Recipe
Making homemade bread in a bread machine is a rewarding experience that fills your kitchen with the delightful aroma of freshly baked bread. This recipe utilizes a blend of warm milk, softened butter, and bread flour to create a soft and fluffy loaf. The addition of quick-rise yeast guarantees that your dough rises efficiently, while sugar and salt enhance the overall flavor.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice, this straightforward recipe will help you create a delicious loaf that can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a meal.
Using a bread machine takes the guesswork out of the mixing and kneading process, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your cooking or baking. The machine’s precise temperature control and timing help guarantee that your bread rises perfectly and bakes evenly.
Feel free to experiment with different sweeteners or alternative oils to customize the flavor of your bread. With this basic recipe as your foundation, you can explore a variety of bread types and flavors, making it a versatile addition to your baking repertoire.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 Cups – Warm Milk (345 milliliters)
– 6 Tablespoons – Unsalted Butter (softened) (86 grams)
– 4 Cups – Bread Flour (480 grams)
– 2 Tablespoons – White Granulated Sugar (25 grams)
– 1 1/2 Teaspoons – Salt (9 grams)
– 1 Tablespoon – Quick-Rise Yeast
– 1 Egg (optional for added moisture and protein)
Cooking Instructions:
1. Begin by adding the warm milk and softened butter to the bread machine pan. Make sure the milk is warm but not hot, as excessive heat can kill the yeast.
2. Sprinkle the bread flour over the liquid ingredients, guaranteeing it covers the milk and butter completely.
3. In a separate small bowl, mix together the sugar, salt, and quick-rise yeast. Carefully add this mixture on top of the flour, making sure not to stir it in yet.
4. If using an egg, create a small well in the center of the dry ingredients and crack the egg into the well. This helps guarantee even distribution once the mixing begins.
5. Select the “dough” setting on your bread machine and start the cycle. The machine will mix, knead, and allow the dough to rise.
6. Once the dough cycle is complete, lightly flour your work surface and turn out the dough. Shape it into a loaf or desired shape as per your preference.
7. Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan or back into the bread machine if it has a baking option. Allow it to rise for about 30-45 minutes until it has doubled in size.
8. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if you’re baking in a conventional oven. Bake the bread for about 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
9. Remove the bread from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Extra Tips:
For best results, always use fresh ingredients, particularly yeast, as this can greatly impact the rise and texture of your bread. If you notice your bread not rising as expected, check the temperature of your liquids and guarantee they’re warm enough to activate the yeast.
Additionally, feel free to experiment with different types of flour or add-ins, such as herbs, spices, or other flavorings, to create unique variations of this basic recipe. Enjoy the process of making bread at home, and don’t hesitate to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste!
Final Thoughts
Although baking bread at home can seem challenging, using a bread machine simplifies the process and yields delicious results.
To maintain your bread machine, follow these essential care tips:
