Simple, Classic, Homemade loaf of Basic White Bread in the Bread Machine is baking and the sweet smell fills my kitchen. This recipe proves that baking bread can be really easy.

The Best Place to Buy Your First Bread Machine

A few years ago I got rid of my old bread machine. I only ever used it to proof cinnamon roll dough. (probably because I didn't have the instruction booklet!) It's one of those appliances people get rid of. There I was, at a Thrift store, minding my own business, and brand new in the original box, NEVER OPENED, and yes, I had to have it. Oh my Gosh, the price tag was an astounding $12.99. It's a Kitchen Pro that originally sold at Kohl's for $119.00.

Several years later I found a Cuisinart, new in the box for less than 15.00. So if you aren't sure yet if you want to invest a ton of money, check the thrift stores and ebay. You'll find a good deal!

A Bread Machine is so EASY! You just dump the ingredients in and push the button.

For some reason I've thought of a bread machine as a way to cheat a traditional bread making process. But I've corrected the error of my thinking and now am embracing THE BREAD MACHINE. Automatic bread-making machines first made their debut in the mid 1980's so they're certainly a vintage means of baking. I recommend if you find a used one, that you find the original instruction book that comes with it.

Every Bread Machine is a little Different

I'll make a few recipes from the booklet that came in the box, just to get used to the new buttons. You'll have to get to know your buttons. Once you do, all of the bread machine recipes you find -will make sense.

Bread Machine Makes it Easy

IN this recipe, you just dump all of the ingredients in the pan, close the lid, pick the settings and click "Start." It mixes, proofs (rises the dough), and then bakes it! What a magical machine. If you want to make something with a little more difficulty, check out this National Festival of Breads winning recipe. https://thevintagecook.com/smokehouse-cranberry-cheese-bread/

Types of Yeast

While testing, the first two recipes I made were basically the same, except one was made with Bread Machine Fast Acting Yeast/Quick Rise and the other is made with regular Active Dry Yeast. Both loaves turned out well, but the recipe with INSTANT fast yeast had a more yeasty taste, which I don't favor for this type of basic bread. So the yeast of choice for this recipe is.... Red Star Active Dry Yeast. It will depend on the recipe which one is best. Red Star and Fleishmann's are great brands to use. This jar is to be stored in the refrigerator.

I like to buy it in a jar and keep it in the fridge. My bread machine has features to select which type of yeast you are using, so this method does take a little bit more time in the machine but it's worth allowing a whole process. After all, we are using a bread machine here, let it do the work while we lay back and chat!

When you bake bread from start to finish in the bread maker, you will have a small hole in the bottom of the bread.

Finished loaf of baked white bread showing hole in the bottom from the bread machine.

You'll also want to pull your bread out as soon as it's done baking to cool. As you can see, there is the small hole from the spinner. You never notice this once you turn the loaf back over and slice.

Try the recipes that come in the manual first

The booklet that comes with your machine has recipes that have been tested with the actual machine you have. Here was mine. Scroll to the bottom of this article and print the recipe. I've added some more details for you.

Ingredients

Special Notes

Why is there dry milk in bread recipes?

This recipe uses dry milk. Dry (Powdered milk) is used in some bread making recipes.

Here are some reasons why:

Enhances Flavor: Dry milk contains lactose, which provides a slightly sweet and milky flavor to the bread.

Improves Texture: The proteins and fat in dry milk help to create a softer feel.

They say it Increases Shelf Life because it contains enzymes that help to extend the shelf life by slowing down the staling process. This means that bread made with dry milk will stay fresher for longer than bread made without it. If you are concerned about it lasting longer, opt for vegetable oil or shortening in place of the butter or margarine.