Home Kitchen Test Kitchen Tips

Is Your Bread Done? This Is the Correct Internal Temp for Perfect Bread.

Taste of Home

Baking bread? Internal temperature is the best way to tell if your loaf is really done. Our Test Kitchen explains how to temp properly and when you can safely pull it out of the oven.

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Baking bread is a labor of love. You mix, knead, wait on the proof, punch down and proof again. It’s a lot of work before your loaf even hits the oven. Baking bread is the last hurdle, and for new bakers, it can be challenging to get just the right bake. Bake too long and the bread is burnt tasting, but if you go under, you’ve got an underbaked, sticky mess inside. The best way to avoid the over- or underbaked bread: internal temperature checks.

How to Tell When Bread Is Done

Maggie Knoebel, culinary assistant in the Taste of Home Test Kitchen, explains that the best way to tell if your bread is done by checking the internal temperature of the bread. She recommends a quick-read thermometer for an accurate gauge. As for the number you’re looking for, Maggie says anywhere between 160 and 185ºF.

“That’s when gluten starts to coagulate,” she explains. That means the bread is firming up inside and is no longer raw.

But Do You Really Need a Thermometer?

Now, you might think that you can gauge if your bread is done by appearance, but Maggie warns that looks can be deceiving, particularly with large loaves, breads made with wheat or rye flours, loaves that are egg-washed or even breads that use chocolate like this babka.

“With a big crusty bread or ones with darker dough like pumpernickel, it can be hard to tell what’s going on inside,” Maggie says. “Don’t go by sight!”

Instead, Maggie recommends sticking a quick-read thermometer into the center of the loaf (this is Maggie’s go-to thermometer).

When Should You Check Bread’s Internal Temperature?

Since you want to be mindful not to overbake your bread, Maggie recommends checking the temperature early.

“Test your bread a few minutes before the low end of the time range in the recipe,” she says. So if your loaf should be done in 35 to 40 minutes, start testing around the 30-minute mark, just to be cautious.

What About Rolls?

The only exception to this rule would be small rolls and flatter breads—think naan or focaccia. Maggie says that you can typically go by sight and touch with these varieties. These types of bread are done when they are golden brown and when you press the top of them, they spring back (kind of like with cake).

With a good thermometer and a few good recipes, you’ll be set to make perfect bread!

Try These Delicious Bread Recipes

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40-Minute Hamburger Buns

Here on our ranch, I cook for three men who love burgers. These fluffy hamburger buns are just right for their big appetites. I also serve this homemade burger buns recipe plain with a meal. —Jessie McKenney, Twodot, Montana Get Recipe

Oat Dinner Rolls

Oat Dinner Rolls

These soft rolls are out of this world. The addition of oat makes them a little heartier than other dinner rolls. —Patricia Rutherford, Winchester, Illinois

Sour Cream Chive Bread

Sour Cream Chive Bread

This savory loaf mildly flavored with chives is delicious when served warm with a meal, soup, salad or stew. It also tastes wonderful toasted the next day for breakfast. —Deborah Plank, West Salem, Ohio

Best Dinner Rolls

Best Dinner Rolls

These are the best dinner rolls around. If you can't decide which enticing topping to use, just make them all.—Christina Pittman, Parkville, Missouri

Easy Onion Crescent Rolls

Easy Onion Crescent Rolls

Here's a deliciously easy way to dress up a tube of crescent roll dough. These golden bites are one of our favorite recipes—and they're a nice addition to any buffet. We like them so much, I usually triple the recipe. —Barbara Nowakowski, North Tonawanda, New York

Garlic Bubble Loaf

Garlic Bubble Loaf

I tweaked my friend's family recipe for pull-apart rolls, and here's the result. This homemade garlic bread loaf is a must for your next pasta night, when everyone will have fun pulling off each rich and buttery piece. —Lynn Nichols, Bartlett, Nebraska

Grandma's Rosemary Dinner Rolls

Grandma's Rosemary Dinner Rolls

My grandma (I called her Baba) made these in her coal oven. How she regulated the temperature is beyond me! She always made extra rolls for the neighbors to bake in their own ovens. At lunchtime, my mom and aunts delivered the formed rolls. —Charlotte Hendershot, Hudson, Pennsylvania

Onion French Bread Loaves

Onion French Bread Loaves

Since I love variety in my cooking, I tried adding dried minced onion to my usual recipe in attempts to copy a bread I had tasted, creating these two tasty loaves. Using the bread machine on the dough setting is a great timesaver. —Ruth Fueller, Barmstedt, Germany

Best-Ever Crescent Rolls

Best-Ever Crescent Rolls

My daughter and I have cranked out dozens of homemade crescent rolls. It’s a real team effort. I cut the dough into pie-shaped wedges; she rolls. —Irene Yeh, Mequon, Wisconsin

Wholesome Wheat Bread

Wholesome Wheat Bread

My sister and I were in 4-H, and Mom was our breads project leader for years. Because of that early training, fresh homemade bread like this is a staple in my own kitchen. -Karen Wingate, Coldwater, Kansas

Dilly Rolls

These versatile rolls are so welcome served warm alongside any dinner. I always make a big batch since my family enjoys them after they're cool, too, stuffed with a filling like egg salad or ham salad. —Mary Bickel, Terre Haute, Indiana

Arizona Cornbread

Arizona Cornbread

Unlike other cornbreads, this one uses yeast. With oil and sour cream, this moist, tender loaf has a bit of zip to it from the peppers. —Margaret Pache, Mesa, Arizona

Whole Wheat Potato Rolls

Whole Wheat Potato Rolls

My cousin’s classic-with-a-twist recipe is truly delish. Extra rolls freeze well. — Devon Vickers, Goddard, Kansas

Swiss Cheese Bread

Swiss Cheese Bread

This bread will receive rave reviews, whether you serve it as an appetizer or with a meal. For real convenience, you can make it ahead of time and freeze it! —Karla Boice, Mahtomedi, Minnesota

Icebox Rolls

I remember my mom making these rolls almost every Saturday so they'd be ready to bake on Sunday for company or someone just dropping by. Although they take a little time to prepare, they're really not all that difficult to make. And there's nothing in the stores that can compare to them! —Jean Fox, Welch, Minnesota

Golden Crescents

Golden Crescents

My family loves these rolls so much they request them for every Sunday dinner. Pulling their share of these slightly sweet, tender rolls from out of the basket, my grandchildren look at me and say, "Grandma, you are the world's best cook." -Bertha Johnson, Indianapolis, Indiana

Potato Pan Rolls

Potato Pan Rolls

My family loves these rolls and requests them often. They don't take long to make because you use quick-rise yeast. —Connie Storckman, Evanston, Wyoming

Vegetable & Cheese Focaccia

Vegetable & Cheese Focaccia

My family eats this flavorful bread as fast as I can make it. Sometimes I add different herbs, red onion or crumbled bacon. It's one of my best recipes! —Mary Cass, Baltimore, Maryland

Italian Pinwheel Rolls

Italian Pinwheel Rolls

An enticing combination of Parmesan cheese, oregano and garlic makes these buttery rolls impossible to resist. The aroma that wafts through the house while they are baking is incredible. —Patricia FitzGerald, Candor, New York

Amish Potato Bread

Amish Potato Bread

Sue Violette, of Neillsville, Wisconsin says, “A tasty mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour, plus a small amount of mashed potatoes, give this golden bread its wonderful texture. The loaf is very moist and stays that way even days after making it.” —Sue Violette, Neillsville, Wisconsin

Best Ever Breadsticks

Best Ever Breadsticks

Present these delicious breadsticks alongside an Italian favorite like lasagna or spaghetti. They're an attractive and edible addition to the table setting! —Carol Wolfer, Lebanon, Oregon

Flaky Butterhorn Rolls

Flaky Butterhorn Rolls

This dinner roll, slightly sweet and so very flaky, was my mother’s recipe. It’s simple to prepare because you don’t need to have any kneading skills, and the dough is easy to handle. My grandchildren have renamed them Grandma’s Croissants! —Bernice Smith, Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota

Honey-Squash Dinner Rolls

Honey-Squash Dinner Rolls

These puffy dinner rolls take on rich color when you add squash to the dough. Any squash variety works. I've even used cooked carrots. —Marcia Whitney, Gainesville, Florida

Yogurt Yeast Rolls

Yogurt Yeast Rolls

People tend to snap up these fluffy, golden rolls, in a hurry whenever I take them to a potluck. It's a nice contribution since rolls are easy to transport, and one batch goes a long way. — Carol Forcum, Marion, Illinois

Rosemary Orange Bread

Rosemary Orange Bread

Meet the Cook: Of all the herbs, rosemary is my favorite. This bread goes great with a roast, chicken or pasta with red sauce. It's especially festive to serve at holiday time. My husband and I have three young children - ages 6, 3 and 1. -Deidre Fallavollita, Vienna, Virginia

Herbed Bread Twists

Herbed Bread Twists

A blend of herbs and a special shape dress up ordinary frozen bread dough in my unbelievably easy recipe. —Deb Stapert, Comstock Park, Michigan

Cornmeal Parker House Rolls

Cornmeal Parker House Rolls

My mom deserves the credit for making this recipe a family tradition. These sweet tender rolls have been on every holiday table at her house for as long as I can remember. —Lisa D. Brenner, Harrisburg, Nebraska

Cheddar Loaves

Swirls of cheddar cheese give these loaves an exquisite flavor. Try a slice or two for sandwiches, toasted for breakfast or served on the side with a Caesar salad —Agnes Ward Stratford, Ontario

Rosemary Flatbreads

Rosemary Flatbreads

My family loves this as a pizza crust. But with a touch of olive oil and fresh herbs it makes a lovely flatbread appetizer. —Sue Brown, West Bend, Wisconsin

Cheddar Pan Rolls

Cheddar Pan Rolls

Thanks to the cheesy dough, these rich cheddar rolls have a gorgeous golden color and fabulous flavor. —Esther Current, Kitchener, Ontario

Onion & Garlic Rolls

Onion & Garlic Rolls

I wanted something different from garlic toast, so I made a dough with garlic and onions. The next thing I knew, I’d created an amazing dinner roll. —Brenda Caughell, Durham, North Carolina

Oatmeal Dinner Rolls

Oatmeal Dinner Rolls

These fluffy rolls go perfectly with any meal. They have a delicious homemade flavor that's irresistible. I like them because they're not hard to make and they bake up nice and high. —Patricia Staudt, Marble Rock, Iowa

Asiago Dinner Rolls

Asiago Dinner Rolls

I first tasted these rolls when my boyfriend made them from a family recipe that called for Parmesan. I substituted Asiago for the Parmesan with equally good results. —Bethany Shaw, Mokena, Illinois

Sesame French Bread

Sesame French Bread

Homemade French bread isn’t at all difficult to make, and it’s perfect alongside Italian foods. If you’re not serving a large group, freeze one loaf to enjoy later. —Peggy Van Arsdale, Trenton, New Jersey

Butternut Squash Rolls

Butternut Squash Rolls

With their cheery yellow color and delicious aroma, these appealing buns will brighten your buffet table. Plus, I've found this recipe is a great way to use up squash from the garden. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

Country White Bread

Country White Bread

Anytime is the right time for a comforting slice of homemade bread. These loaves are especially nice since the crust stays so tender. This white bread recipe is my husband Nick's favorite. He makes most of the bread at our house. —Joanne Shew Chuk, St. Benedict, Saskatchewan

Soft Buttermilk Dinner Rolls

Soft Buttermilk Dinner Rolls

Warm, buttery dinner rolls are absolutely irresistible. I save time and use a stand mixer to make my dough. —Jennifer Patterson, Shoshone, Idaho

Whole Wheat French Bread

Whole Wheat French Bread

The first time I made this recipe my husband asked it if was homemade or store-bought. When he reached for a second piece, I knew I had a winning recipe. —Roseann Loker, Colon, Michigan

Golden Honey Pan Rolls

Golden Honey Pan Rolls

A cousin in North Carolina gave me the recipe for these delicious honey-glazed rolls. Using my bread machine to make the dough saves me about 2 hours compared to the traditional method. The rich buttery taste of these rolls is so popular with family and friends that I usually make two batches so I have enough! —Sara Wing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Make-Ahead Butterhorns

Make-Ahead Butterhorns

Mom loved to make these lightly sweet, golden rolls. They're beautiful and impressive and have a homemade taste that makes them memorable. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

Sour Cream Fan Rolls

Sour Cream Fan Rolls

I received this recipe from an email pen pal in Canada. The dough is so easy to work with, and it makes the lightest yeast rolls. I haven't used another white bread recipe since I started making this one. -Carrie Ormsby, West Jordan, Utah

Sesame Wheat Braids

Sesame Wheat Braids

When I started making this bread, my husband and our six children liked it so much I was baking every day. I was thrilled when the judges at our county fair gave these braids a blue ribbon and best of show award! —Nancy Montgomery, Hartville, Ohio

Overnight Rolls

Overnight Rolls

I'm pleased to share the recipe for these light and tender rolls, which I've made for 25 years. I once served them to a woman who'd been in the restaurant business for half a century. She said they were the best rolls she'd ever tasted.

Herbed Bubble Bread

Herbed Bubble Bread

"It takes just five ingredients to dress up a package of frozen rolls to make this buttery, crusty loaf," says Anita Whorton of Powder Springs, Georgia.

Crescent Dinner Rolls

Crescent Dinner Rolls

These light, golden rolls have a heavenly homemade flavor and aroma. Mom never hesitates to whip up a batch of these from-scratch rolls, since they're a delightful way to round out a meal. —Debra Falkiner, St. Charles, Missouri

Home-Style Yeast Bread

Home-Style Yeast Bread

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

Easy Batter Rolls

Easy Batter Rolls

The first thing my guests ask when they come for dinner is if I'm serving these dinner rolls. The buns are so light, airy and delicious—and help make the meal. —Thomasina Brunner, Gloversville, New York

Icebox Butterhorns

Icebox Butterhorns

These beautiful golden rolls just melt in your mouth! People will be impressed when these appear on your table. —Judy Clark, Elkhart, Indiana

Buttery Bubble Bread

Buttery Bubble Bread

Homemade bread can be time-consuming, difficult and tricky to make. But this fun-to-eat monkey bread, baked in a fluted tube pan, is easy and almost foolproof. If I'm serving it for breakfast, I add some cinnamon and drizzle it with icing. —Pat Stevens, Granbury, Texas

Oatmeal Rolls

Most people tell me what they like best about these rolls is they're so moist. I like them because they're simple to make, freeze well and because I grew up on oatmeal and still love it! —Jeanette Fuehring, Concordia, Missouri

Italian Snack Bread

Italian Snack Bread

I've served this snack bread alongside spaghetti, as an appetizer and as a main dish. Because it stays so tender, I often bake it a day before. —Joan Nowacki, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Easy Potato Rolls

Easy Potato Rolls

After I discovered this recipe, it became a mainstay for me. I make the dough ahead of time when company is coming, and I try to keep some in the refrigerator to bake for our ranch hands. Leftover mashed potatoes are almost sure to go into these rolls. —Jeanette McKinney, Belleview, Missouri

Flavorful Herb Bread

Flavorful Herb Bread

This bread is one of my favorites. It has a wonderful texture and slices beautifully, and the flavor of the herbs really comes through. —Gerri Hamilton, Kingsville, Ontario

Parmesan Garlic Breadsticks

Parmesan Garlic Breadsticks

These tender breadsticks fill the kitchen with a tempting aroma when they are baking, and they're wonderful served warm. My family tells me I can't make them too often.

Garlic Herb Bubble Loaf

Garlic Herb Bubble Loaf

I adapted an old sour cream bread recipe for this deliciously different pull-apart loaf that smells heavenly while baking. It has a light crust, tender interior and lots of herb and butter flavor. We think it's wonderful with a hot bowl of potato soup. —Katie Crill, Priest River, Idaho

English Batter Buns

English Batter Buns

Since receiving this easy-to-prepare recipe from a dear friend, I've made these rolls often for the holidays. —Geraldine West, Ogden, Utah

Crusty Homemade Bread

Crusty Homemade Bread

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

Perfect Dinner Rolls

Perfect Dinner Rolls

These rolls melt in your mouth. I loved them as a child, and I'm happy to make them for my kids because I know I am creating those same wonderful memories my mom made for me! —Gayleen Grote, Battle View, North Dakota

Butter and Herb Loaf

Butter and Herb Loaf

This is one of my family's favorite bread recipes. They love it with a warm bowl of soup during autumn.— Lillian Hatcher, Plainfield, Illinois

French Loaves

My kids love to help me make this delicious bread recipe. It's quite easy, and they enjoy the fact that they can be eating fresh bread in less than two hours! —Denise Boutin, Grand Isle, Vermont

Mother's Rolls

These golden cloverleaf dinner rolls were one of my mother's specialties. We always looked forward to them on holidays and special occasions. —Patricia Baxter, Great Bend, Kansas

Cheese Batter Bread

Cheese Batter Bread

Hearty breads are very much a part of our Midwest heritage. This bread has a unique flavor and is a family favorite.

Chive Pinwheel Rolls

Chive Pinwheel Rolls

These light, pleasant-tasting rolls complement almost any entree. With the chive filling swirled through the golden bread, they're attractive enough for special occasions. -Ann Niemela, Ely, Minnesota

Blue-Ribbon Herb Rolls

Blue-Ribbon Herb Rolls

These rolls have been a favorite of ours for nearly 25 years. I even baked them in an old wood stove when we lived on a farm. I developed the recipe using several techniques I learned while studying the art of bread making. The recipe won a blue ribbon at our county fair. —Mary Ann Evans, Tarpon Springs, Florida

Old-World Rye Bread

Old-World Rye Bread

Rye and caraway lend to this bread's wonderful flavor, while the surprise ingredient of baking cocoa gives it a rich, dark color. I sometimes stir in a cup each of raisins and walnuts.

Tender Crescent Rolls

Tender Crescent Rolls

My family's holiday meal consists of different soups and breads. This is one of the favorite breads during that meal.—Bonnie Myers, Callaway, Nebraska

Skillet Rolls

Baking these rolls in a skillet makes them soft and tender. My family requests them for most holiday dinners and other special occasions. I like them best split and spread with butter and black raspberry jelly.

Herbed Accordion Dinner Rolls

Herbed Accordion Dinner Rolls

To dress up everyday dinner rolls, our Test Kitchen brushes herbed butter over the dough, then forms accordion rolls. The aroma while baking is incredible!

Focaccia Barese

Focaccia Barese

This focaccia has been in my mom's family for several generations. It's one of my most requested recipes. In fact, some hosts tell me I can't attend their parties unless I bring this with me! —Dora Travaglio, Mount Prospect, Illinois

Tender Garlic Cheese Breadsticks

Tender Garlic Cheese Breadsticks

Garlic breadsticks complement so many dishes. These tender ones pair well with Italian dishes, salads and soups. —Ann Volner, Maryville, Missouri

Tender Whole Wheat Rolls

Tender Whole Wheat Rolls

Even though these are whole wheat rolls they have a light texture and are soft and tender. This recipe reminds me of lots of happy meals with my family.—Wilma Orlano, Carroll, Iowa

Garlic Fontina Bread

Garlic Fontina Bread

With its golden brown color and soft texture, this bread is a must at any family meal. It's a modified version of a traditional white bread recipe my brother gave me. Try it as garlic bread toast, on grilled sandwiches or enjoy as is. —Cindy Ryan, St. Johns, Michigan

Sweet Potato Pan Rolls

Sweet Potato Pan Rolls

This tender rolls are one of my brothers favorites so I make them often. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, they are great along side a wide variety of dishes from chicken to a bowl of steaming chili.—Carly Curtin, Ellicott City, Maryland

Sage & Gruyere Sourdough Bread

Sage & Gruyere Sourdough Bread

A sourdough starter gives loaves extra flavor and helps the rising process. This bread, with sage and Gruyere cheese, comes out so well that I’m thrilled to share it. —Debra Kramer, Boca Raton, Florida

Honey Whole Wheat Rolls

Honey Whole Wheat Rolls

Most of the farmers in our area grow wheat, so this recipe definitely represents my region. I bake these rolls often, especially when I'm making soup or stew. —Celecia Stoup, Hobart, Oklahoma

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