56 Bread Recipes Every Baker Should Master

Check These Loaves Off Your List

Written by
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Cathy Jacobs
Updated 09/17/20
Easy Potato Bread

The Spruce

Baking and sharing your own bread is a great way to win friends. Don't be intimidated by the notion of bread baking—with the right recipe, it's easier than you might think. These recipes are simple enough that even beginners can feel confident giving them a try. Some call for a bread machine, others require a stand mixer, but most need no appliance at all except for a hot oven. Soon, you'll be enjoying fresh white bread, crusty French baguettes, braided challah, party-worthy dinner rolls, and more.

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    Basic White Bread for Beginners

    Basic White Bread for Beginners

    The Spruce

    Have you always wanted to try baking your own bread at home? This easy-to-make white bread is tailor-made for beginners and yields two long freeform loaves. Only 20 minutes are needed to make the dough, which rests for an hour, before being kneaded, shaped, and oven-baked.

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    Butter and Egg Bread

    Butter and Egg Bread

    The Spruce

    This butter- and egg-based recipe creates a moist loaf that's perfect for serving when you entertain company, but it's also great for everyday meals. Slice it for grilled cheese sandwiches or use for croutons once it starts to go stale.

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    Amish Milk Bread

    Amish Milk Bread

    The Spruce

    Traditional Amish milk bread has a tender texture and slightly sweet flavor that makes it stand out from the usual white bread. You need only your oven and hand, to make this simple versatile loaf.

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    Herb and Parmesan Bread

    Herb and Parmesan Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Fewer than 10 ingredients are needed to make this aromatic herb and Parmesan bread. Made with a bread machine, this loaf is as fuss free as it gets. Slice, toast, and top with garlic butter to serve with lasagna or spaghetti and meatballs.

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    Beer Cheese Bread

    Beer Cheese Bread

    Ian O'Leary / Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

    Game day events call for hearty bread that can stand up to dipping into chili, beef stew, and other saucy eats. Use your bread machine to bake this effortless beer-infused cheese bread that fits the bill perfectly.

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    Peasant Bread

    Peasant bread on a cutting board

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    For a simple, rustic loaf that requires no kneading, turn to peasant bread. It's made in a round pan, comes together quickly, and goes with any meal.

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    Icelandic Thunder Bread

    Icelandic Thunder Bread

    Sally Williams Photography / Getty Images

    Thor himself would approve of this lightly sweet Icelandic thunder bread made with rye flour, molasses, and brown sugar. The dough is leavened with baking powder and steamed in a slow cooker to produce its signature dense texture. Slice thinly for topping with meats, pâtés, and cheeses.

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    Pretzel Bread

    Pretzel Bread

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Turn this tasty recipe for pretzel bread into a bowl for a warm comforting soup like potato or beer-cheese, or use it to make buns for hamburgers and sandwiches, or loaves to be slathered with butter to accompany a meal.

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    Ciabatta Bread

    Loaf of ciabatta bread with olive oil, basil, and tomatoes

    The Spruce / Elaine Lemm

    Despite its difficult-to-make reputation, this traditional Italian ciabatta bread is easy if you follow these directions. It's a great appetizer sliced with a drizzle of olive oil, tomatoes, basil, and a sprinkle of sea salt.

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    Braided Challah Bread

    Braided Challah Bread

    The Spruce

    Eggy challah bread makes great French toast and memorable sandwiches. This Jewish recipe creates a beautiful braided loaf you can serve proudly to family and friends.

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    Parmesan Breadsticks

    Homemade breadsticks

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

    It's easy to make your own soft and fluffy breadsticks that taste just like they came fresh from the oven at your favorite restaurant. These breadsticks pack extra flavor with Parmesan cheese in the dough.

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    Pumpernickel Bread

    Pumpernickel Bread

    The Spruce

    This recipe for two small round loaves of pumpernickel bread is easy to make and no bread machine is required. The dark bread makes an excellent sandwich bread for ham and Swiss cheese served with plenty of Dijon or honey mustard.

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    Honey Buttermilk Bread

    Honey Buttermilk Bread

    The Spruce

    Honey and buttermilk give this homey yeast bread great flavor and texture. Simply add all of the ingredients to your machine and press the start button. The recipe also includes tips for turning this bread into tasty rolls.

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    Puerto Rican Pan Sobao

    Pan Sobao Bread from Puerto Rico

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    Puerto Rican pan sobao is similar to a classic French bread, but with a softer crust. This recipe is simple enough for beginner bakers to make and produces two long, shiny loaves that you can use for Cuban sandwiches.

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    Irish Brown Soda Bread

    Irish Brown Soda Bread

    The Spruce / Elaine Lemm

    Traditional Northern Irish soda bread, also called wheaten bread, uses baking soda as a leavening agent instead of yeast. This ultra-simple version needs only four ingredients including buttermilk, which gives this loaf a tangy flavor that will make it a family favorite.

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    Sweet Potato Bread

    Sweet Potato Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    This hands-off sweet potato yeast bread is mixed and baked in the bread machine. Spices, dark brown sugar, and a little vanilla add warming flavors to the perfect-for-fall loaf.

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    Petits Pains (French Rolls)

    French Rolls (Petits Pains)

    The Spruce

    Petits pains are little baguettes with the same crunchy exterior and soft, chewy insides as their larger cousins. They make fantastic dinner rolls and are useful for soaking up the last bits of sauce or gravy from dinner plates and bowls.

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    Oregano and Romano Cheese Bread

    Oregano and Romano Cheese Bread

    Carolina Romare / Getty Images

    You might want to bake this Italian herb and cheese bread just for the aroma alone. It's a snap to prepare with dried oregano and Romano cheese (swap for basil and Parmesan if you prefer) and goes perfectly with pasta mains.

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    French Baguette

    French Baguette

    The Spruce

    The French baguette is a quintessential symbol of French culture. Now you can try your hand at making your own with a traditional recipe that produces baguettes with the crusty exterior and soft, slightly chewy inside that everyone loves.

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    German Farmer's Bread

    German Farmer's Bread

    Kontrast-fotodesign / Getty Images

    German farmer's bread is a rustic, crusty loaf that can be made with a stand mixer and your oven. This nutritious bread uses half white and half whole-wheat flour, plus healthful rolled oats and caraway seeds for added crunch.

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    Honey-Molasses Oatmeal Bread

    Honey-Molasses Oatmeal Bread

    Lindarocks / Getty Images

    Bread machine oatmeal bread flavored with honey and molasses tastes great toasted and spread with fruit jam or topped with a scoop of baked beans as part of a traditional English breakfast.

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    Chopped Onion Bread

    Chopped Onion Bread

    Tony Briscoe / Getty Images

    You don't need a bread machine to bake up an onion loaf at home just like the one served at fancy steakhouses. This recipe requires only one rise, some hand-kneading, and an hour for baking. It freezes well for enjoying later, too.

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    Country White Bread

    Country White Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    This simple bread machine recipe results in a white bread with a pleasant, chewy texture. It's excellent as toast for breakfast or use it to make sandwiches. Make this bread on rapid or quick cycle, or it can be made on the regular cycle with a little less yeast (about 2 teaspoons).

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    Honey Wheat Bread

    Honey Wheat Bread

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Honey wheat bread is moist, tender, and perfect for sandwiches. The recipe makes two loaves with a combination of all-purpose and whole-wheat flours, along with honey, warm milk, and melted butter. It's a wonderful option for your first wheat bread.

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    Whole-Wheat Sourdough Bread

    Whole-Wheat Sourdough Bread

    Cheeseslave / Flickr / CC2.0

    Old-fashioned sourdough bread is a favorite sandwich option that begins with a sourdough starter and an overnight rise. It takes some time, but the nuanced flavor is worth the effort.

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    Wheat Cornmeal Bread

    Wheat Cornmeal Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    This easy bread can be made with or without a machine. The cornmeal and whole-wheat flour add just enough texture to the loaf and a small amount of brown sugar sweetens it perfectly.

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    Gluten-Free Breakfast Bread

    Gluten-Free Breakfast Bread

    Jax10289 / Getty Images

    Eating gluten free doesn't have to mean skipping your morning toast. Bake up a wheatless bread with this homemade recipe that only requires a single rise. The finished loaf is high in protein and entirely dairy free.

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    Easy Potato Bread

    Easy Potato Bread

    The Spruce

    Freshly baked potato bread might just be the best-ever use for leftover mashed potatoes. This recipe is easy to knead by hand and produces two tasty loaves that are great for serving with saucy meat dishes or making Italian-style sandwiches with cheeses and cured meats.

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    Country Cinnamon Swirl Bread

    Country Cinnamon Swirl Bread

    Rebecca Siegel / Flickr / CC2.0

    Making your own delicious cinnamon swirl bread is easier than it seems and is a great alternative to store-bought pastries. The sweet bread is nicely spiced throughout with a ribbon of sugary cinnamon swirl running through the center.

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    Easy White Bread Rolls

    Easy White Bread Rolls

    Claudiad / Getty Images

    Consider this your go-to recipe for white bread rolls for family dinners or school lunch boxes. They can also be frozen and heated up whenever company visits. This baking sheet recipe makes about 15 rolls.

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    German Whole Rye Bread

    German Whole Rye Bread

    Kontrast / Getty Images

    Recreate the authentic experience of German whole rye bread with this recipe. Start the bread the day before you plan to bake to allow time for rising. You will end up with a seeded loaf that tastes great sliced thin, toasted, and topped with cream cheese.

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    Braided White Bread

    Braided White Bread

    Ian Batchelor / Getty Images

    If you can braid a ponytail, then you can fashion this impressive-looking braided white bread. Only six ingredients and your oven are needed to make the recipe. Serve the browned braided loaves when company joins you for brunch or dinner.

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    Sour Cream White Bread

    Sour Cream White Bread

    James McQuillan / Getty Images

    White bread is an all-American household favorite for everything from buttered toast to lunchtime sandwiches. This simple recipe adds sour cream to the dough for an extra moist loaf.

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    Jalapeño Cheese Bread

    Jalapeño Cheese Bread

    Jmackinnell / Flickr / CC 2.0

    Serve homemade jalapeño cheese bread with your favorite Mexican cuisine. The bread machine does all the hard work, producing a hearty cheesy bread with a nice kick from fresh or pickled jalapeño peppers.

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    Rustic Spanish Bread (Pan Rustico)

    Rustic Spanish Bread (Pan Rustico)

    John Burke / Getty Images

    You need only five ingredients to bake up three round and rustic loaves that would be right at home in a Spanish kitchen. This is an entirely handmade bread with no special equipment needed. Bonus: It freezes well.

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    Crusty French Bread

    Crusty French Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    A pie plate full of hot water is the secret to this recipe for French country-style bread. It begins in the bread machine, where ingredients are mixed and kneaded, and finishes in the oven where it is baked to crusty perfection.

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    English Muffin Bread

    English Muffin Bread

     Kristina Vanni

    For an easy alternative to individually griddled English muffins, make a loaf or two of English muffin bread. It has the same flavor and nooks and crannies you love without the hassle.

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    Pumpkin Yeast Bread

    Pumpkin Yeast Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Colorful pumpkin bread makes a delicious autumnal alternative to ordinary white loaves. It's made easily in the bread machine for enjoying alongside a bowl of warming chili or topped with apple butter.

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    Gluten-Free Rosemary Walnut Bread

    Gluten-Free Rosemary Walnut Bread

    Howard Shooter / Getty Images

    Bake up a gluten-free loaf to impress guests with this savory country-style recipe for rosemary walnut bread. A stand mixer is helpful for forming the dough for this crusty bread. It smells fantastic baking and looks pretty sliced with its herb-flecked interior.

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    Cocoa Bread

    Cocoa Bread

    Sharon Vos-Arnold / Getty Images

    Bread machine cocoa bread has a bit of chocolate goodness but is not overly sweet, making it a great choice for special breakfasts. Use it for making Nutella French toast and watch kids' eyes light up.

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    Orange Sage Bread

    Orange Sage Bread

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Orange sage bread is a lovely light bread that's elegant enough to serve at fancy brunches. This recipe is simple enough for novice bakers to make with no bread machine needed and produces one fruity, sage-studded loaf.

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    Multigrain Bread

    Multigrain Bread

    Ian O'Leary / Getty Images

    Multigrain cereal is the star ingredient in this healthy recipe that makes a great, additive-free alternative to store-bought loaves. The flavorful bread machine-produced loaf has great texture and makes an excellent sandwich bread.

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    Easy Turmeric-Basil Rye Bread

    Easy Turmeric-Basil Rye Bread

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    Turmeric and basil boost the flavor of this simple rye loaf to create a special herbed sandwich bread the family will love to eat. A mix of white and rye flours gives the bread flavor and texture without the need for a sourdough starter.

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    Homemade Fresh Parsley Bread

    Homemade Fresh Parsley Bread

    Alina555 / Getty Images

    The parsley sings in this herbaceous bread that's a wonderful way to use up a bounty of fresh leaves from your garden. The bread is suitable for all baking levels with no bread machine required.

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    Traditional Italian Bread

    Traditional Italian Bread

    The Spruce

    Freshly baked Italian bread is one of life's great pleasures. This recipe yields two long loaves that are perfect for serving with Italian dishes or topping with meat and cheese for appetizers.

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    Herb and Garlic Bread

    Herb and Garlic Bread

    Flickr CC 2.0

    Herb and garlic soup mix is the secret ingredient in this savory bread that's great for family dinners and special occasions alike. The dough is hand-shaped into a round loaf that bakes in your oven on a cookie sheet until golden.

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    Bread Machine Cinnamon Raisin Bread

    Bread Machine Cinnamon Raisin Bread

    Frank Cezus / Getty Images

    Wow your family with this homemade cinnamon raisin bread that bakes effortlessly in the bread machine. It will make your kitchen smell heavenly and is especially good topped with melted butter or used in French toast casseroles.

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    One-Loaf Oatmeal Bread

    One-Loaf Oatmeal Bread

    Barry Yee / Getty Images

    Homemade oatmeal bread is more nutritious than packaged, store-bought loaves. Try this one-loaf recipe toasted and buttered or use for making peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

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    German Seed Bread

    German Seed Bread

    Relax Images / Getty Images

    This dense, chewy German-style bread makes use of overnight fermentation for maximum flavor. The seed-crusted exterior looks beautiful as part of a rustic lunch or dinner party table. Serve alongside roasted chicken.

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    German Hard Rolls

    German Hard Rolls

    Magdus / Pixabay / CC By 0

    If you've visited a German restaurant, there's a good chance you've enjoyed these bread rolls. They are simple to make, requiring an overnight soak and some hand kneading. Top with poppy seeds for extra crunch.

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    Buckwheat Molasses Bread

    Buckwheat Molasses Bread

    Westend61 / Getty Images

    Dark and dense buckwheat molasses bread has a flavor and texture similar to many Eastern European breads. This easy recipe produces one heavy loaf that can be sliced and topped with fruit preserves or cheese.

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    Milk and Honey Bread

    Milk and Honey Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    The bread machine makes preparing this milk and honey bread an almost hands-free task. The resulting loaf has a moist, fluffy texture with a light sweetness that complements a variety of sandwich ingredients.

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    Kalamata Olive Bread

    Kalamata Olive Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    This Greek-style olive bread recipe makes a large loaf that's great for sharing. Basil and Kalamata olives plus some of the olive brine make this bread an olive lover's dream. Serve with olive oil for dipping.

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    Cajun Bread

    Cajun Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Chopped onion, bell pepper, garlic, and a generous amount of Cajun seasoning make this bread machine loaf extra flavorful. Use it to make spiced chicken sandwiches or a classic muffuletta.

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    Homemade Slider Buns

    Homemade Slider Buns

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Use a stand mixer or your bread machine to make fluffy slider buns for sandwiching mini burgers, seafood salad, or party-ready pulled pork. They'll take your game day snack spread up a notch.

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    Cinnamon Rolls in the Bread Machine

    Cinnamon Rolls in the Bread Machine

    J Shepherd / Getty Images

    Is there any smell more enticing than warm cinnamon rolls baking? Use the bread machine to make these crowd-pleasing yeasty pastry treats that are drizzled with sugary frosting while still warm.