Stop Loafing Around: 30 Easy Great Homemade Bread Recipes

We’ve rounded up thirty great homemade bread recipes for you here — everything ranging from yeast breads to quick breads to a few for special diets — to make you an even better baker! Need more inspiration? Be sure to check out some past Brit + Co. favorites like 3-Ingredient Cheesy Monkey Bread, Farmhouse Whole Wheat Bread and Cauliflower Protein Bread (it’s Paleo-friendly!).

1. Honey-Wheat Bread: This Outback Steakhouse copycat creates irresistible, slightly sweet loaves. Make sure you have plenty of softened butter on hand to slather on still-warm slices! (via I Heart Eating)

2. Sweet Potato Challah: Combining sweet potatoes and Challah — does a more Thanksgivukkah-appropriate bread exist? Bonus: those childhood sleepover-honed braiding skills will be put to use when shaping this loaf. (via La Petite Brioche)

3. Brioche Rolls with Chocolate: Utilizing a foolproof, bake-on-your-own-schedule brioche dough, these chocolate-filled brioche rolls are easy enough to whip up first thing in the morning. A fantastic accompaniment to your morning cup of coffee. (via Tutti Dolci)

4. Parker House Rolls: This classic American roll recipe needs to be in your bread-baking repertoire. A crowd favorite, these rolls gets a little extra oomph with a quick brush of butter and sprinkle of flaky salt just before baking. (via Bon Appetit)

5. Spelt Bread Rolls (Vegan): These rolls utilize spelt — a more easily digested form of wheat (psst, it’s not gluten-free) — in three forms! With an added boost of texture from walnuts, sesame and pumpkin seeds, they are also rather high in protein. (via Green Attraction)

6. Herb and Cheese Pull-apart Bread: Whip up a batch of this savory pull apart bread the next time the mood for garlic bread strikes. Each bite if full of garlicy-cheesy-herby goodness! (via The Tummy Train)

7. Crusty Baguette (Gluten-free): Can you believe these gorgeous, bakery-quality loaves are gluten-free? Employing a few alternative flours — rice, sorghum and cornstarch — along with psyllium husk (in place of the more common xanthan gum), this is a great recipe for gluten-free baking pros and novices alike! (via Bread & Companatico)

8. Monkey (Ginger)bread: A festive twist on the classic monkey bread, this spiced loaf would be a welcome addition at breakfast — especially on holiday mornings — all winter long. (via Splash of Something)

9. No-Knead Bread: Flour, yeast, salt and water. Those are the only ingredients you need to make this nouveau classic, impressively crusty loaf at home! (via Babble)

10. Panettone: Save the dried fruit for another use, this version of panettone is full of chocolate and nuts! The recipe uses metric measurements, but a kitchen scale — like this clever Digital Scale and Measuring Cup — or a quick conversion will have you baking this traditional Italian Christmas loaf in no time. (via From Buenos Aires to Paris)

11. Croissants: Master flaky, French croissants at home with this fantastic pictorial guide. Prefer yours filled (mmmmm, Nutella would be ahh-maze-ing, right?) — don’t worry, that’s covered in this tutorial, too. (via Iron Whisk)

12. Sourdough Bread: The “mother” of all breads, this recipe guides you through making the original San Francisco treat — sourdough — from scratch. (via Instructables)

13. Pizza Monkey Bread: All thoughts of cheesy breadsticks will disappear once you try this savory monkey bread! If you’re not ready to work with yeast quite yet, feel free to substitute pre-made biscuit dough from the grocery store. (via What’s Gaby Cooking)

14. Pain D’Epi (Wheat Stalk Bread): It’s amazing what a little clever shaping can do for bread. Just a few snips and folds, and a baguette is transformed into a gorgeous wheat stalk-shaped loaf — a nice change of pace from sliced bread and rolls, no? (via Monistical)

15. Soft Pretzels: Oktoberfest may be over, but that doesn’t mean homemade soft pretzels are any less of a hit! Try them dipped in one of our kicked-up queso recipes — the Chipotle Bacon Queso, OMG — for the ultimate football season snack! (via 8.ate@eight)

16. Cinnamon Buttermilk Bread Wreath: This deceptively easy braided loaf is topped with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar, for just a hint of spice. By combining buttermilk and yeast, you are rewarded with a lovely, soft and fluffy loaf. (via Bakeaholic Mama)

17. Skillet Focaccia: Do you love focaccia, but are short on time? This recipe is for you — it only takes about an hour to make! (via Crunchy Creamy Sweet)

18. Chocolate-Orange Swirl Bread (Low Carb & Gluten-free): The classic-yet-polarizing combo of orange and chocolate creates a flavorful loaf of quick bread, perfect for breakfast or for an afternoon tea. Utilizing almond flour and alternative sweeteners, it’s a great recipe for those looking for a higher protein, low-carb and gluten-free treat. (via All Day I Dream About Food)

19. English Muffins: While excellent all year long, keep this recipe for homemade English muffins chock-full of nooks and crannies in mind when it’s too hot out to light the oven — they are “baked” entirely on the stovetop! (via Seeded at the Table)

20. Naan: There are so many different ways you can jazz up this basic naan recipe — herbs, cheese, you name it! Use any leftover naan as a pizza crust stand-in; you’ll have a tasty, no-delivery-required meal ready in no time. (via Food52)

21. Grain-free Sandwich Bread (Paleo and SCD): While still denser than the white bread of our childhoods, a lighter crumb is achieved with the clever addition of beaten egg whites stirred into the mix just before baking. Slices toast up beautifully, and work well for French toast, panini and more! (via Against All Grain)

22. Brioche Buns (Vegan): These barely sweet, vanilla-scented buns would be perfect alongside a cup of coffee or tea. As an added bonus: they’re made without a trace of butter or milk, making them vegan without any sacrifice in flavor! (via Italian Chips)

23. Honey Beer Bread: No yeast or kneading here! This insanely quick-to-prepare bread is lent a lovely malty flavor from the beer, which is nicely complemented by a touch of honey and butter. (via Oh Sweet Day!)

24. Cornbread: No Thanksgiving table is complete without cornbread in some form — give the boxed mixes a rest this year (admittedly, I’m quite partial to them) and give this crumbly, slightly crunchy version a try. After turkey day, they would be a hit served alongside any of these fantastic chili recipes! (via Hummingbird High)

25. Buttermilk Biscuits: You’re only six ingredients away from flaky, golden biscuits that are fantastic on their own, or topped with a runny egg and bacon and assembled into a tasty breakfast sandwich. (via Food Network)

26. Apple Butter Drop Biscuits: No specialty equipment is needed for these biscuits — just your fingertips. The sneaky addition of whole wheat flour and apple butter gives these unfussy biscuits a nice healthy boost. (via Southern Souffle)

27. Easy, One Bowl Pumpkin Bread: It’s a shame that during one of the busiest times of year we are presented with so many irresistible pumpkin recipes to try, but no more hours in the day. That’s where this recipe comes in — one bowl means fewer dishes and more time to research your next pumpkin project . . . and spend with family and friends, of course! (via The Baker Chick)

28. Zucchini and Pecan Bread: These zucchini and pecan breads make perfect little gifts for the holidays. Baked in parchment-lined clay pots, just add some pretty paper and string to the outside and gift away! (via Canelle Et Vanille)

29. Carrot-Banana Bread: A fusion of two quickbread favorites — carrot and banana — this loaf avoids being overly dense with addition of whipped egg whites. For added texture and flavor variation, pecans or walnuts can be added to the mix. (via Chasing Delicious)

30. Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread): It’s no longer necessary to plan a trip to your nearest rodízio to get your fill of this airy, cheesy (and naturally gluten-free) bread. (via theKitchn)

Are you totally inspired to break out the flour and yeast, or are quick breads more your speed? Talk to us in the comments below.

We are now two for two on expecting Taylor Swift to announce Reputation (Taylor's Version) during an acceptance speech and getting an album announcement instead. After showing up to the 2022 VMAs in a "Look What You Made Me Do"-inspired outfit and announcing Midnights, Taylor Swift wore a black and white ensemble on the 2024 Grammys red carpet before telling the world her new album The Tortured Poets Department is coming this spring! Here's everything we know about the new Taylor Swift album. (Here's everything you need to know about Taylor Swift (Taylor's Version) too ;)).

What is Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

Taylor Swift's new album (which is also referred to as TS11) is called The Tortured Poets Department. Taylor Swift announced the album while accepting the award for Best Pop Album at the 2024 Grammys. While we don't know the exact vibe of the album, over the last year, we've gotten quite a few clues about what we can expect! Just like "Daylight" at the end of Lover sets up Midnights, I think "Dear Reader" sets up The Tortured Poets Department.

Taylor's official announcement features beautiful language that evokes the same emotion "The Lakes" does, which makes me believe TTPD will be similar to Folklore and Evermore (maybe it'll even serve as the third sister album Swifties thought we'd get in 2021?). Some fans are also convinced TTPD connects to Reputation, and TBH, I'm hopping on this train!

"I think the two albums are sisters albums, but in like an opposite way," one Reddit user says. "Reputation is all black, this one is going to be all white and softly coded."

"Reputation is presented as a dark album but is truly a love album," another user comments. "This one is presented as soft and white but I bet the lyrics will be devastating."

I'm expecting TS11 to have the same lyrical prowess as songs like "Would've, Should've, Could've," The National's "The Alcott" (on which Taylor's a featured artist), and "You're Losing Me." Taylor is all about looking past appearances and telling a complex story, and The Tortured Poets Department will be no different. Just like Reputation is an edgy, glittery, emotionally-charged version of the beginning of her relationship with ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn, I totally agree that TTPD could look grounded, airbrushed, and dreamy from the outside, but the lyrics will be SAD.

There's also been some discussion that TS11 could be another pop album that's even more nuanced than Midnights. Well, during her Eras Tour show in Sydney, Australia she played yet another round of suspicious surprise songs. While sitting at the piano, Taylor Swift takes her earpiece out and calls attention to the keyboard. "Do you hear that?" she says (via TikTok). "My damn keyboard's playing a synth sound." She then does what she almost always does when dropping an Easter egg: she smirks.

"That sound is how the album starts, mark my words," one comment reads. Another says, "That smirk tells me everything I need to know."

When is The Tortured Poets Department release date?

Image via Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The Tortured Poets Department is dropping April 19, 2024. But on February 16, an artist by the name of Nils Sjöberg posted a song titled "The Tortured Poets Department." You might be wondering, "Why is this noteworthy? Who's Nils?" Nils Sjöberg is the pseudonym Taylor Swift has been using for over 10 years! With the fake name, she's written hits like "This Is What You Came For" by Rihanna, so when the title track of TS11 popped up on Spotify, it didn't take long for Swifties to notice.

The singer's voice sounds like it could be an auto-tuned version of Taylor's, but admittedly, it could also be AI. With the recent advancements in audio AI, some tracks from The Tortured Poets Department have supposedly leaked online, but we'll have to wait until April 19th to hear what the album *actually* sounds like. Either way, Nils' song is a fun one to listen to!

At the Eras Tour shows in Tokyo, Taylor Swift explained when she started working on TTPD. “I’ve been working on Tortured Poets since right after I turned in Midnights,” she said onstage. “So, you turn in an album months in advance…and I’ve been working on it for about two years. I kept working on it throughout the U.S. tour and when it was perfect, in my opinion, when it was good enough for you, I finished it.”

"Soon you'll get to hear it, soon we'll get to experience it together," she continued. "I'm over the moon about the fact that you guys care about my music...Everyone’s like, ‘Why do you make so many albums?’ And I’m like, ‘Man, because I love it! I love it so much! I’m having fun, leave me alone.'”

The brand new album follows Speak Now (Taylor's Version) and 1989 (Taylor's Version). When Midnights was announced after Fearless (Taylor's Version) and Red (Taylor's Version), I wondered whether she'd have a two rerecordings, one new album pattern and it looks like that's what we're getting!

How do I presave The Tortured Poets Department?

Image via Taylor Swift's official store/UMG

Before The Tortured Poets Department's release on at midnight on April 19 (we're less than a month away!), go ahead and pre-save it. It'll make streaming the album a little bit easier because when you pre-save, the album will pop up for you as soon as it drops! Go to Taylor Swift's official website and click on the "Pre-add/Pre-save" button. It'll take you to a new page where you can save it on Spotify or Apple Music (depending on which service you use), and you can also pre-order at stores like Target!

How many songs will be on The Tortured Poets Department?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

Taylor Swift dropped The Tortured Poets Department song list February 5, and we already have theories about what each track could reference. IMO, "I Can Do It With A Broken Heart" is totally referencing Taylor Swift's performances of "Lover" following her split from Joe Alwyn (you can see her crying during the set), while there's a good chance "Florida!!!" is referencing her first Tampa concert, which was the first show she performed after the breakup became public knowledge. Taylor Swift's dad Scott Swift recently told fans he's most excited for Swifties to hear the title track and "Florida!!!" Here's the full tracklist for TS11:

  1. Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)
  2. The Tortured Poets Department
  3. My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys
  4. Down Bad
  5. So Long, London
  6. But Daddy I Love Him
  7. Fresh Out the Slammer
  8. Florida!!! (feat. Florence + The Machine)
  9. Guilty as Sin?
  10. Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?
  11. I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)
  12. loml
  13. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart
  14. The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived
  15. The Alchemy
  16. Clara Bow
  17. Bonus Track: The Manuscript
  18. Bonus Track: The Bolter
  19. Bonus Track: The Albatross
  20. Bonus Track: The Black Dog

Will The Tortured Poets Department be explicit?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

There are 7 explicit songs on The Tortured Poets Department: "The Tortured Poets Department," "Down Bad," "But Daddy I Love Him," "Florida!!! (feat. Florence + The Machine)," "loml," "I Can Do It With A Broken Heart," and "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived."

What is the theory of Taylor Swift's double album?

Image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Throughout her stay in Sydney, Australia for the Eras Tour, Taylor Swift has been dropping lots — and I mean lots — of twos. @v_swiftie_ points out that in addition to holding up the number two while announcing The Tortured Poets Department, she's been playing more surprise song mashups than normal, and Taylor Nation has been posting Instagram stories featuring the number 2 instead of the number 13. Suspicious, Tay, very suspicious.

What is The Albatross about?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

During one of her Eras Tour shows in Sydney, Australia, Taylor Swift announced a new version of The Tortured Poets Department featuring exclusive bonus track "The Albatross." This new album already has some crazy track titles — all with pretty noteworthy meanings.

According to Collins Dictionary, if you call someone an Albatross, "they cause you great problems from which you cannot escape, or they prevent you from doing what you want to do," while a Bolter could refer to someone bolting out of a relationship (or bolting from a restaurant to a car like in this viral clip 🤨).

Meanwhile "The Alchemy" refers to the continual process of trying to turn something into gold — remember how Taylor Swift spent 6 years saying her relationship with Joe Alwyn was golden? Buckle up Swifties, TS11 is going to be a wild ride.

What does loml mean?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

At first glance, the twelfth song on The Tortured Poets Department, "loml," means "love of my life." Some fans were wondering if the song was a nod to Harry Styles since his Harry's House finale track is "Love of My Life" (the album also features a track named "Daylight" which is another funny connection to Taylor Swift). But Bonnie & Emily from ChatsAndReacts have got me thinking about the track in a whole new way.

Emily says that while Taylor might sing about the love of her life at the beginning of the song, she also has the potential to switch it up each verse. "Lie of my life" and "loss of my life" are HEART WRENCHING, and totally something Taylor would write.

Will The Tortured Poets Department have any featured artists?

Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Yes, The Tortured Poets Department will feature Florence + The Machine on the song "Florida!!!" and Post Malone on the song "Fortnight." And after Taylor Swift teased a variety of collaborations by posting handwritten lyrics from artists like Harry Styles and Lorde, Swifties are wondering if The Tortured Poets Department will be the "collab album" we never got.

Another clue that leads me to believe this is true is the fact that the title of this album is so much longer than her other titles — and she refers to herself as "Chairman" of the department. Who are all the constituents?! Are they all the same artists who left Scooter Braun's management last year? Only time will tell, because as far as I'm concerned, surprises aren't out of the question until the TS11 era is over!👀

How can I buy The Tortured Poets Department?

Image via Taylor Swift store

You can pre-order a bunch of different versions of The Tortured Poets Department on Taylor Swift's website right now, includingThe Tortured Poets Department CD + Bonus Track "The Manuscript", The Tortured Poets Department CD + Bonus Track "The Manuscript" andThe Tortured Poets Department Cassette + Bonus Track "The Manuscript".

What is a tortured poets department?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

Taylor Swift has spent years talking about her anxiety, her sleepless nights, and her emotions. "My muses, acquired like bruises / My talismans and charms / The tick, tick, tick of love bombs / My veins of pitch black ink," she writes in her official Instagram post. "All's fair in love and poetry." My guess is that The Tortured Poets Department features a bunch of artists who all feel very deeply and have a similar ethereal, larger-than-life approach to their music.

As far as the name, it looks like The Tortured Poets Department could be referencing her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn's group chat name — "The Tortured Man Club" with Paul Mescal (who starred in Normal People while Joe starred Conversations With Friends. Both series are based on Sally Rooney books).

Are you excited for The Tortured Poets Department? What kinds of collabs or songs are you hoping for? Let us know in the comments and check out these Taylor Swift Disney Movie Posters Inspired By Her Songs for more fun content!

Lead image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

After confirming their breakup rumors were, in fact, only rumors, Justin and Hailey Bieber broke the internet on May 9 by announcing they're expecting! The couple has talked about wanting to start a family in the past, and I am so excited for this new chapter in their lives. Check out Hailey Bieber's pregnancy announcement — and the photos — below!

www.instagram.com

On May 9, the couple separately uploaded nearly identical Instagram posts of what looks like a vow renewal ceremony. In the photos, which overlook the mountains and feature a super cute rope swing, Hailey can be seen cradling her baby bump while wearing the most beautiful white lacy gown.

Hailey Bieber once promised GQ Hype that when she did get pregnant, the internet would be the last to know. "I want kids so bad but I get scared," Hailey Bieber also told The Sunday Times. "It's enough that people say things about my husband or my friends. I can't imagine having to confront people saying things about a child."

Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

TBH, Hailey Bieber's pregnancy just proves how in love Justin and Hailey are!! "words could never truly describe the beauty of who you are," Hailey captioned an Instagram post for Justin's 30th birthday. "love of my life, for life."

"YOU MAKE LIFE MAGIC," Justin Bieber said in his own Instagram caption. "OBSESSED WITH EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU. LOVE YOU BUM BUM."

I literally cannot get enough of this couple, and I can't wait to see what their growing family looks like over the next couple of years. Stay tuned for a gender and baby name reveal (should they choose to share) — this is going to be one cute kid!

Check back here for the latest news on Hailey Bieber's pregnancy!

Lead image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

While it's always nice to see something realistic represented in our favorite TV shows, there are few things more painful than watching a TV breakup (especially when it reminds you of your own, oops!). Even when we don't actually know fictional characters IRL, it's absolutely devastating to see them break each other's hearts. (Although, I'll admit it's equally as bad as never seeing your favorite prospective couple get together — I'll never, ever forgive The 100 for what they did to Clarke and Bellamy!!).

Keep reading to see some of our most heartbreaking splits in recent television history — and then check outWhat Being Team Conrad Or Jeremiah Says About Your Dream TV Boyfriendto put a smile back on your face.

Brit + Co's Picks For The Worst TV Breakups

Image via The CW/WB

Rory and Jess from Gilmore Girls

This is one of my personal worst TV breakups because it seems like, out of all of Rory's boyfriends, Rory and Jess are going to stay together forever when they start dating. Not only does their love of books bring them closer together, but their personalities are so compatible — they're perfect for each other, IMO! But when Jess leaves for California at the end of season 3 (without saying anything to Rory, I might add) is unacceptable! They see each other a few more times over the course of the show, but it's never the same. This ending breaks my heart, and based on the final look he gives Rory during A Year in the Life, he also regrets it BIG TIME.

Image via NBC

Ross and Rachel from Friends

Friends is one of the most iconic sitcoms of all times, and Ross and Rachel is definitely one of the worst TV breakups. In season 3, this iconic couple decides to take a break, and in "The One with the Morning After," Ross wakes up with another woman named Chloe at the exact moment Rachel shows up at his door to get back together. Rachel finds out about the affair, and after a fight in Monica's living room, the couple calls it quits.

Regardless of how you feel about Ross using every opportunity to point out they "were on a break" when he slept with Chloe, seeing Rachel's reaction (and knowing the trust between them was broken) is one of the worst moments in the whole show. Just thinking about it makes my stomach bottom out!

Image via The CW/WB

Damon and Elena from The Vampire Diaries

This Vampire Diaries couple was truly endgame, and I can't lie: The will-they-won't-they of it all was one of my favorite things about the show. So when they broke up (to my horror), I was devastated.

Damon and Elena admit they're bad for each other in the season 5 episode "While You Were Sleeping" (then Damon tells her he doesn't even want to be friends. Ouch!!), but it's the season finale, "Home," that makes me extra emotional. When Damon gets stuck with Bonnie on the Other Side, he says goodbye to Elena, who's begging him not to leave but can neither see nor hear him. Say it with me: gut! wrenching!

Image via Erika Doss/Prime Video

Conrad and Belly from The Summer I Turned Pretty

The Summer I Turned Pretty fans are PASSIONATE about whether they're team Conrad or team Jeremiah (trick question, my OTP is Taylor and Stephen), and even the most dedicated Conrad stan hates the prom scene. You know, when he breaks up with Belly at her prom, in the rain. I know he just thinks Belly deserves better, but it's still very painful to watch. (Not quite as painful as him realizing Belly didn't know he loved her in episode 6).

Image via BBC/Prime Video

Fleabag and The Priest on Fleabag

In the history of TV, I don't think I've ever heard anything as heartbreaking as "I love you," "It'll pass." Like, who approved that line?! The viral moment comes at the end of the Fleabag series finale, when Fleabag is sitting with The Priest at the bus stop. Over the course of the series, we not only see how much these two care about each other, but how well they know each other (like how The Priest recognizes when Fleabag zones out). To be loved is to be known, and that's what makes this devastating TV breakup even more devastating.

Image via FOX

Schmidt and Cece from New Girl

When I hear "worst TV breakup" I IMMEDIATELY think of Schmidt and Cece from New Girl. Schmidt gets away with a lot of ridiculous things throughout this show, but dating two girls at one time is not one of them (nor should it be). After Nick has a hard time keeping Schmidt's love life secret, Schmidt finally comes clean to Cece in "Double Date," leaving both her and me in tears. No matter how many times you rewatch the show, it truly feels like their relationship (and maybe even the friend group) will never recover.

Image via HBO

Carrie and Aidan on Sex and the City

After so much back and forth, it's hard to accept Carrie and Aidan's final breakup on SATC. But in season 4's "Change of a Dress," Carrie realizes she's not ready for marriage and Aidan realizes he doesn't trust her after her affair with Big. The combo of broken trust and being at two different life stages makes this extra painful to watch, and I don't think any amount of rewatches (or And Just Like That binges) is going to change that.

What's YOUR worst TV breakup? Let us know on Facebook!

Lead image via Prime Video

This post has been updated.