Sweet Bread is so incredibly easy to make and only takes 5 minutes hands on time. This easy Sweet Bread recipe requires only staple ingredients: sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk and vegetable oil! It’s easy quick bread recipe for breakfast, snack or dessert that also makes a beautiful neighbor, hostess or holiday gift!
Sweet Bread is a quick and easy no yeast bread recipe. It is made with just staple ingredients – in minutes! It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, snacks and dessert. There are so many variations you can make with this classic recipe including Cinnamon Sweet Bread and Orange Sweet Bread, which are traditional around Christmas.
I often make it when we’re having last minute guests for a playdate or as a quick hostess gift. You can adapt this simple sweet bread recipe with your favorite fruits, but it’s perfection on it’s own as well. I love to slather a little butter on it for good measure.
This time of year, Michael’s offers miniature ceramic loaf pans for just $1. I always stock up on them in white to use throughout the year. They are more durable than paper loaf pans and make a beautiful gift.
This recipe yields 6 pretty little loaves, if you’re willing to share or 2 large loaves!
Sweet Bread Ingredients
- Sugar – White granulated sugar makes this bread delightfully sweet. Optional: sprinkle sugar over the loaf just before baking for a shimmery finish.
- Flour – All purpose flour is the foundation of this bread.
- Baking Powder – Leavens quick bread, without the fuss! It ensures a nice even rise.
- Salt – A hint of salt brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Eggs – The binding agent.
- Milk – Milk creates a nice soft loaf. In addition, milk adds flavor to quick breads and gives it a beautiful brown color due to caramelization of milk and sugars!
- Vegetable Oil – Vegetable oil makes the bread incredibly moist, with a light and delicate crumb. You can substitute with canola oil or melted butter in a pinch.
How to Make Sweet Bread
- Combine dry ingredients.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine wet ingredients.
- Incorporate dry mixture into wet mixture until just combined and pour into greased loaf pans.
- Sprinkle sugar on top to make your Sweet Bread glisten and bake! It’s SO easy!
Tips
Baking Alternatives
- Large Loaves – Don’t want 6 miniature loaves? You can also make this Sweet Bread recipe in 2 – 1 pound loaf pans or cut the recipe in half for just 1 loaf pan and bake 50 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test.
- Make Muffins – If you prefer to make them into muffins, just grease miniature muffin tins and fill each to 2/3 full. Bake 12 minutes.
- Make it Ornate – Alternatively, you can also bake it in an ornate loaf pan with the same minimal effort!
Variations
- Add a Glaze – This bread is amazing on it’s own, but you can also cover sweet bread with Glaze (or drizzle if you show any restraint). Cream Cheese Glaze, Orange Glaze Recipe or Lemon Glaze are some of our favorites! Because it makes 6 miniature loaves, you can try them all! Seriously, soooo good! Through the years we’ve made it in a variety of ways. I tend to make it as written in the recipe card below for breakfast, brunch or to serve with dinner and add a little glaze to leftovers for dessert.
- Add Fruits – Fresh or dried! Apples, cranberries, strawberries, oranges, the options are endless!
- Add Nuts – Walnuts, pecans or even candied nuts are a delicious addition.
- Brown Sugar – Make it with brown sugar (see my Brown Sugar Bread recipe) for richer flavor.
- Add Chocolate Chips
- Experiment with Extracts – Add an extract like vanilla, lemon or almond
How to Store Bread
- Room Temperature – Store quick bread in a sealed plastic bag or covered in saran wrap at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerate – Up to 1 week in an airtight container.
- Freeze – Wrap them tightly in heavy foil, saran wrap or place them in freezer bags (I like to do at least 2 to prevent freezer odors from seeping in), and freeze for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature to serve.
If you try this recipe, please come back to share using my 5 star rating in the comments below! Not only do I appreciate it, but I know readers do, too!
Are you on the list? Subscribers receive access to my free printable library that includes “Wishing you a sweet Christmas” gift tags. Get your free copy the ebook 10 Sweet Bread Recipes as well!
I hope this sweet bread recipe makes your holiday entertaining and gifting a little easier. You can find all of my bread recipes here, including beer bread (which I highly recommend smothering with honey butter).
More Easy Quick Bread Recipes
Sweet Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Grease 6 mini loaf pans and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine sugar, flour, baking powder and salt.
- Beat eggs, milk and oil.
- Gradually add dry mixture to wet until just moist.
- Pour batter into pans an inch below to compensate for rise. Optional: sprinkle sugar on top.
- Bake 40 minutes.
Tips
Substitutions
- Vegetable Oil – Vegetable oil makes the bread incredibly moist, with a light and delicate crumb. You can substitute with canola oil or melted butter in a pinch.
Baking Alternatives
- Large Loaves – Don’t want 6 miniature loaves? You can also make this Sweet Bread recipe in 2 – 1 pound loaf pans or cut the recipe in half for just 1 loaf pan and bake 50 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test.
- Make Muffins – If you prefer to make them into muffins, just grease miniature muffin tins and fill each to 2/3 full. Bake 12 minutes.
- Make it Ornate – Alternatively, you can also bake it in an ornate loaf pan with the same minimal effort!
Variations
- Add a Glaze – This bread is amazing on it’s own, but you can also cover sweet bread with Glaze (or drizzle if you show any restraint). Cream Cheese Glaze, Orange Glaze Recipe or Lemon Glaze are some of our favorites! Because it makes 6 miniature loaves, you can try them all! Seriously, soooo good! Through the years we’ve made it in a variety of ways. I tend to make it as written in the recipe card below for breakfast, brunch or to serve with dinner and add a little glaze to leftovers for dessert.
- Add Fruits – Fresh or dried! Apples, cranberries, strawberries, oranges, the options are endless!
- Add Nuts – Walnuts, pecans or even candied nuts are a delicious addition.
- Brown Sugar – Make it with brown sugar (see my Brown Sugar Bread recipe) for richer flavor.
- Add Chocolate Chips
- Experiment with Extracts – Add an extract like vanilla, lemon or almond
To Store
- Room Temperature – Store quick bread in a sealed plastic bag or covered in saran wrap at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerate – Up to 1 week in an airtight container.
- Freeze – Wrap them tightly in heavy foil, saran wrap or place them in freezer bags (I like to do at least 2 to prevent freezer odors from seeping in), and freeze for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature to serve.
Video
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Please tell me what kind of flour to use.
All purpose. Enjoy!
This loaf was one of the best recipes I ever made. It was Soo simple yet tasted amazing. I made a simple glaze and it came out great. I also like how it browned a little on the top.
Hi Nene,
Thanks so much for your kind words and review!
Hope you have a wonderful 2023,
Julie
Wonderful recipe
So like how long to bake and at what temp? Duh, off to another recipe I guess.
Hello,
All the ingredients and step by step instructions are listed in the free printable recipe card at the end of the post.
Have a great weekend,
Julie
Hello my name is violet and it’s the best and yummy bread ever thank you very much ❤️ God Bless You
Hi Violet, I’m so glad you enjoyed, thank you so much. I hope you continue trying out my recipes!
Hi,
If I don’t have mini loaf pans, would the full amount of batter fit into a regular 9×5 loaf pan?
Thanks.
Of course, just bake it 5-10 minutes longer. Enjoy!
I just baked this in a 9×5 inch loaf pan and it overflowed. Do not put it in a 9×5!
It states in Baking Alternatives , makes 2 loaves. If you’re not making the mini loaves.
How much or can you sub sour cream for the milk?
I haven’t tested it, but please report if you do!
I love those napkins. Where are they from? Thanks… lovely cake!!!
Thank you! They’re from Pottery Barn.
I have not been able to find the ceramic pans for less than $5.00. They are not available at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. Any suggestions?
What size are your pans – in inches?
Thanks
They’re usually in holiday at Michael’s on end caps. List price is $1.99 and they’re 50% off. I actually just picked up a few more yesterday. Maybe call?
Thank you for your reply. I double checked Michael’s online and they do list them under holiday, available in stores only. There is not a store close but a drive may be worth the effort.
Diane
Oh no! Maybe someone who will be in the area can shop for you 😉 I hope you enjoy a beautiful holiday season, Diane!
They just had some of these at Michaels for 89 cents! Not sure how long the sale was/is!
Even better! Thanks for sharing!
So quick to prepare and delicious. I used 2 large loaf pans and served one with strawberries and a bit of whipped cream.
The Dollar Tree…Dollar Store…..etc
Thanks, Paula!
I am new to your blog and love it! How long do you bake the 6 mini loaves for the sweet bread?
Welcome! It’s nice to have you! 40 minutes, enjoy!