Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Step 1: Remove the insert from your bread machine before adding ingredients. This keeps spills out of the machine.
- Step 2: Pour in 1 and 1/4 cups warm water.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp sugar.
- Step 4: Add 2 and 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast. Stir gently, then set aside for 5 minutes to bloom.
- Step 5: Check your yeast mixture after 5 minutes. If it’s cloudy and bubbly, you’re good to go. If not, toss it and start fresh from step 1.
- Setp 6: Add 2 tbsp olive oil. Don’t stir.
- Step 7: Add 4 cups bread flour. Leave it sitting right on top of the wet mixture.
- Step 8: Make a small well in the flour. Add 2 tsp table salt, then cover it lightly with flour.This prevents early contact with the yeast which may potentially prevent your bread from rising.
- Step 9: Place the insert back in the machine.
- Step 10: Select the “white bread” setting and the 2 lb loaf size. Press start. My machine runs for 3 hrs 30 mins, so I like to set it around 1pm for fresh bread by dinner!
- Step 11: Once finished, carefully remove the insert with oven gloves. Turn the bread out onto a cooling rack. Don’t forget to remove the mixing paddle if it’s stuck in the bottom!
- Step 12: Let the loaf cool before slicing if you're planning to use it for sandwiches.
Video
Notes
We eat through a loaf in a day in our family, but if you manage to save some, slice it and freeze it in a freezer bag. Pull out slices as needed for grilled cheese or toast.
For softer crust, cover the loaf with a clean tea towel while it cools.
Swap in half whole wheat flour if you want a heartier loaf.
Serving Suggestions
This bread is best served once cooled so the crumb stays intact. Perfect for sandwiches, toast with jam, or alongside soup. If you’re in the mood for another comfort food dessert, check out my Budget Friendly Banana Pudding Trifle!Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.