See what was baking in everyday kitchens from the 1900s on.
The Most Popular Bread Recipe from Every Decade
Updated on Apr. 02, 2021
1/12
1900s: White Bread
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 loaves (16 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
The dawn of the 20th century saw the invention of white bread, thanks to the introduction of bleached white flour. Bleached flour also helped promote the widespread production of white bread, because it made the dough easier for machines to work. See the most popular sandwich in the 1900s.
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 125 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
2/12
1910s: Brown Bread
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 loaves (16 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
During World War I, Americans were called upon to sacrifice their wheat flour so it could be sent to the troops. Substitutes like rye, oats, potato, barley, buckwheat and rice flour became commonplace in the wartime kitchen. Homemakers would bake up a batch of old-fashioned brown bread instead of white bread to help the boys on the front line.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 124 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 170mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
3/12
Home-Style Yeast Bread
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 loaves (16 slices each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone likes the tender texture and slightly sweet taste of this homemade bread. When I'm in the mood to bake, I usually double the recipe and share loaves with friends. The dough also makes lovely rolls.
-Launa Shoemaker, Landrum, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 118 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 135mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
4/12
Homemade Bread Recipe
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 loaves (16 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
If you'd like to learn how to bake bread, here's a wonderful place to start. This easy white bread bakes up deliciously golden brown. There's nothing like the homemade aroma wafting through my kitchen as it bakes. —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 102 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 222mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
5/12
Caramel-Pecan Monkey Bread
Total Time
50 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The kids will get a kick out of pulling off gooey pieces of this delectable monkey bread. It's hard to resist a caramel-coated treat. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces: 334 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 207mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
6/12
1950s: French Bread
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 loaves (12 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Crusty delicious French bread became the must-have loaf of this decade. It was an essential part of the dinner spread when entertaining. Find more vintage recipes from the ’50s.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 97 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 198mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
1960s: Flowerpot Bread
The craze of baking bread in clay flowerpots was the way to go in the 1960s. Airy and light, these charming rolls were the height of popularity in the latter part of the decade. You’d have to season that flowerpot, though, so we’d recommend making rolls in a cast-iron skillet instead.
7/12
8/12
9/12
Ciabatta Bread
Total Time
35 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This bread is Italy’s take on the French baguette. It was first produced in 1982 by a baker who wanted an Italian bread that would work for making sandwiches. The recipe spread to the United States, and by the late ’80s, ciabatta bread sandwiches and apps could be found in dining rooms and delis across the US. Learn how to make ciabatta bread, step by step.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 200 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 258mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
10/12
1990s: European Bread
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The ’90s saw American bread lovers turn to our European cousins. Italian focaccia and handmade French baguettes (following Julia Child’s recipe) became mainstays on many a dinner table.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 249 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 623mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.
11/12
Crusty Bread
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
1 loaf (16 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator:
Crackling homemade bread makes an average day extraordinary. Enjoy this beautiful crusty bread recipe as is, or stir in a few favorites like cheese, garlic, herbs and dried fruits. —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece (calculated without add-ins): 105 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 296mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
12/12
Old-World Rye Bread
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
2 loaves (12 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Rye and caraway give this bread wonderful flavor, while the surprise ingredient of baking cocoa adds to the rich, dark color. I sometimes stir in a cup each of raisins and walnuts. —Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 146 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 229mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
