How to Make Buttermilk Quick Bread: With 10 Different Variations

Print this recipe

Basic Buttermilk Quick Bread
Makes one loaf

2 cups (10 oz) all-purpose flour

1/2 cup (4 oz) white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (8 oz) buttermilk
1 large egg
1/4 cup (2 oz) unsalted butter, olive oil, or vegetable oil

Heat the oven to 350F. Grease or spray with nonstick cooking spray a standard 9x5
loaf pan.

Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium
mixing bowl. Melt the butter, if using. Whisk it in a separate bowl with the
buttermilk and the egg.

Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients. Gently stir and fold the
ingredients until all the flour has been incorporated and a shaggy, wet batter is
formed. Be careful not to over-mix.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and pat it into the corners. Bake for 45-50
minutes. When finished, the loaf should be domed and golden, and a toothpick
inserted into the center should come out clean. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15
minutes before removing and slicing.

Wrap baked loaves tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature. Baked
loaves can also be wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil and frozen for up to three
months.

Basic Variations:

Sugar can be reduced to a tablespoon for more savory breads.

Up to half the flour can be substituted with an alternative flour.
Replace the buttermilk with a mix of yogurt and milk or milk and a squeeze of
lemon.
Use up to 1 1/2 cups fruits, nuts, olives, cheese, or other ingredients, added to
the dry ingredients.
Use 1-3 teaspoons of herbs or spices, added to the dry ingredients.

10 Variations:

1. Cranberry-Walnut Loaf (pictured above) - 1 c. dried cranberries, 1/2 cup toasted

and chopped walnuts, 1 tsp vanilla, zest from one orange
2. Apple-Cinnamon Loaf - 1 c. diced apples, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup toasted and
chopped nuts
3. Cherry-Almond Loaf - 1 c. dried cherries, 1/2 cup toasted and chopped almonds, 1
tsp almond extract
4. Blueberry Loaf - 1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 tsp vanilla, zest from one
lemon
5. Ginger-Orange Loaf - zest from two oranges, 1/4 cup minced crystallized ginger,
1 tsp cinnamon, pinch of cloves, pinch of nutmeg
6. Herbed Sun-dried Tomato and Cheese Loaf (pictured below) - reduce sugar to 1 T,
1/2 c. grated cheese, 1 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp thyme, 2 T minced sun-dried tomatoes
7. Onion-Dill Loaf - reduce sugar to 2 T, one minced onion cooked until soft, 1 T
minced fresh dill
8. Pesto Loaf - reduce sugar to 1 tablespoon, 1/4 c. pesto, 1/2 c. shredded
parmesan cheese
9. Spicy Jalapeno Loaf - reduce sugar to 2 tablespoons, 1/4 cup minced jalapeno
peppers, 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese, 2 tsp chili powder
10. Irish Soda Bread Look-Alike Loaf - reduce sugar to 1/4 cup, 1 T caraway seeds,
3/4 cup raisins

01.19.12 6:15PM
Emma Christensen