9 Yummy Quick (and Easy) Breads

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This banana bread recipe calls for vanilla, walnuts and a dash of flavorful dark liquor.

These lovely loaves are bound to be consumed as quickly as you can pop them out of the oven this time of year. Whether sweet or fruity, nutty or savory, quick batter breads — breads that don't depend on yeast or rising time — are perfect to bring to share with a friend or savor at home. Batter up and enjoy!

See also: 10 fall farmers market recipes

1. Date Nut Bread

by Marion Cunningham

This hearty, nutty bread is wonderful, its mild sweetness enhanced by the dates. A combination of all-purpose and whole-wheat flours keeps it light while upping the fiber. Try a slice for breakfast, spread with peanut butter.

Per serving: 363 calories, 3g saturated fat, 52g carbohydrates, 7g protein, 4g fiber, 400mg sodium

2. Cinnamon Raisin Bread

by Bonnie Ross

This bread is made without common allergens. It includes spelt flour, unprocessed sugar and almond milk, as well as sesame seeds and raisins. Slices are delicious toasted with butter.

Per serving: 159 calories, 0g saturated fat, 34g carbohydrates, 4g protein, 4g fiber, 154mg sodium

3. Buckwheat Seed Bread

by Jennifer Katzinger

A multitude of whole-grain flours and seeds make this gluten-free quick bread a nutritional powerhouse, while just a touch of molasses for sweetness keeps it low-sugar. This recipe makes two loaves: one to eat and one to share (or freeze).

Per serving: 126 calories, 1g saturated fat, 22g carbohydrates, 3g protein, 2g fiber, 171mg sodium

4. Pumpkin Bread

by Bernice Hunt

Consider this for dessert, breakfast or a snack. It's a moist, cake-like bread made with pumpkin, honey, brown sugar, walnuts and pumpkin-pie spices. It keeps well in the freezer, so it can be made weeks ahead.

Per serving: 417 calories, 2g saturated fat, 59g carbohydrates, 7g protein, 5g fiber, 427mg sodium

Next page: 5 more no-yeast bread recipes, including banana bread and cornbread. »

5. Banana Bread

by Nigella Lawson

Certainly more dessert than anything else, this luscious banana bread includes walnuts, vanilla and a dash of bourbon or dark rum. A chocolate version replaces two tablespoons of the flour with cocoa powder and adds bittersweet chocolate chunks.

Per serving: 285 calories, 6g saturated fat, 37g carbohydrates, 4g protein, 2g fiber, 294mg sodium

6. Irish Soda Bread

by Victoria Blashford-Snell and Brigitte Hafner

This traditional yeast-free bread relies on buttermilk and baking soda for its tender texture. The authors suggest serving it with a bowl of hot soup: Split pea would be delicious with it.

Per serving: 359 calories, 5g saturated fat, 57g carbohydrates, 11g protein, 2g fiber, 864mg sodium

7. Pear, Ginger and Pecan Loaf

by Art Smith

Minced crystallized ginger is the secret ingredient in this recipe, which also incorporates in-season Bosc pears and pear or apple juice for sweetness.

Per serving: 373 calories, 1g saturated fat, 54g carbohydrates, 6g protein, 2g fiber, 261mg sodium

8. Grandma's Creamed Cornbread

by Eric V. Copage

Heating the buttered pan in the oven before adding the batter ensures that this cornbread is crispy and delicious all the way through. Creamed corn makes it cakey and moist.

Per serving: 227 calories, 5g saturated fat, 33g carbohydrates, 5g protein, 2g fiber, 493mg sodium

9. Beer Bread

by Sara Moulton

This incredibly simple, rather decadent and almost magical recipe includes only butter, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and beer. The quality of the beer matters, and the butter should be tasty as well.

Per serving: 311 calories, 7g saturated fat, 43g carbohydrates, 5g protein, 1g fiber, 478mg sodium

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