Tired of bread machine bread recipes coming out dry and hard? This is a foolproof method for getting perfect bread every time! 
The Best Bread Machine Bread Recipe
My good friend, Abby, has always made THE best bread. A few years ago I asked her what her secret is and she told me she always does her bread in a bread machine. I honestly didn’t believe her at first because bread machine bread just isn’t good. I had attempted bread machine bread at least a dozen times and I could never make it taste right. She proved me wrong. Now making bread/dough in the bread machine is my VERY favorite way to make homemade bread. A special thanks to her for sharing this recipe with us (and allowing me to share it now with you)!
Why Use a Bread Maker/Machine?
Bread machines are SO convenient. You just put everything right in, push go, and it does all the work for you! The mixing, the kneading, the rising, the baking… everything! Where the bread machine falls short is in the “baking” part. When it comes to baking bread, the bread machine is not your friend. So what is to be done? Shhh.. it’s a secret. Here’s what you do: Dump the dough in a bread pan, put it in a COLD oven (no preheating, YAY!), turn the oven on and bake. It’s THAT easy.
What Bread Maker is Best?
Honestly, it doesn’t really matter what kind of bread machine you have. We got the cheapest bread maker on Amazon that had decent reviews. I think it was under $100. Just make sure it has a “dough” option so it will stop once the dough is done.
Do I Need to use Bread Machine Flour/Yeast?
Nope! Just make sure you are using a quick-rise yeast for it to work best. In this recipe we just use all-purpose flour, no need to spend extra getting special ingredients.
How to Bake After Mixing
- When your dough is finished, pour it straight into a greased bread pan. If you are wanting to make it look pretty, you can turn it so a smooth side is facing up. Then just tuck down any unruly edges.
- Place the bread pan in the COLD oven. No preheating necessary!
- Set temperature to 350-degrees and set timer for 30 minutes. The bread will rise and bake in this time.
- Remove baked bread from the oven and remove quickly from pan. Place on a cooling rack and brush with butter. Cover with a towel or place in a plastic Ziplock bag to keep from drying out.
Bread Machine Rolls
The bread machine method of making homemade rolls couldn’t be easier (or more delicious). It is even easier than using frozen rolls because you don’t have to wait for them to thaw! Here’s how you do it:
- Remove dough from bread machine and place on a floured surface (knead in a little extra flour if it is too sticky to handle)
- Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Fold and pinch into balls and place in a greased 9×13 glass baking dish.
- Place in COLD oven and set to 350-degrees. Set timer for 25 minutes.
- Remove rolls from oven and brush with butter.
Other Things You Can Use The Dough For:
We have used this exact dough recipe for all sorts of recipes. Sometimes you have to knead it with some flour to get the right consistency depending on what you are making, but it works like a charm in these recipes:
- Deep Dish Pizza
- The BEST Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
- BBQ Cilantro Pizza
- Quick and Easy Calzones
- Parmesan Pull Apart Bread
- Monkey Bread
- Pesto Rolls
- Samoan Coconut Rolls (Pani Popo)
- Fry Bread
- Breadsticks
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place hot water, egg, butter, sugar, and salt in bread machine.
- Add 3 cups flour. Make a small well in the flour and add yeast.
- Set bread machine to "dough" for 90 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes) and start.
- When dough is finished. Pour directly into a greased bread pan. If needed, gently turn the bread or tuck in the edges so the top is smooth.
- Place bread in COLD oven and set oven to 350 degrees. Set timer for 30 minutes.
- When finished baking, remove from oven and carefully remove bread from the pan (it's ok if it is sticky).
- Place on a baking rack to cool and brush the top with butter. Place a towel over the bread or place in a plastic Ziplock bag to keep from drying out.
- Serve immediately or place in a plastic Ziplock bag to keep from drying out.
If Making Rolls:
- Remove dough from bread machine and place on a floured surface.
- Knead in a little flour if dough is too sticky to handle.
- Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Fold and pinch into dough balls and place in a greased 9x13 glass baking dish.
- Place in a COLD oven and set to 350 degrees. Set timer for 25 minutes.
- Remove rolls from oven and brush with butter.
Equipment
- Bread Machine
Recipe Video
Nutrition
Bethany says
The BEST dough ever because it makes the most delicious rolls! I have saved this recipe to use over & over again, and it always turn out perfectly! Sooo yummy!!
maureen wakefield says
The best bread mix ever .comes out perfect every time.
Wade says
This is, without question, the best bread machine recipe I have ever tried. No kneading, cold butter, put the dough in a cold oven? It just ran counter to every other recipe I’ve tried. But it just works beautifully. And I found that the bread does not dry out as quickly as other recipes have tried. Thank you for this.
Mary Ellen Grega says
Best bread recipe by far! Did find the dough a little sticky when checking it, so I added a tablespoon at a time of flour until it was as sticky. I also used bread flour & I don’t know if that would have anything to with the stickiness. Was very leery of proofing the bread that way, but wow, I was pleasantly surprised!
PAtty says
At what temp do you consider very hot for the water?
Favorite Family Recipes says
The best temperature for water to mix with yeast is 38 C or 100 F. Hope this helps!
Josie says
Have not used this recipe yet but I will be using it soon.
Lois Hanson says
Loved loved this recipe. Making another 🍞right now. We had it fresh the first day. I’ve been making toast with the rest.
Violet Lemm says
I have not used your method yet, but do we really throw an egg into hot water?
Favorite Family Recipes says
It is hot, but not boiling, so yes! We do!
Aarin says
I love this bread recipe. So much that I would like to make a really large batch and multiple loafs at one time. Have you ever made this dough without the bread maker to allow for a bigger batch? Any tips on how to go about this? I’ve never made bread without my bread maker.
Susan says
This bread turned out delicious!!!! Perfect taste, beautiful crust and so easy using the bread machine for the dough. Only had active dry so used 1/4 more yeast and activated it fully before adding all ingredients. Made french toast with it the next day and it was perfect!
Thank you, I have found my go to bread recipe! 🤗
Jakin Thomas says
The bread came out great! But the dough did not come out the way it does in your pictures…it was really wet and I scraped out the pan with a spatula…any idea why? Too much water?
Favorite Family Recipes says
Huh, that’s strange! I haven’t had it turn out wet like that before. Did the bread come out dense?
Judi says
I just made the best bread I’ve ever made and this was the recipe. I love the sweet, buttery taste and it was so easy. I’m going to start making bread for family and friends. I can’t tell you how happy I am and how much I enjoyed this bread recipe…Thanks so much
Echo Blickenstaff says
I’m thrilled you loved this recipe! Thank you for your comment!
GretaSouthDakota says
I have always had problems making bread in my bread machine. It never bakes long enough. This recipe was just great! From now on will be my go to bread recipe!
Tennersee56 says
I made this recipe exactly as written even though I was skeptical about the baking instructions. It came out perfectly. My husband and I both feel this this is the best bread I have ever made. It is easy to make, the texture is not too heavy and crust was perfect. Thank you for sharing. #1 on our list.