10 Quick Bread and Biscuit Recipes That Bake in a Flash

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I make a lot of slow cooker soups and stews for dinner, but — alone — they never quite feel like a full meal. Over time, I've learned a great variety of quick bread and biscuit recipes that require few ingredients and, more importantly, no rise time before baking. Try to commit a few of these recipes to memory, and you'll feel incredibly empowered in your kitchen. You'll eat better, too! (See also: 10 Homemade Baking Mixes That Save Time and Money)

1. Baking Powder Biscuits

The secret to quick breads and biscuits is baking powder. These simple baking powder biscuits are incredibly easy to make, and you'll want to bake them again and again. I actually freeze large batches by letting the biscuits cool completely, slicing in half, and then freezing flat on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Wrap each biscuit in plastic wrap, and then place inside a larger airtight container. Thaw in the afternoon for biscuits by dinner.

2. Olive Oil Biscuits

These olive oil biscuits have great flavor and texture, and you can jazz them up with infused olive oils or keep them plain. It's up to you. The milk in this recipe will definitely give a fuller flavor, but vegans can easily substitute water or a nondairy milk in its place.

3. Whole Wheat Biscuits

For more nutrition, try making whole wheat biscuits. The recipe is similar to those above, just with a different flour ratio to account for how the whole wheat variety absorbs more water. I like using white-whole wheat flour because it keeps biscuits both fluffy and nutritious.

4. Drop Biscuits

If you're feeling particularly lazy, consider making drop biscuits. You'll toss all the ingredients together in a food processor, spoon the mix out of your bowl, and drop onto parchment paper. No processor? No problem. You can easily make this recipe by hand. Just use your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse meal.

5. Cheddar Bay Biscuits

These cheddar bay biscuits are one of my favorite sides to whip up with tomato-based soups. The secret is in the spices and seasonings, including garlic powder and cayenne. I like using sharp cheddar for a bolder taste. And the butter topping isn't a must, but you'll definitely want to try it at least once.

6. Dinner Rolls

I didn't know you could make soft, puffy rolls without yeast. This "cotton soft" dinner rolls recipe taught me otherwise. The pillowy texture comes from not using any water in the recipe. Instead, the liquids are yogurt and olive oil. Oh, and the yield of this recipe is 40 rolls, so feel free to cut in half or freeze your leftovers.

7. Cornbread

Chili just begs for sweet cornbread on the side. This recipe calls for sugar or honey, but you can also use sweeteners like maple syrup or agave, depending on your preference. Be sure to add the cornmeal slowly, depending on what kind you use. I like stone ground instead of fine because it's not as dry when baked.

8. Buttermilk Bread

I so appreciate the versatility of this buttermilk bread recipe. You can switch it up with all sorts of different add-ins to suit your tastes and pantry contents. If you don't have buttermilk in your refrigerator, replace it with a combination of regular milk (or substitute) and yogurt, or alternatively, milk and a squeeze of lemon to thicken.

9. Beer Bread

I like serving this three-ingredient beer bread with fondue. The trick is using self-rising flour, which is basically just flour with a leavening agent. The kind of beer you use is up to you, but the flavor will definitely come through in the final loaf. Experiment with your favorite brews — that's part of the fun.

10. Banana Bread

For a sweeter side, try this banana bread recipe. You'll need two or three very ripe bananas, butter, sugar, an egg, vanilla, baking soda, and — of course — all purpose flour. Here's another opportunity to get fancy, since you could easily toss in raisins or even shredded carrots for extra flair.

What are your favorite quick prep and bake bread recipes?

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