring too much will develop gluten, and lead to a rubbery bread! Use a spatula or spoon, not a mixer and fold ingredients gently.
  • Use a standard-sized loaf pan for a nice rise and crust.
  • Most bake around 45 minutes, so keep the oven at an even temperature and pre-heat before baking. Place the pan in the middle rack for even heat.
  • To check your quick bread is done, insert a skewer in the centre to come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden brown and spring back, when gently touched.

Customising Flavours and Adding Mix-ins

  • Add ½ to 1 cup of chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans) for crunch.
  • Stir in dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates.
  • Use spices like cinnamon or ginger, to add warmth.
  • For a fresh twist, fold in berries or citrus zest.

When adding mix-ins, coat them lightly in flour before folding into the batter. This stops them from sinking to the bottom during baking.

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