As the days grow shorter and the holiday season picks up, simple pleasures like fresh baked bread, become something we crave in our household. Between family gatherings, decorating, and everything in between, slowing down to enjoy the simple pleasures of something as basic as bread can be a real gift to ourselves. That’s why we’re sharing two of our family’s favorite bread recipes—each perfect for the busy holiday schedule, and both delivering delicious, warm loaves with minimal stress.
These recipes are a great reminder that sometimes the simplest things can make the biggest impact. Whether you’re looking for a quick homemade bread to pair with a weeknight dinner or a hands-off dough to leave rising while you sleep, these options have you covered. Let’s also not overlook the cost savings of baking your own bread, as well as the advantages of knowing exactly what is (and isn’t) in your food. Two more reasons to add these recipes into your repertoire.
Recipe #1: Dutch Oven No-Knead Bread
Imagine waking up to the scent of fresh dough ready for the oven. This recipe requires only 10 minutes of hands-on time—just enough to mix the ingredients before setting it aside. Then, the dough does all the work, resting on your counter for about 10 hours. It’s perfect for prepping at bedtime to bake in the morning; or even mixing before you leave for work to bake for dinner. Let the slow fermentation add a depth of flavor that store-bought loaves just can’t match. Add it to a holiday table or savor it with jam and tea for a quiet breakfast.
3 cups all purpose flour
1.5 tsp salt
.5 tsp dry yeast
1.5 cups water
Mix all the ingredients (doesn’t matter the order or the temperatures) in a bowl until well blended and then cover with plastic wrap. Set on the counter for 10-12 hours. It should be all bubbly at the end of its rest period. Plop it onto a heavily floured board and form it into a ball. Preheat your Dutch oven in your oven while it’s pre-heating to 450 degrees. Once the oven reaches temperature, carefully drop the dough into the Dutch oven. Cook for 30 minutes with the lid on and another 15 minutes without the lid until it’s a nice golden brown. Remove from the Dutch oven and cool on a rack to keep the crust crisp.
Recipe #2: Quick and Delicious Cuban Bread
For those nights when you want fresh bread with dinner but don’t want to commit hours, Cuban Bread is the solution. This recipe, originally shared by Amy Dacyczyn in The Tightwad Gazette, takes about 15 minutes of active preparation. With another 15 minutes of rising time and 45 minutes in the oven, it’s ready faster than most bread machines! This two-loaf recipe is excellent for elevating a humble meal like soup or baked beans, and it’s flexible enough to be baked just as you start prepping dinner. By the time your meal is ready, so is the bread—a quick fix that makes any meal feel a bit more special. We’ve been enjoying this recipe in our household since the early 1990’s.
5-6 cups all purpose flour (you can substitute wheat for some or all)
2 Tbsp dry yeast
2 Tbsp sugar
2 cups hot water (120-130 degrees)
1 Tbsp sesame or poppy seeds
Mix 4 cups of flour with the yeast, salt and sugar. Pour in the hot water and beat 100 strokes or 3 minutes in mixer. Stir in remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time until dough is no longer sticky. (I find I usually have 1/2 cup left over which I then use to flour my bread board for kneading.) Knead for 8 minutes by hand or in a processor until smooth. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover and let rise on the counter for 15 minutes. Punch down, divide and shape into 2 round loaves. Place on a baking sheet. Brush with water and sprinkle with seeds. Place on middle shelf of a COLD oven. Fill a baking tray with boiling water and place on lowest shelf. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake 40-50 minutes until a deep golden brown. Cool on a rack to keep the crust nice and crisp.
Both of these recipes prove that homemade bread can be quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying. I’m sure there’s a place for sourdough, but I just haven’t found it yet! Something about having to care for the starter, or plan way ahead of time for when I’m going to actually be able to bake the bread. In contrast, these recipes fill our bellies with warm, fresh baked bread and are simple, timely, cost effective and delicious! Let us know if you try either of these recipes…
From our family to yours – Happy baking!
