This Bread Machine White Bread recipe is simple, reliable and bakes up a beautifully soft, white loaf with a lovely crust every single time. Even better, the bread machine does the work for you, no kneading, no shaping, no stress!

There is almost nothing better than some freshly baked homemade bread. Soft, fluffy, lightly golden and sooooo perfect for breakfasts and brunches, sandwiches, back to school eats, moping up soups, french toasts and so much more.
And whilst I sometimes make it all by hand, I also need a shortcut on a busy days and weeks. Enter my bread machine which does aaaaaaaall the work. I pretty much add the ingredients, press a button, walk away and come back to the perfect Bread Machine White Bread.
If you like easy homemade bread and easy bread machine recipes, then check out this Bread Machine Cinnamon Raisin Bread too. It’s a favorite around here.
Table of Contents
Why Make This Recipe
Here’s why this delicious treat is such an regular for me:
- Perfect for beginners. No fancy techniques, no kneading, no mixing bowls.
- Minimal prep and effort: After about 15 minutes of prep, dump everything into the bread maker and the machine does all the rest.
- Budget friendly pantry staples: Uses every day and affordable pantry staples and is so much fresher than store-bought loaves. Win-win right?

Ingredient Notes and Variations
This recipe is simple, but I’ve shared a few swaps you can make if you want to avoid a grocery run.
- Warm water: Use warm water to activate the yeast. Hot water can kill the yeast. You can use warm milk for a richer loaf.
- Butter: I use melted butter for bakery-style softness. If using salted butter, then reduce the salt by about ¼ of a teaspoon. I use olive oil instead of butter too.
- Sugar: I use white sugar to help activate the yeast and add sweetness.
- Salt: Just use your regular salt, but reduce the amount if using salted butter.
- Flour: I think bread flour gives the best rise. All-purpose flour works too in a pinch but you will end up with denser flatter loaves. Please do make sure to measure flour correctly as if you have too much the loaf will be dense. If you have a kitchen scale, that’s first prize. If not then lightly spoon it into the cup then level it off. 1 cup is 125 grams.
- Yeast: This recipe calls for instant or bread machine yeast. Please do regularly check your yeast to make sure it is still active and works.
- Optional mix ins: You can mix in poppy seeds, flaxseeds, everything bagel seasoning, dried herbs like rosemary, basil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder.
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
How To Make Bread Machine White Bread
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Start by adding the the warm water, softened butter or oil, sugar, and salt into the bread machine pan.
- Add the bread flour on top, making sure the flour covers the liquid.
- Make a small well in the flour and add the yeast, or or you can add it via the yeast dispenser if your machine has one. This keeps the yeast from the salt and stops the yeast from mixing with the other ingredients, till needed.
- Place the pan into your bread machine and choose Basic or White Bread, Large loaf, your preferred crust (I like Medium Crust),
- Allow the machine to knead, rise, and then bake the loaf automatically.
- When done, remove the loaf from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack (for at least 45 minutes), then slice and serve.

Bintu’s Tips and Tricks
So with this being on repeat a lot, I’ve got it down pat and have a few tips to share.
- You need warm water to activate the yeast. Hot water can kill the yeast.
- Different bread machines have different settings. And programme names can vary by brand. So do check the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure to use a setting that requires adding yeast.
- Some friends sub up to ¾ cup of bread flour for whole wheat flour, but this makes the bread a little denser. Let me know if you try this.
- If you like, you can brush some softened butter over the warm loaf.
- Avoid an over-brown crust. Simply select a lighter crust if your machine tends to run hot.
- Store ingredients like flour in tightly sealed food containers to help them last longer. Airtight storage keeps moisture out and protects your ingredients from pests, dust, and other contaminants.
- Feel free to add raisins or dried fruit or other mix-ins into the bread machine’s fruit dispenser, or add them when the machine beeps during the kneading stage if you prefer.
- I have not tried this specific white bread machine recipe with gluten free flour. Please come back and let me know if you do.

Storage
- Store: Keep the cooled bread, in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. I find that wrapping it in plastic wrap keeps it moist. Avoid refrigerating as this will dry out the bread faster.
- Freeze: Wrap the cooled whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil and then add to an air tight containers for up to 3 months. I also love freezing individual slices the same way, perfect for quick breakfasts and snacks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Serving Suggestions
I love this Bread Maker White Bread as is or toasted, however I also serve it warm with some butter or honey butter, or drizzle on some melted chocolate, honey and this Cream Cheese Fruit Dip. I use it to make an easy sweet breakfast sandwiches as well as an awesome Gingerbread French Toast Casserole.
It goes well with Strawberry Sweet Tea as well as this Chai Tea Latte and family favorite Party Punch.
Other Recipes You Might Like
If you love this, then you might want to check out these other recipes.
- We make this Bread Machine Banana Bread a lot.
- Kids love making these Stuffed Croissants Breakfast Boats.
- Pull out the Air Fryer for these Puff Pastry Breakfast Bites.
- I am a fan of these Peanut Butter Jelly Baked TikTok Oats.
- The kids also love this Bread Machine Cinnamon Raisin Bread.
FAQs
Can I use oil instead of butter?
You totally can use a neutral-flavoured oil. You will end up with a softer loaf.
Can I use all-purpose flour instead?
Bread flour gives the best rise and texture, but all-purpose flour can be used in a pinch. Try it and see what you think
Why did my loaf come out short?
Check that your yeast is fresh and avoid adding too much flour.
Why did my loaf rise too much?
You may have added too much yeast.
Tools To Make This
- I use the awesome Panasonic SD-ZB2502 Machine.
- Measuring cups and spoons to make sure you use the right amounts.
- And for the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon!
Did you make this recipe? Then I would love to hear how it turned out. Please leave a comment and star rating below. And I really appreciate you sharing this recipe with your family and friends. Enjoy every mouthful 😊🍲 – Bintu
Get The Bread Machine White Bread Recipe

Bread Machine White Bread
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups (300 ml) warm water
- 3 tablespoons softened butter or neutral oil
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 4 cups (500 g) strong white bread flour
- 2¼ teaspoons instant or active dry yeast
Instructions
- Add the warm water, butter, oil, sugar, and salt to the bread machine pan.
- Add the bread flour on top, ensuring it fully covers the liquid.
- Make a small well in the flour and add the yeast, or place it in the yeast dispenser if your machine has one.
- Select the basic or white bread cycle on your bread machine.
- Choose your preferred crust setting.
- Press start and allow the machine to fully knead, rise, and bake the loaf.
- Once complete, remove the loaf from the machine and cool on a wire rack for at least 45 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- You need warm milk to activate the yeast. Hot milk can kill the yeast.
- If your machine allows, they you can create a swirl loaf by sprinkling cinnamon sugar mid-cycle.
- I am a fan of adding in a citrus twist with some orange or lemon zest/
- Different bread machines have different settings. And programme names can vary by brand. So do check the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure to use a setting that requires adding yeast.
- Some friends sub up to ¾ cup of bread flour for whole wheat flour, but this makes the bread a little denser. Let me know if you try this.
- If your machine does not have a mix in setting then, then add the raisins in at the beginning and they will mix in as the dough mixes.
- If you like, you can brush some softened butter over the warm loaf and you can sprinkle on some cinnamon sugar too.
- Avoid an over-brown crust. Simply select a lighter crust if your machine tends to run hot.
- Store: Keep the cooled bread, in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze: Wrap the cooled whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil and then add to an air tight containers for up to 3 months.




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