Bread Recipe All Purpose Flour Bread Machine

Sneak Peek: This basicBread Machine White Breadis a soft, fluffy 1.5-lb loaf with no eggs and little sugar or fat. And yes, you can make this beautiful loaf with the help of your bread machine. Also, don’t miss the secret ingredient that helps make this the best bread machine white bread recipe.

Have you tried the first white bread recipe listed in the manual printed by your bread machine manufacturer? Did you make it from beginning to end with the one-and-done button? If you weren’t thrilled with the results, I have an alternative.

Was it nicely domed or misshapen and ugly? Was the crust browned or much lighter on top than the rest of the bread? Who wants to give an ugly loaf to his neighbor or friend?

Bread Flour Vs. All Purpose Flour: Is There A Difference?

How was the inside of your bread? Was the crumb organized or verging on crumbly? Was it light and fluffy on top but dense on the bottom?

The bread I described above is probably good enough for toast if you aren’t particular. But if you want a loaf you are excited to eat and proud to share with others, follow this recipe as closely as possible.

The directions are for a bread machine because it is the best kneading machine in town. But you can make it with a stand mixer or by hand. See the recipe notes for details.

Why I Love My Bread Machine + White Bread Recipe

“I never review recipes but this one definitely deserves 5 stars. I’ve made bread in my machine several times but was never impressed. This is by far the best bread I’ve ever made and it was easy. The texture, color and taste were perfect. Thanks so much for the recipe!” — Ashley Ashley

Are you open to a different way of using your bread machine other than start-to-finish with the push of one button? If so, I can show you how to use a bread maker to make fabulous bread.

A bread machine is one of the best kneaders in town. Plus, you get a timer with it. So you can throw the carefully-measured ingredients into the bread machine, turn it on, and let it do the work while you start your next project.

White Bread Recipe For Bread Machine 2 Lbs Basic Loaf

You’ll want to open the lid and check the dough a time or two to ensure it’s not too dry or wet. Otherwise, you can leave it alone for an hour and a half (varies with different machines), and when you return, the dough should be ready to shape.

One of the secrets to producing fabulous bread with a bread machine is to use the DOUGH cycle only. That means you will let the machine mix and knead the dough (great for people who find it painful to manipulate it with your hands). Then you will shape the dough with your hands, let it go through one more rise, and bake it in your conventional oven.

Does it sound like a lot of work? It may take a few extra minutes, depending on your experience. But it’s worth it.

Bread Maker White Loaf Recipe

Making great bread is not as easy as pushing one button on a bread machine, as many people hope. However, with a little extra attention and experience, you can use a bread machine to produce a loaf you will be proud to share and excited to eat.

1) Place all dough ingredients into the bread machine pan in the order listed in the recipe. (You do not need to grease the pan since you won’t be baking the bread in the machine.) Select the DOUGH cycle, then press START.

2) Lift the lid and peek within the first minute of the kneading phase to ensure the paddles are engaged, and the dough is clumping.

Basic White Bread Machine Recipe

3) About 15 minutes after the kneading phase starts (you can hear and see it), open the lid or look through the window if you can see anything. The dough should look like a smooth but tacky ball that sticks to the side, then pulls away cleanly.

A) If the dough looks like a thick pancake batter (possible measuring error) or there is a layer of wet dough underneath the paddles, add a tablespoon of flour and wait a minute or two for it to incorporate into the dough as it kneads. Then, repeat the process until the dough looks right.

B) If the dough is too dry, it may bounce off the pan wall or ride on the post like a merry-go-round. Add one tablespoon of water and give the machine a minute to incorporate the added liquid. You may need a spatula to press the water into the dough because dry dough often won’t accept extra water without encouragement.

Easy Gluten Free Bread {dairy Free}

If it doesn’t rise in the next hour, you either forgot the yeast, the yeast was dead, or the ambient temperature is too low. When yeast is cold, it is in no mood to eat and belch carbon dioxide that makes bread rise.

Hopefully, the dough has doubled in size when the DOUGH cycle ends. Use the two-finger test to check. Poke two floury fingers gently into the dough.

If the holes fill in slowly but not completely, it’s ready. If the dough bounces right back, leave the dough in the pan until your fingers leave a temporary impression. When ready, move the dough from the pan and shape it as pictured below.

How To Make Basic White Bread Less Dense In A Bread Machine

Remove the dough from the bread pan onto a lightly floured surface. I like to use a silicone baking mat because it’s easy to throw into the dishwasher.

Lightly knead the dough to remove the air bubbles and shape it into a rough ball. Cover and allow the dough to rest for 10-15 minutes.

Use your hands or a rolling pin to shape the dough into a rectangle, with the long side an inch longer than the loaf pan you use.

Low Carb Bread Machine Recipe

Set the pan in the middle to check the size of the short side; it should be about one inch longer than your pan.

Place the cylinder of dough into a greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan or a 9 x 4 x 4-inch Pullman pan with the seam side down. Cover with a tea towel, cheap shower cap, or greased plastic wrap and place in a warm place for the final rise before baking.

When you see the dough peeking over the top of the pan, it’s almost time to bake. Preheat your conventional oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Bake bread for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 195-200˚F (90˚C).

Bread Machine White Bread Recipe

If you prefer sweeter and richer white bread, be sure to take a look at my Condensed Milk Bread: A Not-to-be-Missed Bread Machine Recipe and this Buttermilk Bread Machine Bread Recipe.

Whole-grain flours bring different rules to the party. If you are a new bread baker, I encourage you to stick to the recipe.

For more experienced bakers, substitute a half cup of whole wheat flour for a half cup of bread flour. If that works out well, go a little higher.

Bread Machine Bread

The more whole grain flour you add, the denser your bread and the smaller your loaf tends to be. Also, don’t forget to check your dough as it kneads so you can make adjustments to the consistency of the dough on the fly.

If you can turn it off, I would. You don’t need it when you aren’t going to use the machine for baking your bread.

If you can’t turn it off, let the PREHEAT cycle run its course before the machine starts the DOUGH cycle or begin the PREHEAT cycle immediately when you walk into the kitchen. By the time you gather and measure your ingredients, it won’t be long before the DOUGH cycle starts.

Sandwich Bread Without Yeast

No. Chop the butter into tiny pieces and add it with the other ingredients. It will quickly assimilate into the dough as the machine mixes and kneads.

Not all machines have more than one DOUGH cycle. If yours does, always choose the regular DOUGH cycle when using one of my recipes. The longer your dough has to rise, the better the flavor. Good bread takes time.

Yes. You can. The first loaf pictured below was baked in a bread maker. Lower your expectations. The crust might turn out thicker and crunchier. The top may not be rounded and pretty. But hopefully, the bread will be good enough for toast. Don’t forget to open the lid and check the dough to adjust it on the fly. Hopefully, your bread won’t turn out too dense or with a crater on top due to environmental extremes or sloppy measuring techniques.

Bread Machine Multigrain Loaf Recipe

Since this recipe calls for 3 cups of flour and is a high-riser, I suggest you use a 9×5-inch loaf pan or a 9x4x4-inch Pullman pan. If you have a dark pan, use that one for a darker crust color.

In my experience, when the sides and bottom of the loaf are darker, they are also stronger. Since this is a light and fluffy loaf, the sturdier sides help support the bread, especially when slicing it.

In the picture below, the bread on the left was baked in a shiny pan. The bread on the right was baked in a black pan. Everything else was the same.

Bread Machine White Bread (extra Buttery Flavor) Recipe

Most likely, the pan