Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (2024)

If you want the fun of baking without the hassle of dealing with yeast, make one of our quick bread recipes. Quick breads are a category of easy-to-make baked goods that includes muffins, biscuits, scones, cornbread, and loaves. They are leavened with baking powder and/or baking soda instead of yeast. This baking technique yields fast results because you can pop your bread directly into the oven without allowing time for the dough to rise, a step that's always required when baking with yeast.

While banana bread might be the most well-known quick bread, there are so many other delicious options to choose from—and not all are shaped like loaves. In fact, individual treats, like scones and muffins, bake faster than a loaf of chocolate-zucchini bread or a cranberry loaf.

Quick breads are wonderful paired with a cup of tea or coffee for a snack or afternoon tea, they also make wonderful breakfasts. Turn to our quick bread recipes when you want an easy, tasty homemade baked good.

30 Muffin Recipes to Enjoy at Breakfast, Brunch, or Snack Time

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Lemon Scones

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (1)

One of our favorite quick bread recipes, these lemon scones are easy to make and rich and decadent to eat. There's heavy cream in the batter and a two-ingredient lemon drizzle on top.

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02of 23

Classic Cornbread

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (2)

A classic indeed, cornbread is a versatile quick bread that's just as toothsome served bare bones as it is punched up with other ingredients, like hot peppers and honey. This traditional take has a balance of soft and crumbly textures that lends itself well to being an accompaniment to chili, soup, and more.

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03of 23

Pumpkin-Orange Bread

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Pumpkin lovers will rejoice over this quick-bread, and you will too because it's so easy to make. Using canned pumpkin keeps the preparation time to a minimum—just 15 minutes for a treat that tastes like it took much longer to make.

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04of 23

Cinnamon-Sugar Ragamuffins

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (4)

A hybrid of biscuits and cinnamon rolls, this delightful quick bread is taken to the next level by sprinkling the top with sanding sugar.

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05of 23

Cranberry Bread

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (5)

If you need a last-minute dessert for a holiday party or potluck, consider this cranberry bread. It comes together in a few simple steps and the cranberries give this quick bread a tart, invigorating bite that will have everyone coming back for seconds and thirds.

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06of 23

Blueberry Scones

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (6)

Blueberry muffins are a classic and this recipe proves that blueberry scones should be too. Enjoy these buttery sweet treats for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea.

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07of 23

Apple-Oatmeal Muffins

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (7)

Diced McIntosh apple and quick-cooking oats give these muffins a delightful flavor and texture while a buttery crumb topping puts them over the top.

Apple-Oatmeal Muffins

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Streusel Banana Bread

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (8)

Thanks to its glorious, nutty streusel topping, notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt speckle every bite of this banana bread-coffee cake hybrid.

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09of 23

Strawberry Bread

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (9)

Strawberries are the star ingredient of this recipe—they're mashed, simmered in a saucepan, and mixed into a batter spiced with cinnamon. Spread each slice with softened cream cheese to add a creamy element to this sweet treat.

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10of 23

Lemon-Poppy Seed Buttermilk Biscuits

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (10)

These fluffy biscuits come together in 20 minutes and are perfect served with butter and jam for breakfast. They're also an ideal dessert option when topped with a dollop of whipped cream and sliced strawberries.

Lemon-Poppy Seed Buttermilk Biscuits

11of 23

One Batter, Four Muffins

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (11)

Use this easy batter to make blueberry or raspberry muffins, strawberry muffins, or banana-pecan muffins. It's sure to become your go-to muffin recipe.

12of 23

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (12)

Semi-sweet chocolate and cocoa powder give this zucchini bread a double whammy of rich-chocolatey flavor. Make the treat extra sweet by whipping up an easy, three-ingredient glaze with confectioners' sugar, whole milk, and poppy seeds.

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13of 23

Martha's Soda Bread with Rye and Currants

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (13)

Although it's most often enjoyed at St. Patrick's Day, Martha's soda bread is so good you'll want to serve it year-round. The recipe calls for familiar ingredients, such as currants and caraway seeds, but is also a little different thanks to the addition of rye flour and wheat bran.

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14of 23

Carrot-Asiago Bread

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Carrots work great in savory baked goods as well as sweet. Sour cream and Asiago cheese give this quick bread a creamy, smooth texture while the nutty topping adds a subtle crunch.

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15of 23

Test Kitchen's Favorite Buttermilk Biscuits

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (15)

No biscuit cutter or pastry blender is needed for this easy biscuit recipe! Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into neat squares—and enjoy the fluffy biscuits with a pat of butter, swipe of jam, or a drizzle of gravy.

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16of 23

Vegan Banana Bread

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (16)

Looking for a dairy-free option? This vegan spin on a classic quick bread uses coconut oil, ground flaxseed, and almond milk in place of dairy for an moist, scrumptious banana bread.

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17of 23

Zucchini-Parmesan Bread with Poppy Seeds

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (17)

Looking for a way to use up zucchini? This savory bread is a delicious option. It's loaded with tender zucchini, freshly grated Parmesan, and poppy seeds add a welcome crunch.

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18of 23

Morning Glory Muffins

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (18)

With layers of flavor thanks to the grated apples, carrot, coconut, and golden raisins, these generously sized muffins work well as a filling, nutritious, grab-and-go breakfast option.

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19of 23

Herb-Cheddar Scones

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (19)

Elevate your morning breakfast sandwich by using our herb-cheddar scones instead of the usual toast or bagel. Scallions, sharp cheddar, and dill are used in the dough for a depth of earthy flavor.

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20of 23

Irish-Style Brown Bread

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (20)

Similar to the bread you might find on a traditional Irish table, this version cuts whole-wheat flour with rye flour. The five-ingredient recipe comes together in less than an hour and can be enjoyed with butter and jam for breakfast or dipping into soups and stews for dinner.

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21of 23

Cheddar Bread

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (21)

If you're in the mood to bake but don't want to dirty a bunch of dishes, consider this cheddar bread. The ingredients are whisked together by hand in two bowls and baked in a loaf pan. It's easy to make, easy to clean up after, and absolutely delicious.

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Test Kitchen's Favorite Banana-Chocolate Chip Bread

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There are so many ways to make banana bread but we think this is one of the best. Buttermilk makes it tender and adding semisweet chocolate chips seals the deal.

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23of 23

Dark and Spicy Pumpkin Loaf

Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (23)

As its name suggest, this gluten-free treat is just the thing for pumpkin fans. The recipe calls for familiar ingredients, like pumpkin purée, cinnamon, and nutmeg, which are combined with buckwheat and rice flours for a treat everyone can enjoy.

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Muffins, Scones, and More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a scone and a muffin? ›

Scone is more like a bread-like bake. If cooked well, it will have a nice crunchy outside and soft inside. Muffin is more like a cake. Muffin batter is fairly wet and easily poured whereas a scones batter is dense and easy to handle by hand.

What are the 7 quick breads? ›

Muffins, scones, soda bread, pancakes, banana bread, cornbread and biscuits all fall under the “quick bread” category. These quick bread recipes typically fall into two subcategories: bread made with dough and bread made with batter.

What are the three main quick breads? ›

Types of Quick Bread
  • Banana bread: This is one of the most popular kinds of quick bread. ...
  • Cornbread: This yeast-free bread is a fantastic compliment to any meal—especially chilis and other hearty fare.
  • Soda bread: You guessed it: Soda bread gets its name from the baking soda used in the recipe.
Feb 8, 2021

Why are scones called quick breads? ›

Quick bread uses chemical leavening ingredients instead of yeast, so the long process of waiting for the dough to establish is eliminated. Along with biscuits and scones, muffins, cornbread, and fruit- or vegetable-based bread (like banana or pumpkin) are all examples of quick bread.

What is the American version of a scone? ›

There are quite a few videos online where British (or Commonwealth) people try American Biscuits and Gravy. They always say that American's just call scones "biscuits", and they usually confirm that understanding after they try the recipe.

What do the British call scones? ›

A Biscuit (U.S.) Is a Scone (U.K.)

A British biscuit is not remotely similar to the fluffy and filling American biscuits made famous in Southern American cuisine. The closest British equivalent to those buttery miracles is a scone, which ain't too bad either.

What do eggs do in quick bread? ›

Eggs provide structure and help bind the ingredients together. Eggs also act as an emulsifier. By surrounding small particles of fat, the egg helps make the quick bread batter smoother, thus contributing to volume and texture.

Is cream puff a quick bread? ›

they are quickly baked and are usually baked immediately after mixing e.g. muffins, biscuits, popovers, cream puffs, pan cakes, wafers and doughnuts.

Should quick bread be refrigerated? ›

Note that at no point during these four days should you store your muffins or quick breads in the refrigerator. Doing so will cause the starches to crystallize, turning your treats brittle and crumbly. Longer Than Four Days: To keep muffins and quick breads longer than four days, you're going to need to freeze them.

Are American biscuits the same as scones? ›

But what, exactly, is the difference between a biscuit and a scone? If you're in the U.S., a biscuit is a round, flaky, buttery piece of leavened bread. In the U.K. a biscuit is a crisp cookie often enjoyed at tea time. A scone is a quick bread that is denser than a biscuit and can be either savory or sweet.

What are biscuits called in England? ›

In Britain, what Americans refer to as “biscuits” are known as “scones.” British biscuits are actually what Americans call “cookies.” The term “biscuits” in the United Kingdom typically refers to sweet, crumbly, and sometimes buttery bakes treats, distinct from the soft, bread-like biscuits found in the United States.

What is the difference between a British biscuit and an American biscuit? ›

A British biscuit is what Americans know as a cookie or a cracker. In the United Kingdom, the word biscuit refers to any hard, thin, bread-like product. A distinguishing factor between an American cookie and a British biscuit is that a British biscuit must always have a “snap” because it is crispy.

What makes a scone a scone? ›

“Scones are made with cream and eggs,” said Katina Talley, owner of Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop in Omaha, Nebraska. “They're sweeter, drier, and may contain fruit. Biscuits are typically made with buttermilk and no eggs. They're flaky, soft, and traditionally not sweet.”

Do muffins and scones use the same mixing method? ›

The muffin mixing method is used for most quick breads that result in a batter rather than a dough. Most quick breads that are made from doughs, such as biscuits and scones, utilize the biscuit mixing method.

Are scones and English muffins the same thing? ›

Fast Breads by Early & Morris describe a scone as “lighter than a biscuit, smoother than an English muffin, heavier than a muffin, and thicker than a flat bread.”

Why are they called scones? ›

The word is thought to have originated from the Dutch “schoonbrot,” meaning fine white bread; and the closely-related German “sconbrot,” which means fine or beautiful bread.

References

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