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Bread Machine White Bread

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Making your own white sandwich bread in a bread machine couldn’t be easier.  Just put the ingredients in the machine, push the button and a few hours later open it to find fresh baked soft white sandwich bread.

Homemade Bread Machine White Bread

Everyday white bread is one of those simple pleasures that just makes a day whole.  Nothing complicated, but just right for complementing the perfect sandwich.  I love baking my own bread, and tasting the fresh warm flavors right out of the oven.  More often than not, I choose a hearty multi-grain bread, but now that I have two toddlers at home, crusty loaves, and 7-grain breads are on the back burner.

When I found a bread machine at a local thrift store, it took me back to my childhood.  My mom never made bread, but one Christmas, she was gifted a bread machine.  All winter, she played with that machine, baking several loaves a week.  It was a welcome change from the styrofoam-flavored wonder bread from the grocery store.

Now that I have my own kids, I know why my mom never made bread.  It’s tricky to find that kind of time, even with two little ones always trying to “help.”  I’ve been pretty successful on occasion making a soft Amish white bread with their help, but it doesn’t come anywhere close to providing for all our bread needs.

Now that I have a bread machine in the house though, we haven’t bought store-bought bread in quite some time.  I can have the ingredients prepped, and a loaf started in about 2 minutes, which is usually about as much time as I have between being tackled and breaking up baby battles.

Fresh Home Baked Bread Machine White Bread ~ Soft White Sandwich Bread

Ingredients for Bread Machine White Bread

I’m baking this as a 2-pound loaf in my Zojirushi Supreme Bread Machine, which makes beautiful horizontal loaves in a pan that uses two paddles for more efficient mixing.  I’ve worked with many different machines over the years, and this one’s my favorite. 

I’ve also included instructions for a 1 1/2-pound loaf if you’re working with a smaller machine or a machine that bakes vertically since they don’t work as well with full-sized loaves. 

To make an extra small 1-pound loaf, just divide the 2-pound quantities in half.

Two Pound Loaf Ingredients

To make a 2-pound loaf of Bread Machine White Bread, you’ll need the following:

Liquid Ingredients (add first)

  • 1 cups (235 ml) lukewarm water
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) milk
  • 3 Tbsp. (42 g) butter

Dry Ingredients (on top of wet)

  • 3 3/4 cup (450 g) White Flour (All Purpose or Bread)
  • 3 Tbsp. (38 g) Sugar
  • 1 tsp. (6 g) salt
  • 2 tsp. (6 g) SAF Instant Yeast (or 2 1/2 tsp bread machine yeast)

One and a Half Pound Loaf Ingredients

To make a 1 ½ pound loaf of Bread Machine White Bread, you’ll need the following:

Liquid Ingredients (add first)

  • 3/4 cups (180 ml) lukewarm water
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
  • 2 Tbsp. (28 g) butter

Dry Ingredients (on top of wet)

  • 2 3/4 cup (330 g) White Flour (All Purpose or Bread)
  • 2 1/4 Tbsp. (28 g) Sugar
  • 3/4 tsp. (5 g) salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp. (5 g) SAF Instant Yeast (or 2 tsp bread machine yeast)

Choosing Bread Machine Yeast for White Bread

The main thing to know about bread machine baking is that choice of yeast matters.  Active yeast is designed to be dissolved in water before other ingredients are added.  Bread machine yeast and instant yeast (SAF) are different.  The liquid ingredients go into the bottom of the machine, then the flour floating on top, and then finally a scoop of bread machine yeast in a well in the flour. 

This order allows you to use a timer on the bread machine, and start the loaf with a delayed start so that it’s ready right when you get home from work.  The yeast stays dry until the machine starts, which is perfect for a delayed start.

Bread machine yeast is also designed for a rapid rise, which helps a bread machine complete a loaf relatively quickly.  

Since I still do make homemade bread in the oven, I wasn’t excited about keeping two types of yeast in the house.  I’ve had great success with a brand called Saf-Instant Yeast, which is perfect for both oven-baking and bread machine use.  It’s sold in a 1-pound bulk package for about $4, and the same amount of yeast in tiny packets would cost about $65!  This has been a real game changer for my home bread baking, and it’s really helped keep costs down when we’re baking 2-3 loaves a week.

You can also use bread machine yeast in this recipe, and I’ve included amounts for that as well.  If using active yeast instead of instant yeast, you’ll need to dissolve it in water and allow it to stand for 10 minutes before proceeding with this recipe.

Easy Bread Machine White Bread ~ Simple homemade soft white sandwich bread from a bread machine

How to Make Bread Machine White Bread

Making white sandwich bread in a bread machine couldn’t be easier.  While a crusty french loaf may only have flour, yeast, salt, and water, a soft bread needs a few more things.  To get a really wonderful soft sandwich bread, a bit of butter helps to create a tender crumb.  The addition of a small amount of milk and sugar helps round out the flavor and create a wonderful texture.

When you’re using Saf-Instant Yeast or Bread machine yeast, it goes on top of the flour with the dry ingredients.  If you only have “active” yeast, it needs to be dissolved in the water instead.

I’ve given ingredient quantities for both a 1 1/2 and 2-pound loaf of soft white bread.  You can make a 1-pound loaf by cutting the 2-pound loaf quantities in half. 

Select the basic setting on your bread machine for a 2-pound loaf.  On my machine, that cycle takes an even 3 hours from start to finish, but the total time will depend on how your bread machine works.

Yield: Makes a 2 pound loaf (1 1/2 pound in notes)

Bread Machine White Bread

Homemade Bread Machine White Bread

This simple white bread comes together quickly in a bread machine, with only 2 minutes of active work and 3 hours from start to finish.

Ingredients

Liquid Ingredients (add first)

  • 1 cups (235 ml) lukewarm water
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) milk
  • 3 Tbsp. (42 g) butter

Dry Ingredients (on top of wet)

  • 3 3/4 cup (450 g) White Flour (All Purpose or Bread)
  • 3 Tbsp. (38 g) Sugar
  • 1 tsp. (6 g) salt
  • 2 tsp. (6 g) SAF Instant Yeast (or 2 1/2 tsp bread machine yeast)

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients into the bread machine in the order listed. The wet ingredients should go at the bottom, and then you use the flour to create an "island" on top to keep the yeast from getting wet before the cycle starts. (If you're using active yeast instead of instant or bread machine yeast, dissolve it in the water before starting, and don't use the time delay cycle.)
  2. Set the machine "basic white" and click start.
  3. The bread machine should go through a full cycle, first kneading the bread and then allowing it to rise before baking.
  4. Allow the bread to cool completely before cutting.

Notes

One and a Half Pound Loaf Ingredients

To make a 1 ½ pound loaf of Bread Machine White Bread, you’ll need the following:

Liquid Ingredients (add first)

  • 3/4 cups (180 ml) lukewarm water
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
  • 2 Tbsp. (28 g) butter

Dry Ingredients (on top of wet)

  • 2 3/4 cup (330 g) White Flour (All Purpose or Bread)
  • 2 1/4 Tbsp. (28 g) Sugar
  • 3/4 tsp. (5 g) salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp. (5 g) SAF Instant Yeast (or 2 tsp bread machine yeast)

© Ashley Adamant

Bread Machine Recipes

Looking for more bread machine recipes?

Bread Recipes

If you’re ready to make bread without a machine, I have a few more recipes for handmade bread too!

Bread Machine White Bread ~ Soft white sandwich bread fresh baked in a bread machine at home. Simple recipe for everyday white bread made at home in a bread machine.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. NancyMays

    Thanks for the recipe. I’ve had my machine for over 12 years but just retired and decided to get back to making bread again. I had no idea while my manual went. Your recipe is perfect and easy. Thanks. I’d love to have a recipe for cinnamon raisin bread for my machine. Thanks again.

    Reply

      • Mary

        I tried your white bread recipe, as I have had no luck with the one that came with my bread machine. I was pleasantly surprised how the dough was rising. It actually was touching the glass of lid. Should I back down on the yeast some?

        Reply

  4. Danilo Ang

    H there Ashley! I read your post with instant yeast being mixed with the water. I have an Oster expressbake bread machine and was told to mix it with the dry ingredients on top of the flour and warned of not putting it in the water. I ned a softer bread vs the one in an hour expressbake setting. Could you please enlighten me regarding this matter. I already bake 3 loaves already following their recipe. Maybe yours could be tastier and softer and fluffier. I hope this message will still reach you since the listing is over a year ago. Thank you so much.

    Reply

    • Lora

      @Danilo If you haven’t gotten an answer yet, you can put your yeast right in the water if you are going to start it right away. The reason for putting it on top of the flour is mainly to keep the yeast from activating before the bread machine starts. I love this recipe. I use the dough setting on my machine then take it out after the first rise, put it in a regular bread pan for 2nd rise then bake it in the oven. I don’t like the hole left in the bottom of the bread when it bakes in the machine.

      Reply

  6. D.

    Hi Ashley, I’m wondering if you’ve ever tried using SAF Instant Yeast in your bread machine using a whole grain flour, in particular Spelt flour. Or if you were to guess, would you think it would be the same method (adding the yeast in the water first, before putting in the flour and other ingredients)? Thanks very much.

    Reply

  7. gail

    Do you use all purpose flour. or bread flour? I did buy the vital ingredient to add to the flour that I already have?

    Reply

  8. Tom Jopling

    I found you do not need the paper manual as long as you have an internet connection. If needed, you can find most machine manuals online. As well, you may find hundreds of machine bread recipes online if you Google, MSN, FireFox or bing it (use your favorite search).

    Reply

  9. lisa

    I made this recipe exactly as instructed and the bread was a light brown color and dense rather than light an fluffy “white bread”. what do you think went wrong? could it be because I used bread flour or salted butter instead of unsalted? The recipe also did not indicate if the butter should be melted first so I added slices of butter. Thank you in advance for any advise or insight you can provide.

    Reply

  10. Sana Forrest

    I have an Andrew James machine and although we love the basic love it is a bit dense for a sandwich, so I shall give your recipe a go this afternoon. Watch this space for results!!!

    Do you have a cheese bread recipe per chance ?

    Reply

  11. Mona

    Hi I made your italian bread in my bread machine .
    With the SAF instant yeast.
    I have a sun beam make which has a capacity of 1.5 pound bread.
    Bread was soft. And tasty.
    But it proofed right to the top.,
    Then later the top collapsed and made a dent.
    Do I have to reduce the flour content and yeast.
    Please can you advise.
    I followed your recipe exact.
    This is the only yeast I have got in a one pound bag.
    I took out my bread machine ( gifted) after 10 years from the box.

    Reply

  12. Mona

    My bread machine capacity is only 1.5 pounds. How much flour and yeast should I reduce .
    I made it with your recipe but it proffer right up and then collapsed

    Reply

  13. Cooking Dad

    Excellent!!! Great recipe.Thank you for sharing. Your bread texture is really good. How if I use almond flour?

    Reply

    • Admin

      Almond flour is a completely different animal. Because it’s not a grain, it won’t act the same way as white flour.

      Reply

  14. Frank

    I just tried your recipe using 3 cups flour. 1 cup milk 1/4 cup water and two tsp yeast. How long did you let the yeast sit in the water before adding the rest? My loaf is 3/4 height.
    Thanks

    Reply

  15. CLAIREH11

    Hiya I just made your bread using this recipe in the UK. I made it using strong plain bread flour in my machine and it is THE BEST loaf I’ve made so far. So light and fluffy with the perfect crust. So happy I found your recipe.

    Reply

  18. Rebecca M

    Excited to give this a go! I’m guessing you add the butter in cold, but I wanted to be sure before I potentially bitched the loaf.

    Reply

  22. Sue

    Wow thank you so much, finally a decent bread recipe that actually worked in my bread maker. Super light and fluffy. Love this bread,

    Reply

  23. Peg Harsha

    I am gluten intolerant, and egg etc. I use rice four but have not tried bread making. Would love some bread and would buy a machine if I thought rice flour would work. What do u think. Bread less!!!

    Reply

    • Admin

      Sorry, I’m not a gluten-free baker, so I can’t really say whether or not it would work. I’m sure there are gluten-free bread machine recipes out there though!

      Reply

    • Kayla Brooks

      Bobs Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose flour 1 to 1 is some good flour I have been using for several years. Just replace the flour in your recipes for exact same amount with the 1 to 1. Dont know about bread machine use but worth a try. NOTE: do not add any guar gum or xanthum gum to recipe, 1 to 1 has xanthum gum in it to replace the gluten. Hope this helps. In some Walmart stores has Bobs Red Mill.

      Reply

  24. Hilda

    I use this receipt all the time. Love it. I use bread flour and I have always melted the butter first. It always runs out. It’s so good.

    Reply

  25. Joyce Rust

    i have 2 machines, my moms and my sisters, both are quite old but I am having fun making bread…my problem is one is only for 1 # loafs and I can’t find a recipe for white bread. .could you please help me out?

    Reply

    • Ashley Adamant

      To make a 1-pound recipe, you’d divide the quantities in the 2-pound loaf in half. Here are the amounts:

      Liquid Ingredients (add first)

      1/2 cups (118 ml) lukewarm water
      2 3/4 Tbsp. (40 ml) milk
      1 1/2 Tbsp. (21 g) butter

      Dry Ingredients (on top of wet)

      1 7/8 cup (225 g) White Flour (All Purpose or Bread)
      1 1/2 Tbsp. (19 g) Sugar
      1/2 tsp. (3 g) salt
      1 tsp. (3 g) SAF Instant Yeast (or 1 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast)

      Reply

  26. Terrance

    Made this today. The bread rose so much that it touched the lid. After a while it no longer was touching – it had deflated big time. I let it finish baking just to see what the inside was like. Any idea what happened? Used bread machine yeast and followed your directions – always done it that way.

    Reply

  27. Shay

    I love this recipe!!! I have to share the change I made. I read recently to add more milk so I changed to 2/3 cup canned milk and 2/3 cup water. So the amount of liquids is still the same.

    My youngest who never eats bread crust ate the end piece and said it was the best bread he’s ever ate. Thank you so much for your recipe!!! I would love to try your cinnamon raisin bread!!!

    Reply

  30. Carol Mister

    I bought the Saf-instant yeast. Do I use the same amount as regular yeast to my white bread machine recipe? First time making this. Thanks so much. Carol

    Reply

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