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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.
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We want to hear from you! Please leave a review.
I love this recipe! Trying my hand at making hot dog buns today! Wish me luck 🍀
Best of luck!!
This recipe is great! I made it for the first time today after messing up several loaves baked in my machine. This is perfect for sandwiches!
I’m so happy you like it! Thank you for letting us know.
I like easy. Made some and now we will stick to this recipe. Making more now.
Same! I’m so glad you like the recipe!
I tried this recipe exactly as you have it and the loaf came out perfect and delicious.
Thank you.
That’s what we like to hear! Thank you for letting us know it was a success for you. 😀
Oh my word! Probably the best loaf I’ve ever made! Seriously amazing. I did taste how sweet it was so I might cut the sugar down a bit but besides that, this recipe is amazing. Oh! And I added some extra flower in because seeing how sticky it was made me nervous. So probably 3.5 cups of flower I added 🙂
I’m so happy you love this recipe as much as we do. Thank you for your comment and review!
This bread is the BEST I’ve made as far as a white bread. It’s not too sweet to me and my family, but of course we are SO sweet! :0)
So glad you enjoyed it! I agree, you are SO sweet 🙂
The best bread I’ve ever made and the only way I’ll make it from now on!
kitty
Thanks so much! Glad you liked it!
Hi! Can I use regular yeast as opposed to quick? Thx so much!
I haven’t don’t it that way before and wonder if it will take too long to rise in the bread machine. If you happen to try it, please let me know how it turns out!
It is fabulous! 90 minutes in the bread machine on#9 Dough. Pop the dough into a bread pan. Set the bread pan in the cold oven. and turn the oven to 350 degrees F. Set timer for 30 minutes. Don’t worry! (It’s going to rise!) Set the timer for 30 minutes and you’ll have the best bread you’ve every had. It’s like biting into a warm, soft pillow loaf of bread. Simply amazing! and SO easy!!!
Thanks for the rave review! Glad we were able to able to help you put your bread machine to work 😀
So if you wanted to cook it in your bread machine instead of only make the dough then move it to the oven do you use the regular setting?
So disappointed, mine didn’t rise. What have I done wrong? Should I have let sit for 30 mins to rise and then bake for 30 mins?
Thankyou
I’m sorry, Bonnie. You shouldn’t have to let the bread rise – the bread machine does that for you. What caused it not to rise is likely something to do with the yeast. Did you use quick-rise yeast? Was your yeast fresh (not expired)? Was the water the right temperature – not too hot, not too cold? And was the yeast added on top of the flour?
I used regular yeast. I was a bit worried but it was perfect! Excellent rise, it almost touched the top of my machine.
90 minutes dough settings.
This is great to know, thank you! I always use the quick yeast and haven’t tried it with regular so I’m happy to learn either one works!
What size loaf pan did u use? Cannot wait to try this today!!!!
I use a standard loaf pan which is 8 ½ x 4 ½ x 2 ½ inches
I loved this bread but is a little too sweet. Next time I will try with 1/2 the sugar.
Yes definitely give it a try!
This recipe is amazing! I make at least 2 loaves per week. Haven’t bought bread at the grocery store for a month now. I was wondering if it could be baked in a pullman loaf pan with a lid?
That’s a great question, I have never made it in a pullman loaf pan before so I can’t say for sure. I used them when I worked at the bakery but I actually don’t own one myself. I’m tempted not to try it! If you happen to try it before me, please come back and let me know how it turns out!
Help please. What type of flour, all purpose?
Yep! We usually just use all purpose but you can also use bread flour with success!
This bread is so easy and delicious. I’ve made it so many times. Always turns out perfect. My daughter just got diagnosed with a gluten intolerance.
Can you sub gluten-free flour for the bread flour?
I am so glad you like it! And I’m sorry to hear about your daughter. We have a lot of GF family members and know that it is hard to find good GF recipes, especially bread. That being said, we haven’t tested this recipe using a GF flour. For bread especially it’s so hard to find a good blend that works well. In theory you should be able to swap it out 1:1 but I honestly can’t guarantee it will turn out. If you happen to try it and find a good blend, please let us know! I would love to know the results!
I make this all the time with honey. Each time I make it it turns out better. This is what I have learned to do…I add slightly under 1/4 cup of honey and add to the top sugar to get to the entire 1/4 cup. The honey does make the dough more sticky so I stand by the machine and add about a tablespoon more flour about every 30-60 seconds UNTIL the dough is able to form a traditional ball. (It make take anywhere from 2 TBS to 5 TBS more flour.) This is the only alteration and the bread is divine.
LOVE this! Thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to try it with honey!
Thank you for this recipe! I have made it multiple times and it is perfect. My family loves it! Just curious- have you experimented with using less sugar and/or substituting honey? Wondering how much it will impact the end product. 🙂
Hi Bailey – every time I have made this recipe I have made it exactly as it is written. I haven’t tried it with less sugar or honey. That being said, I can’t advise on how it will affect the texture. If you happen to try it, please let me know back here in the comments how it goes!
I make it with 1/2 the amount of sugar and you can’t tell the difference. Still taste delicious!
I made it and it is amazing! Thank you!
This bread is amazing! It was difficult to work with the stickiness, so I will have to learn how to work with that better. Very moist, nice and filling and it slices very well.
That could simply have something to do with your elevation or the humidity. Definitely play around with the recipe to see how to make it work best for you. Glad you liked it so much!
So the market was out of jars of yeast, so I used a packet thinking it looked close. Now, I’m wondering if I should just take it out and start over since I looked up the amount (which is less than a tablespoon) of the packet after starting the machine 🤦♀️ On the off chance that you are online now, I’m just checking so that I started over as soon as possible.
Sorry, I am just seeing this. Did you figure it out?
This is the perfect white bread – and omg , so fast. I have stopped buying bread because i can actually slice this. I’m waiting for the dough right now and this time i added a bunch of dried italian herbs. I can’t to smell this one baking. Thank you !
You are so welcome!
Love this recipe, 1st 2 loaves were perfect, plan on making this at least weekly. Can wheat bread be made the same way?
We haven’t tested it with wheat flour. It wont come out the same with those same measurements. In the meantime our Honey Whole Wheat bread that bakes in the oven is really good!
Can you use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar?
You can substitute honey. Maple syrup might give it a weird flavor.
How much honey equals 1/4 cup of sugar?
When substituting honey for sugar in a recipe, you generally use aa little less honey because it’s sweeter and contains more moisture. I would still use the 1/4 cup but maybe just fill it 3/4 full.
Absolutely perfect bread, loved it. Do you have other bread, rolls etc recipes.
Thank you and yes! Definitely check out the bread category under the dropdown.
Absolutely loved this bread ❤️. Followed directions completely and my family loved it. Where would I find more of your recipes. Would love more bread recipes.