Homemade Bread in a Bread Maker
Basic White Bread (2 lb loaf)
• Water (80°F) — 1½ cups
• Unsalted butter, room temp, cut into ½" pieces — 2 tbsp
• Salt (I used “No Salt” for my husband’s blood pressure and it still turned out great) — 2 tsp
• Granulated sugar — 2 tbsp
• Bread flour (I used organic unbleached, unenriched AP flour) — 4 cups
• Vital wheat gluten (optional — I didn’t use it) — 2½ tsp
• Milk powder — 3 tbsp
• Active dry yeast — 2 tsp
Attach the collapsible paddle and make sure it’s in the upright position.
Layer ingredients in this order:
Liquid → Fat → Dry ingredients → Yeast
Machine settings:
• Basic
• Light crust
• 2 lb loaf
Hit start and walk away 🩷
Using a bread maker can truly simplify the process of making fresh homemade bread, especially for those who are new to bread baking or short on time. One key tip I found helpful was to always layer the ingredients in the order recommended—liquids first, followed by fats, then dry ingredients, and finally the yeast on top. This layering ensures that the yeast activates properly and the dough develops well during kneading and rising. From personal experience, using room temperature water and butter yields better dough consistency. For health-conscious baking, opting for no-salt or reduced-salt seasoning still produces great flavor without compromising the bread's texture. I also noticed that using organic, unbleached all-purpose flour works great as a substitute for bread flour if you don’t have any on hand, though adding a small amount of vital wheat gluten can help improve the dough’s elasticity and rise if desired. Many bread makers, including the one used here, have customizable settings for crust color and loaf size. Choosing the 'light crust' option is perfect if you prefer a softer crust without the bitterness sometimes associated with darker crusts. Since the bread maker handles everything from mixing, kneading, proofing, to baking, you can literally start the machine before bed and wake up to fresh bread in the morning—this hands-off convenience is what makes bread machines such a blessing for busy schedules. If your first loaf turns out a bit funky—as sometimes happens when experimenting—don't be discouraged. Adjusting water temperature slightly or ensuring ingredients, especially yeast, are fresh can improve the results. Also, some bread machines have a collapsible paddle that should be securely attached in the upright position to prevent dough from sticking to it during baking. Overall, baking homemade bread in a bread maker combines convenience with the satisfaction of fresh bread. It’s a delightful way to customize your loaves with different flours, add-ins, or crust preferences. For anyone looking to dip their toes into bread making, this straightforward recipe and method is a fantastic starting point.
Why did it fall?