Soft, Fluffy, and Easy: Bread Machine White Bread for Beginners

This bread machine white bread recipe couldn’t be easier. Just throw the ingredients in and press start! This loaf is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or just on its own. Bread machine recipes are the easiest way to start making your own bread.

front shot of loaf with end cut off to reveal inside of bread.

I love baking bread in my house, but sometimes I don’t have the patience or the time. My bread machine might be my favorite appliance. Is that weird?

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

This recipe is designed for a bread machine, so you obviously need one. You’ll also want to use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for the best results.

overhead shot of bread machine and ingredients measured out.

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Equipment

  • Bread machine

Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm water, around 110°F
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 cups bread flour
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet

If you’d like to double or triple this recipe, you can make adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. But I recommend doing two separate batters since the machine can only handle one loaf at a time.

How to Make Bread Machine White Bread

Step One: Layer Ingredients. Add the ingredients to your bread machine pan in the manufacturer’s recommended order. Typically, start with the warm water, followed by the softened butter, sugar, and salt. Add the flour next, and finally, make a small well in the flour to place the yeast.

close up overhead shot of ingredients layered in machine.

Step Two: Select Settings. Choose the basic or white bread cycle on your machine. Set your crust preference (light, medium, or dark) and start the machine.

close up overhead shot of bread machine settings and buttons with basic selected and three hours and forty-five minutes as the timer.

Step Three: Let It Rise And Bake. Allow the bread machine to complete its cycle, which usually takes about 3 hours.

dough kneaded, risen, and baking in bread machine.

Step Four: Cool. Once finished, carefully remove the loaf from the pan and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 20-30 minutes before slicing.

close up angled shot of bread loaf cooling on wire rack.

Serving and Storing

Serve with jam or butter in the morning, alongside a hearty soup, like my creamy sausage and tortellini soup, or as the base for a classic grilled cheese.

Store your bread in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it fresh and delicious. This will help prevent it from drying out. Your bread should stay on the counter for about 3-4 days.

To freeze it, make sure your bread has cooled completely. You can freeze it whole or slice it up first. You can wrap each slice individually for quick access. Wrap the bread and place it in a freezer-safe bag. It should stay good for 2-3 months.

Questions and Troubleshooting

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

You can, but your bread might not rise as high and could become denser. Bread flour has a higher protein content, which gives the bread more structure. If you only have all-purpose flour on hand, use it! Just keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different.

My bread came out a little dry. What did I do wrong?

Hmm, a few things could be at play here. First, make sure you’re measuring your flour correctly—too much flour can lead to dry bread. If the dough seems dry during the kneading cycle, you can also try adding a tablespoon or two of extra water. Lastly, make sure you’re not overbaking the bread—keep an eye on it towards the end of the baking cycle.

Can I add other ingredients to this recipe, like herbs or cheese?

Absolutely! Once you get comfortable with the basic recipe, feel free to experiment. You can add herbs like rosemary or thyme, or add some shredded cheese for a savory loaf. Just be sure not to add too many extra ingredients, which could affect how the bread rises.

front shot of bread loaf sliced to reveal the inside with a slice lying down on the bottom left side.

More Bread Recipes

Printable Recipe

Bread Machine White Bread Recipe

If you’re new to bread making, this beginner-friendly bread machine white bread is the perfect place to start. The texture is soft and light, and the prep couldn’t be easier. Makes 1 loaf.
Print Recipe
cut loaf of bread machine white bread.
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:3 hours
Total Time:3 hours 5 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm water around 110°F
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 cups bread flour
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet

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Instructions

  • Layer ingredients. Add the ingredients to your bread machine pan in the manufacturer’s recommended order. Typically, start with the warm water, followed by the softened butter, sugar, and salt. Add the flour next, and finally, make a small well in the flour to place the yeast.
  • Select settings. Choose the basic or white bread cycle on your machine. Set your crust preference (light, medium, or dark) and start the machine.
  • Let it rise and bake. Allow the bread machine to complete its cycle, which usually takes about 3 hours.
  • Cool. Once finished, carefully remove the loaf from the pan and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 20-30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

If your dough seems too dry during the first kneading, add more warm water, one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too wet, add flour in small increments.
For an extra-soft crust, brush the top with melted butter as soon as the bread comes out of the machine.

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 293mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Vitamin C: 0.002mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 139kcal
Author: Katie

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By Katie Shaw

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Katie shares simple, reliable recipes from her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens.

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4 Comments

  1. Is this for a 2lb. loaf? My bread machine has 3 different settings, 1lb, 1.5lb, or 2lb. I selected 2lb so I hope it turns out ok lol.

5 from 1 vote

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