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Easy Bread Machine Bread Recipe (Soft & Fluffy White Bread)
There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh homemade bread, but not everyone has the time (or patience) to make it from scratch. That’s where a bread machine comes in!
This easy bread machine bread recipe delivers a soft, fluffy loaf with minimal effort. Just add your ingredients, press start, and let the machine do all the work.
Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or serving warm with butter, this simple white bread is a must-have recipe for busy households.
You can use regular (all-purpose) flour for most recipes that call for bread flour, including bread machine baking. The texture may be slightly different, and it may not rise quite as high, but other than that, you won’t notice any major differences. If you want to use regular flour to make bread instead of bread flour, you may need to add a little bit more of it because it contains a lower level of gluten. When I am out of bread flour, I use 3½ cups all-purpose flour and ¼ cup whole wheat flour, which is high in gluten, to make this bread.
Measuring flour tips: To measure flour correctly, use measuring cups designed for dry ingredients. If the flour has been sitting in the container for a while, stir it to loosen and aerate it. Lightly spoon the flour directly into the measuring cup from the container or bag. Use a butter knife to level off the flour. Do not shake the cup, tap the cup with the knife, or pack the flour down. Don’t measure by scooping straight from the bag, or you will end up with more flour than needed, as it will be compacted.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-off and beginner-friendly
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- Perfect for sandwiches and toast
- Consistent results every time
- Budget-friendly alternative to store-bought bread
Ingredients for Bread Machine Bread
- 1¼ cups lukewarm milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 3¾ cups bread flour
- 1¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
How to Make Bread Machine Bread
Step 1: Add Ingredients
Place all ingredients into your bread machine in the order recommended by your manufacturer. This is important for proper mixing and rising.
Step 2: Select Settings
Choose the basic white bread setting and your preferred crust color (light, medium, or dark).
Step 3: Start the Machine
Press Start and let the machine handle the mixing, kneading, rising, and baking.
Step 4: Remove and Cool
Once the baking cycle is complete, carefully remove the bread pan. After about 5 minutes, gently shake the loaf loose and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Tips for Perfect Bread Machine Bread
- Check dough consistency: After a few minutes of mixing, the dough should form a soft ball. If it’s too sticky, add a little flour or a little milk if too dry.
- Use fresh yeast: This ensures a good rise and fluffy texture
- Measure carefully: Bread recipes are sensitive to ingredient ratios
- Room temperature ingredients: Help the dough rise more evenly
- Remove promptly: Take the bread out soon after baking to prevent a soggy crust
Substitutions & Variations
- Dairy-Free: Replace milk with water or a plant-based milk and use oil instead of butter
- Lower Sugar: Reduce sugar slightly without affecting texture too much
- Whole Wheat Option: Substitute up to half the flour with whole wheat flour
- Honey Bread: Replace sugar with honey for a richer flavor
Storage Tips
- Store bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days
- For longer storage, slice and freeze for up to 2 months
- Reheat slices in the toaster or microwave for fresh-from-the-oven taste
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Bread didn’t rise well?
Your yeast may have expired, or the liquid temperature may have been too hot or too cold.
- Comes in a hefty, 2 Pound Vacuum Packed Pouch
- Active Dry Yeast from one of the most popular brands worldwide
- This is active dry yeast, and is ideally used for temperatures between 110-115 degrees Fahrenheit
- Active Dry Yeast is designed for yeast-leavened bread and dough
- From the popular brand Red Star
- One, 8 oz. resealable stand up bag (0.5 lbs.)
- Gluten Free; Vegan; Vegetarian; Paleo Friendly; Kosher Pareve
- Manufactured in a dedicated gluten free facility; R5-ELISA tested gluten free
- Stores up to 1 year in the refrigerator
- Premium Quality
Dense texture?
Too much flour or not enough liquid can cause this—measure carefully.
Crust too hard?
Try a lighter crust setting or remove the bread immediately after baking.
This bread machine bread recipe is one of the easiest ways to enjoy fresh, homemade bread without the extra work. Whether you’re new to bread machines or a seasoned pro, this reliable recipe will quickly become a go-to in your kitchen.
Rolls:
This recipe also makes wonderful rolls (I also use this recipe for fry bread). Follow the instructions using the dough cycle on your bread machine.
When the dough cycle is complete, turn it out onto the floured surface and divide it into 12 pieces.
Flatten them down slightly by pressing with your hand or rolling the pin.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Brush with melted butter.
Bake at 350° for 12-14 minutes.
Oven temperatures vary, so start checking after 10 minutes to see if they are done.
Bread Machine Bread
Equipment
- Bread Machine
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups lukewarm milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 Tbsp butter, room temperature
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¾ tsp salt
- 3¾ cup bread flour
- 1¼ tsp active dry yeast
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients into your bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Most machines want the liquids added first, with the dry ingredients last.
- Program the machine for basic white bread and press Start.
- When the loaf is done, remove the pan from the machine. After about 5 minutes, gently shake the pan to dislodge the loaf, and turn it out onto a rack to cool.
Nutrition
- PERFECT FOR BEGINNER: Whether you're just starting your baking journey or looking for an easy way to enjoy fresh bread at home, this automatic bread maker has you covered. Simply add the ingredients, select a menu, and let it do the rest-from kneading to baking. No experience needed, just effortless homemade bread every time
- 17 CUSTOMIZABLE PROGRAMS: Our bread machine features 17 customized automatic programs to fit all your baking needs and preferences. Whether you're making a basic loaf, cake,whole wheat, jam, yogurt or gluten-free bread, it’s designed to give you perfect results every time
- LARGE 2LB CAPACITY FOE THE WHOLE FAMILY: With a large 2LB capacity, this bread maker allows you to bake larger loaves, making it perfect for families or gatherings. It also offers 3 loaf sizes (1LB, 1.5LB, 2LB) and 3 crust settings (light, medium, and dark) - for a fully customizable baking experience
- 600W HIGH POWER & LOW NOISE: Enjoy perfectly baked bread with 360° even heat distribution for a golden, crispy crust and soft, fluffy interior every time. The powerful 600W motor ensures fast and efficient baking, allowing you to enjoy fresh bread quickly. With its quiet operation at just 50 decibels, you can enjoy freshly baked bread without disturbing your sleep
- 15-HOUR DELAY TIMER & KEEP WARM: Set the timer up to 15 hours in advance for fresh bread waiting for you in the morning or after a long day. The keep-warm function ensures your bread stays at the perfect temperature for up to an hour after baking
- FOOLPROOF FRESH BREAD AT HOME: Automatic kneading, rising, and baking delivers bakery-quality bread with just one touch — perfect for beginners.
- BAKE UP TO A 2 LB LOAF: Choose from 1 lb, 1.5 lb, or 2 lb loaf sizes to fit small households or hungry families.
- 19 ONE-TOUCH PROGRAMS: Includes gluten-free, white, wheat, rye, French, sweet, quick bread, pizza dough, cake, jam, and more.
- WAKE UP TO WARM BREAD: 15-hour delay timer and 60-minute keep warm function fit your schedule, not the other way around.
- COMPACT, ENERGY-SAVING DESIGN: Bakes without heating your entire oven — ideal for apartments, small kitchens, and hot days.
- 12 MENU FEATURES: The compact, automatic Cuisinart Bread Maker Machine offers a wide range of options with its 12 menu programs, allowing you to bake various types of bread and other baked goods.
- 3 CRUST COLORS & 3 LOAF SIZES: Choose from 3 crust colors (light, medium, dark) and 3 loaf-size options (1 lb., 1.5 lb., 2 lb.) to customize the appearance, texture, and amount of bread to suit your preferences.
- MIXES, KNEADS & BAKES: This bread machine maker lets you think beyond bread and delight family and friends with cakes, pizza, and other treats made with your bread maker.
- EASY TO USE: Fully automatic and easy to use, the automatic bread maker features an LCD display to view countdown time, current cycle and selected options, audible beep reminders, and 60-minute keep warm cycle.
- COMPACT FOOTPRINT: Counter-friendly with a compact design, the Cuisinart bread machine offers a full-size vertical baking cavity and removable nonstick vertical bread pan to bake up to 2 lb. loaves.
