This simple bread machine recipe yields a delicious 1 1/2 pound loaf of bread, perfect for sandwiches or toast. With just a few basic ingredients, you can enjoy freshly baked bread at home without the hassle of manual kneading.
The process is straightforward and ideal for beginners. Customize your loaf by adding herbs, seeds, or nuts to enhance the flavor.
Creating the Perfect Loaf
Making a 1 1/2 pound loaf of bread at home is a delightful experience. The aroma of freshly baked bread fills the kitchen, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
This recipe is designed for a bread machine, making it accessible for anyone, regardless of baking experience. With just a few simple ingredients, you can achieve a soft and fluffy loaf that is perfect for sandwiches or toast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is essential for a successful loaf. You’ll need warm water, sugar, vegetable oil, bread flour, salt, and bread machine yeast. Each component plays a vital role in the bread-making process.
The warm water activates the yeast, while sugar provides the necessary food for fermentation. Vegetable oil adds moisture, and bread flour gives the loaf its structure. Salt enhances flavor, rounding out the taste profile.
The Baking Process
Begin by pouring the warm water into the bread machine pan. Follow this by adding sugar and oil, then carefully layer the bread flour on top. It’s important to place the yeast on top of the flour to ensure it activates properly during the mixing process.
Once everything is in the pan, close the lid and select the appropriate settings on your bread machine. Opt for the ‘Basic’ or ‘White Bread’ setting, ensuring you choose the 1 1/2 pound loaf size and your preferred crust color.
Timing is Key
The entire process takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes, including preparation and baking time. Patience is essential as the machine does its work, transforming simple ingredients into a golden-brown loaf.
After the baking cycle is complete, carefully remove the bread from the pan. Allow it to cool on a wire rack before slicing. This step is crucial, as it helps maintain the loaf’s texture and prevents it from becoming gummy.
Serving Suggestions
Once cooled, slice the bread to reveal its soft and fluffy interior. Serve it warm with a small dish of butter and a jar of homemade jam for a delightful treat.
This combination not only enhances the flavor but also makes for a comforting snack or breakfast option. Enjoying a slice of freshly baked bread with butter and jam is a simple pleasure that brings joy to any meal.
Customizing Your Bread
One of the great aspects of this recipe is its versatility. Feel free to customize your loaf by adding herbs, seeds, or nuts to the dough before baking. This can elevate the flavor profile and make each loaf unique.
Experimenting with different ingredients allows you to create a bread that suits your taste preferences. Whether you prefer a classic loaf or something with a bit more character, the possibilities are endless.
Easy Bread Machine Recipe for a 1 1/2 Pound Loaf
This recipe produces a soft and fluffy loaf of bread with a golden crust. It takes about 3 hours from start to finish and is perfect for serving with meals or enjoying with butter and jam.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (110°F to 115°F)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons bread machine yeast
Instructions
- Add Ingredients: Pour the warm water into the bread machine pan. Add sugar and oil, followed by bread flour, salt, and yeast. Ensure the yeast is placed on top of the flour.
- Select Settings: Close the lid and select the ‘Basic’ or ‘White Bread’ setting on your bread machine. Choose the 1 1/2 pound loaf size and the crust color preference.
- Start the Machine: Press ‘Start’ to begin the mixing and baking process.
- Cool the Bread: Once the baking cycle is complete, carefully remove the bread from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Servings: 12 slices
- Calories: 120kcal
- Fat: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 22g