8 Impossible-to-Botch Breads

Making homemade bread sounds intimidating. No one wants to invest the time, only to have the bread come out of the oven totally different than what they expected. But these simple recipes are so straightforward, they're actually impossible to botch.



1. Rosemary Focaccia







Focaccia is a flavorful and easy-to-make Italian flat bread that feeds a crowd. This classic version is topped with coarse salt and fresh rosemary but other toppings can be added, such as thinly sliced tomatoes, olives or grated cheese. Enjoy it warm out of the oven with Italian favorites, like Pasta e Fagioli or Fettucini Bolognese. Leftovers are delicious sliced for sandwiches. GET THE RECIPE



2. Homemade Naan







Naan is a soft and pillowy Indian-style flatbread traditionally made in a tandoor. Believe it or not, it's easy to make at home -- all you need is a cast iron skillet or non-stick pan. Serve it with my Indian Spiced Red Lentil & Chicken Soup or an Indian-style curry dish for soaking up the sauce. GET THE RECIPE



3. Perfect Pumpkin Bread







I've tried many pumpkin bread recipes over the years, but none as good as this one. It's easy -- just a bit of mixing and stirring, pop it in the oven, and, in about an hour, you'll have a house smelling of sweet autumn spices and two scrumptious, pumpkiny loaves. GET THE RECIPE



4. Cranberry Nut Bread







This is a sweet, orange-scented quick bread that's chock-full of cranberries and walnuts. It freezes beautifully, so you can bake several loaves now and defrost as needed. GET THE RECIPE



5. Savory Cornbread with Cheddar and Thyme







This Northern-style cornbread has great flavor from the addition of corn, cheddar cheese and fresh thyme. Serve it with Texas-style Beef Chili for a hearty, comforting meal. GET THE RECIPE



6. Cheddar Soda Bread







Soda bread is a quick and easy table bread leavened with baking soda instead of yeast. This version is made with extra sharp cheddar, which gives it a crisp, golden crust and tender, cheesy interior. The dough takes just 10 minutes to put together and bakes in under an hour -- all the while making the house smell divine. GET THE RECIPE



7. Chai Spiced Banana Bread







This banana loaf is subtly infused with warm chai spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and allspice -- a sophisticated twist on basic banana bread. GET THE RECIPE



8. Cornbread Muffins







These tender and sweet cornbread muffins are the perfect accompaniment to any Southern barbecue or Southwestern style dish. My kids love them so much that I'm constantly swatting their little hands away from the bread basket so they don't fill up before the main course. GET THE RECIPE

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