Welbilt bread machines make it easy to enjoy homemade bread with minimal effort. With their reliable performance and simple controls, you can create a wide variety of loaves, from classic white to hearty whole grain and even sweet treats. Below, you’ll find a master recipe that forms the backbone for 22 delicious variations—perfect for anyone eager to explore the full potential of their Welbilt bread maker.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 cups bread flour
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Instructions
- Remove the bread pan from your Welbilt machine and ensure the kneading blade is properly attached.
- Add the water, butter, sugar, and salt to the pan.
- Carefully spoon the bread flour over the liquid, ensuring it covers the liquids completely.
- Make a small well in the center of the flour (without touching the liquid) and add the yeast.
- Insert the bread pan into the machine and lock it in place. Close the lid.
- Select the Basic or White Bread cycle (or your preferred setting for variations). Choose your preferred crust color: light, medium, or dark.
- Press Start. The machine will knead, rise, and bake the bread automatically.
- When the cycle completes (typically 3–4 hours), carefully remove the pan using oven mitts.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove the loaf and transfer it to a wire rack to finish cooling before slicing.
Tips
- Flour Substitutions: Swap up to half the bread flour for whole wheat flour for a denser, heartier loaf (add 1 tablespoon extra water).
- Mix-Ins: Add nuts, seeds, or dried fruit (up to 1/2 cup) after the first knead or when your machine signals for add-ins.
- Yeast: Use only active dry or bread machine yeast. Instant yeast works, but use slightly less (1 1/2 teaspoons).
- Measuring: For best results, spoon flour into your measuring cup and level off—don’t scoop directly, as this can lead to dense bread.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy freshly baked slices with butter, jam, or honey for breakfast or a snack.
- Use for sandwiches—classic ham and cheese, BLTs, or grilled cheese taste even better on homemade bread.
- Cube and toast leftover bread for homemade croutons or use in bread pudding.
- Pair with soups, stews, or salads for a hearty meal.
Variations
With this master dough, you can create 22 Welbilt bread machine recipes by adding, swapping, or tweaking a few ingredients. Here are the options, each with precise ingredient changes:
- Classic White Bread: Follow the main recipe as written.
- Whole Wheat Bread: Use 1 1/2 cups bread flour and 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour; add 1 tablespoon honey and 1 tablespoon extra water.
- Honey Oat Bread: Replace sugar with 2 tablespoons honey; add 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats with the flour.
- Raisin Cinnamon Bread: Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon with the flour; add 1/2 cup raisins at the mix-in beep.
- Cheddar Herb Bread: Add 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar and 1 tablespoon dried mixed herbs at the mix-in beep.
- Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Bread: Add 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil at the mix-in beep.
- Garlic Parmesan Bread: Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and 2 teaspoons garlic powder with the flour.
- French Bread: Use 3 cups bread flour, omit butter, use 1 1/4 cups water, and add 1 teaspoon sugar.
- Italian Herb Bread: Add 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder with the flour.
- Multigrain Bread: Use 2 cups bread flour, 1 cup multigrain cereal blend, and 1 tablespoon molasses instead of sugar.
- Potato Bread: Replace 1/2 cup flour with 1/2 cup instant potato flakes; reduce water to 3/4 cup.
- Milk Bread: Use 1 cup whole milk instead of water for a softer, richer loaf.
- Sweet Bread: Increase sugar to 1/4 cup and add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Banana Nut Bread: Replace water with 1 cup mashed ripe banana, reduce sugar to 1 tablespoon, and add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts at the mix-in beep.
- Apple Cinnamon Bread: Add 1/2 cup finely chopped apple and 1 teaspoon cinnamon with the flour.
- Onion Dill Bread: Add 1/4 cup finely chopped onion (sautéed and cooled) and 2 tablespoons dried dill weed at the mix-in beep.
- Herbed Olive Bread: Add 1/2 cup chopped pitted olives and 2 teaspoons dried rosemary at the mix-in beep.
- Chocolate Chip Bread: Add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips at the mix-in beep.
- Maple Pecan Bread: Replace sugar with 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup; add 1/2 cup chopped pecans at the mix-in beep.
- Seeded Sandwich Bread: Add 2 tablespoons each of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds at the mix-in beep.
- Spiced Pumpkin Bread: Replace water with 1 cup canned pumpkin, add 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, reduce sugar to 1 tablespoon.
- Lemon Poppy Seed Bread: Add 2 tablespoons lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons poppy seeds with the flour.
For each variation, follow the main instructions, adding mix-ins when your Welbilt beeps for add-ins (typically after the first knead). If your machine does not have a signal, add these ingredients with the flour by scattering them evenly.
Storage and Reheating
- Let bread cool completely before storing to prevent condensation and sogginess.
- Store at room temperature, tightly wrapped or in a sealed bag, for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, slice and freeze in an airtight bag for up to 2 months. Thaw slices at room temperature or toast directly from frozen.
- To reheat, wrap bread in foil and warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10–15 minutes, or toast individual slices as desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
- Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour in a pinch, but bread flour gives a chewier, higher-rising loaf due to its higher protein content. If using all-purpose, your bread may be slightly denser and less lofty, but still delicious.
- Why did my bread collapse or sink in the middle?
- This can happen if there is too much liquid, too little flour, or too much yeast. Always measure ingredients carefully, and avoid opening the lid during the rise. Also, high humidity can affect dough consistency, so adjust flour or water as needed for a soft, tacky (not sticky) dough.
- Can I use fresh ingredients like fruit or vegetables?
- Yes, but keep additions to 1/2 cup or less and drain or pat dry to avoid excess moisture. Too much moisture can make the loaf dense or cause it to collapse. For delicate fruits, add at the mix-in beep so they aren’t overmixed.
- How do I prevent the kneading blade from sticking in the loaf?
- Grease the blade lightly with oil before starting, or remove the blade after the last knead (if your machine allows). If the blade bakes into the bread, let the loaf cool, then gently twist and pull it out.
- My crust is too dark or too light—how can I adjust it?
- Welbilt machines have crust settings: light, medium, or dark. If your crust is too dark, use the light setting, and vice versa. If you prefer a softer crust, wrap the warm loaf in a clean kitchen towel as it cools.
- Can I make gluten-free bread in my Welbilt?
- Some Welbilt models have a gluten-free setting. Use a tested gluten-free bread machine recipe for best results, as gluten-free doughs require different ingredient ratios and mixing times. Check your machine’s manual for guidance.
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