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This Bread Machine Bread is my go-to method for a soft, fluffy white loaf with almost no hands-on work. I let the bread machine do the mixing, kneading, and rising, then I bake it in the oven for a taller loaf and better texture. It is easy, reliable, and perfect for sandwiches, toast, and warm buttered slices straight from the pan.
Why I Love This Bread
I love this recipe because it gives me the convenience of a bread machine without the dense, dry loaf I used to get when I baked the whole thing in the machine. My friend Abby convinced me to try using the bread machine just for the dough cycle, and it completely changed the game for me. Now it is my favorite way to make homemade bread because it is simple, dependable, and turns out soft and delicious every time.
🩷 Erica
Table of Contents
- Why I Love This Bread
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Bread Machine Bread
- Why This Method Works
- Recipe Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Troubleshooting
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Best Bread Machine to Use
- Ways to Use This Bread
- Using the Dough for More Recipes
- 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Bread Machine Bread Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Water: I use very hot tap water (not boiling) to help the dough get going in the machine.
- Egg: Adds richness, color, and a softer texture.
- Butter: I use cold butter straight from the fridge, and it works great here.
- Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps feed the yeast.
- Salt: Balances flavor and strengthens the dough.
- Flour: All-purpose flour or bread flour both work, with slightly different textures.
- Quick-rise yeast: Helps the dough rise quickly and reliably in the bread machine dough cycle.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
- Flour options – Bread flour gives a chewier loaf and often a little more rise, while all-purpose flour gives a softer crumb.
- Whole wheat option – Start with half whole wheat and half white flour for better texture and rise.
- Yeast swap – Instant/quick-rise yeast is easiest, but active dry yeast can work too.
- Butter + salt adjustment – If using salted butter, reduce the added salt a bit if needed.
- Sweetness adjustment – You can slightly reduce the sugar if you prefer a less sweet sandwich bread.
How to Make Bread Machine Bread
- Place the hot water, egg, cold butter, sugar, and salt into the bread machine pan. No need to stir.
- Add the flour on top, then make a small well in the flour and add the yeast.
- Set your bread machine to the dough setting (about 90 minutes) and press start.
- When the dough cycle is done, pour the dough into a greased loaf pan. Smooth the top if needed and tuck in any uneven edges.
- Put the loaf pan into a cold oven. Turn the oven to 350°F and set the timer for 30 minutes. The bread rises and bakes as the oven heats.
- Remove the bread from the oven, take it out of the pan quickly, and place it on a cooling rack. Brush the top with butter and cover with a towel (or store in a bag once cooled) so it stays soft.
Why This Method Works
The secret to this Bread Machine Bread is using the machine for what it does best:
- Mixing
- Kneading
- Rising
Then I bake it in the oven for:
- A taller loaf
- Better shape
- Softer crust and crumb
- More classic homemade bread texture
This is the biggest difference-maker in this recipe.
Recipe Tips
- Use a bread machine with a dough setting so it stops after mixing, kneading, and rising.
- Check the dough early during the first few minutes of mixing. It should look soft and slightly tacky, not like batter and not dry/crumbly.
- Use a 9×5-inch loaf pan for a standard sandwich loaf.
- Do not preheat the oven for this method. The cold oven rise is part of the process.
- Remove from the pan quickly after baking so the sides do not steam and soften too much.
- Brush with butter after baking for extra softness and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can use a full basic/white bread cycle, but I prefer this recipe baked in the oven because it gives a taller loaf and better texture.
You can use instant/rapid-rise or active dry yeast.
Instant/rapid-rise: add it dry to the machine (no proofing needed).
Active dry: you can also add it dry in most bread machines, but if you’ve had trouble with rising, you can proof it first in warm water until foamy.
Tip: If your machine has a yeast dispenser, follow your machine’s instructions.
Yes—the recipe uses tablespoons, which can be more than a single packet. A packet is usually 2¼ teaspoons, so make sure you’re measuring the yeast with teaspoons/tablespoons rather than assuming “1 packet.”
Use hot tap water, not boiling. If you’re worried, aim for roughly 110–120°F (warm/hot but not scalding). Bread machines mix quickly, so the egg gets incorporated fast, but if your water is near boiling, it can cause issues.
Start timing when you put the loaf into the cold oven and turn the oven on. That ramp-up time is included in the bake.
This recipe makes a standard sandwich loaf. A 9×5-inch loaf pan is the most common fit. If using a smaller pan, don’t fill more than about ½–⅔ full before the rise to avoid overflow.
YES! Not only is it cheaper, but you know exactly what is going into it! No mystery ingredients in your sandwich bread.
Broken down, the savings look like this: The average cost of a loaf of basic white bread is around $4 (more or less), making it yourself costs about $1.
(It also tastes better!)
Troubleshooting
- Bread tastes too salty: If you used salted butter, reduce the added salt next time.
- Dough too sticky: Add flour 1 tablespoon at a time during mixing until it forms a soft, tacky ball.
- Dough too dry or crumbly: Add water 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough is smooth and soft.
- Loaf did not rise well: Usually caused by expired yeast, water that is too hot or too cool, too much flour (packed measuring cup), or a cold kitchen.
- Bread is dense: Often caused by too much flour or weak yeast. Spoon-and-level flour and make sure your yeast is fresh.
- Top browns too fast, middle not done: Loosely tent with foil and bake a little longer. The loaf should sound hollow when tapped, and the center is usually about 190°F.
- High altitude adjustments (3,000+ ft): Bread can rise faster and dry out more easily at higher elevations. If your loaf over-rises, collapses, or turns out dry/dense, try reducing yeast slightly (start with ¼ teaspoon less), adding 1 to 2 tablespoons more water, and checking dough texture early so it stays soft and tacky. Make only one small change at a time.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make ahead dough: After the dough cycle, shape and refrigerate the dough covered, then let it sit at room temperature until puffy before baking.
- Room temperature: Store fully cooled bread in a bag or airtight container for 2 to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Store fully cooled bread in an airtight container or bag for up to 5 to 7 days (just note the fridge can dry bread out faster).
- Freeze: Slice first, then freeze in a freezer bag for up to 2 to 3 months so you can thaw slices as needed.
Best Bread Machine to Use
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. Any basic bread maker will do the trick. Just make sure it has a “dough” option so it will stop once the dough is done.
Ways to Use This Bread
I also love how versatile this Bread Machine Bread is. We use it for toast, and sandwiches like our Club Sandwich or Grilled Cheese. It is also great for French Toast, and even as a base dough for rolls and other recipes. It feels like one of those recipes that makes everyday meals easier.
Using the Dough for More Recipes
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:
- Pani Popo (Samoan Coconut Rolls)
- BBQ Cilantro Pizza
- Caramel Monkey Bread
- Pesto Rolls
- Fry Bread
- Bread Twists
5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“This is the best bread I’ve ever made! So light and fluffy with just the right amount of sweetness… This will definitely be my go to recipe!” – Vicki
“Awesome, delicious, easy… followed [the instructions] to the letter. It was perfect. Love, love, love it!! My new go to.” – Jan
“First time making bread in years. This is the BEST bread EVER! No joke! So easy. Highly recommend.” – Autumn
If you have been disappointed by bread machine loaves in the past, this Bread Machine Bread method is the one I recommend trying next. Let the machine do the hard work, then finish the loaf in the oven for that soft, homemade texture everyone loves. If you make it, I would love for you to come back and leave a review or tell me how you used it. 🍞💛
Bread Machine Bread
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup water, (very hot)
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons butter, (cold- not softened)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 3 cups flour, (you can use either all-purpose or bread flour)
- 1 tablespoon quick-rise yeast
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 (it's ok if it is sticky).
- 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.
- 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 9×13 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
Notes
- Use the dough cycle only for best results, then bake in the oven.
- Cold oven method: place loaf in a cold oven, then turn oven to 350°F and start the 30-minute timer right away.
- Dough texture matters: soft and slightly tacky is perfect. Adjust with flour or water 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Bread flour and all-purpose flour both work.
- Quick-rise yeast is easiest, but active dry can work too.
- Use a 9×5 loaf pan for a standard sandwich loaf.
- Remove from pan quickly after baking and brush with butter for a softer crust.
- Store fully cooled bread in a bag/container, or slice and freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this recipe?
We want to hear from you! Please leave a review.
This bread is delicious!! I will use this recipe from now on. Soft, tasty, and very easy to make. You won’t be disappointed!
So glad we won you over as the recipe you will use!
Would mixing hot water and egg not cook the egg?
You want the water warm, not boiling.
I tried this. Bread did not get done. Followed your directions exactly but time was not long. I put in cold oven, and baked for 30 minutes. Top was brown, and felt done. When I cut the bread, it was only done on the top half. Bottom half was not done.
That’s so strange, are you at a high altitude?
Oven issue, bottom element not heating.
Same. 30 min is not long enough.
Can you double this recipe so you can make 2 loaves at the same time?
I don’t see why not.
Best and easiest white bread recipe EVER! My whole family is IN LOVE with this recipe and it’s (shhh… don’t tell) even better than my grandma’s recipe!
That is the best compliment ever!
Does the dough have to be baked in the oven? Or can it continue to bake in the bread machine?
You can do either, we just prefer oven.
I was blown away! So easy and delicious. Like everyone else the bread is always so dense.
Question:
How would I adjust the recipe to use wheat bread flour?
I would recommend using our wheat bread recipe: https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/honey-whole-wheat-bread/
Not really “bread machine bread” when you don’t bake it in the bread machine. This just saves kneading by hand. Ugh,
True. But on the plus side there’s less to clean up, especially in a small kitchen: counter top, floor, etc. (Or maybe I’m just a bit messier than most. Lol!)
Wow, so easy & so good! Used it to make pepperoni bread, instead of the frozen white bread dough it called for, and it was a perfectly delicious New Year’s Eve hit, can’t wait to use this recipe again!
So glad it was a hit!
I keep making ridiculously dense bread and thought it has to be me! I tried this recipe and OH MY GOODNESS, it’s fluffy on the inside NOT dense! And crunchy crust and tastes so good! I am so happy I tripped and fell on this recipe! I do wonder what would happen if I cooked it in the maker, have you? Was it dense? Thank you so much!
So glad you found us! We usually don’t, but if you try it let us know how it turns out.
This was pretty easy and the dough came out silky smooth! The taste is nice and a little sweet! This is definitely a hit in my house!
So glad you liked it!
Im going to try it now. If the dust will wipe off the machine. My grandson is coming for our xmas and should go nicely with prime rib homemade noodle strohgaoff. I do not know how to spell that…🤔 Ill let you know. Ho Ho Ho 💃💚❤️☃️
How did it go?
Mmmmmmm! Prime rib! My favorite and my children’s too. I always make sautéed asparagus, mashed sour cream and chive red potatoes and a good yeast roll! Now I have my bread machine. Haven’t used it yet, but getting ready too for the first time. Let us know how yours turned out with your prime rib!
I’m newer to break making and didn’t pay attention to the yeast amount of 1 T and just used a regular packet. The bread turned out great. What would be different with one T of yeast?
Also, is there a way I can use my active yeast that I store in my fridge with this recipe? I found I like the taste better but still not sure how to use it unless told (lol).
Great questions, and I’m glad the bread turned out well!
A standard yeast packet contains about 2¼ teaspoons, while 1 tablespoon is 3 teaspoons, so you used slightly less yeast than the recipe calls for. Using a full tablespoon helps the dough rise a little faster and more reliably, especially with the cold oven method, but since your bread turned out great, the packet worked just fine.
You can use the active yeast you keep in the fridge. Use the same amount, 1 tablespoon total, but dissolve it first in warm water, about 105 to 110 degrees, with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for a few minutes until foamy, then add it to the bread machine with the other ingredients. Active yeast does have a slightly better flavor, so it is a great option once you are comfortable using it. Hope this helps!
I am going to try using honey instead of sugar & make into rolls. I hope they turn out okay since I’m taking them for Xmas dinner. 🤷♀️
Let us know how it goes!
Did they work?
Hi Erica
I am wanting to add in cheese and jalapeños. Do I add with the rest of the ingredients or after it has started mixing.
Thanks
I would do it after the dough has started mixing.
Oh my gosh…this is fabulous and so soft. I did as you suggested and chopped up Trader Joe’s hot and spiced jalapeños ( about 3 tbsp) and 1 cup of shredded cheese and it came out wonderful. So much better baking in oven. Third time is a charm
How do you keep the egg from cooking in the hot water?
You don’t want the water to be boiling, just as hot as the tap will get. I have never had the egg cook in it before.
Well let me tell y’all, I’m a 73 year old grandpa and I can fix most anything around the house but not so good around the kitchen and that’s why my wife is the kitchen mgr! Well I decided to grab our bread maker that’s been idle for awhile and give this recipe a whirl. I literally threw the ingredients in the basket according to the directions and my wife out shopping and made the best dang bread ya ever tasted! My wife liked it too!! So if you excuse me I’m gonna whoop up a batch of soup beans and slather up a heel or two with butter and enjoy!!! If I did it, you can too! 5 star as far as I’m concerned!❤️
Hi Grandpa Rick! I am so glad you took the time to come back and leave such a thoughtful comment. You totally made my day! Way to go trying something new and getting out of your comfort zone! I am thrilled that you liked this recipe so much and that it was easy for you. You might be the official family bread maker now! 😆
Thats awesome grandpa.
No exaggeration, this IS the best bread machine recipe. The texture and flavour are wonderful. I am not going to lie, I was skeptical when I read that I had to add an egg but now it is a reason to have eggs in my fridge. This bread freezes well, and as a person who lives alone this is an imperative. This is my 2nd time making it and I am going to use it for cinnamon buns the next time I make it.
Wow, thank you so much for this kind comment! I am so glad this was a hit for you, let me know how the cinnamon buns turn out!
I have tried numerous bread machine recipes and almost gave up hope on finding one that resembled a normal white loaf that wasn’t too dense. This one is AWESOME! Super easy, and came out great first try!
Yay! I am so glad you found a recipe that will work for you! I am so happy you liked it!
my bread machine will not let me set the timer. it’s programed for 1hr 40min. is this ok?
The dough setting is set for 1 hour? That should be fine, all machines are different, so if that’s how long the dough setting takes on yours I think it should be just fine as-is. Hope this helps!
My machine has a two hour dough setting and wouldn’t let me set a timer, it’s super old though.
I’m new at this so I just took it out after 90 minutes. Still worked beautifully