BASIC QUICK BREAD RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1/2 teaspoon sugar in warm water; let stand until bubbles form on surface. Whisk together remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Stir oil into yeast mixture; pour into flour mixture and beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 8-10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1-1/2 to 2 hours., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half. Shape each into a loaf. Place in 2 greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, 1 to 1-1/2 hours., Bake at 375° until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped or has reached an internal temperature of 200°, 30-35 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour bottom only of 3 (5 1/2x3-inch) mini-loaf pans; set aside.
• Combine flour, baking powder and salt in bowl; set aside.
• Combine milk, sugar, melted butter, eggs and vanilla in another bowl; stir 20-30 seconds. Add flour mixture, one-third at a time, stirring after each addition just until smooth. (There may be a few small lumps in batter.) Stir in chopped pecans.
• Divide batter among prepared pans. Bake 32-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; run knife around inside edge of pans. Remove bread from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely.
• Variations:Pecan Date: Combine chopped pecans, 1 cup chopped dates and 2 teaspoons flour in bowl; toss to coat. Gently stir into batter.Cherry-Cranberry Almond: Omit pecans. Substitute almond extract for vanilla. Combine 1 cup cherry-flavored dried cranberries, 1 cup sliced almonds and 2 teaspoons flour in bowl; toss to coat. Gently stir into batter.Apricot Walnut: Omit pecans. Combine 1 cup chopped walnuts, 3/4 cup finely chopped dried apricots and 2 teaspoons flour in bowl; toss to coat. Gently stir into batter.Mini Chocolate Chip: Omit pecans. Combine 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon flour in bowl; toss to coat. Gently stir into batter.Lemon Poppy Seed: Omit pecans. Substitute lemon juice for vanilla. Gently stir 1 tablespoon poppy seeds and 2 teaspoons lemon zest into batter. Bake 28-30 minutes.Orange Coconut Macadamia: Omit pecans. Substitute orange juice for vanilla. Combine 3/4 cup macadamia nuts and 1 teaspoon flour in bowl; toss to coat. Gently stir macadamia nuts, 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut and 2 teaspoons orange zest into batter.Ginger Spice: Omit pecans. Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg to flour mixture. Stir 1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger into batter. Bake 28-30 minutes.