Here is my recipe for white bread or wheat bread in the bread machine. This recipe is tweaked from one that appears in the Allrecipes "Tried & True Favorites" cookbook. I've even made this bread on a rainy day and it rises fine. Just a really keeper recipe, hope it works as well for you. I don't like the way my bread machine bakes or loaf size so I use the dough cycle only then pour the dough into a prepared loaf pan (no extra kneading), let rise 30 minutes and bake it in the oven.
Easy Bread Machine White Bread or Whole Wheat Bread (delish)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees if using the dough cycle and then baking in oven. Prepare loaf pan by buttering it..
I spray my bread machine pan with Pam.
1 cup warm water 1 package dry yeast ( I use bottled active dry yeast or bread machine yeast 2-1/4 tsp per package called for) 3 tablespoons white sugar (or brown sugar, or honey)1/4 cup canola oil (or olive oil or veg. oil of choice, or melted butter/margarine)
3 cups white flour (or 3 cups whole wheat flour, no need to mix flours for rise) 1-1/2 tsp salt (don't decrease salt, this stabilizes the yeast to help keep bread from falling or separating near the top).Note: the first step in the instructions (adding the ingredients) is contrary to what most bread machine booklets tell you to do --- Do it the way I write it because this comes from the original recipe instructions.
- Place the water, sugar and yeast in the pan of the bread machine. Let the yeast dissolve and foam for 10 minutes (yes, 10 minutes, don't skimp).
- Add the oil, flour, and salt to the yeast mix.
- Bread Machine Baking: Select Basic or White Bread, push Start. OR For Oven Baking (this is the way I always bake it): Select Dough Cycle. When cycle is finished, pour dough from bread machine directly into greased loaf pan, let rise (covered with towel) for 30 minutes then remove towel and place in preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove it from the pan and let cool on a wire rack. Let cool at least 10 minutes before slicing. Easily slices with electric knife or serrated knife. After sliced, place in a ziplock bag or bread bag and store in a cool area.
Note: The white bread comes out a rather neutral taste so lends itself to variations of spices, sweetners, etc..