Basic White Bread (Bread Maker)

This is a bread recipe I have been using for years. I did do a little tweaking to the recipe to fit my own taste, so I'll show the recipe how I first found it, and then I'll show it with the changes I've made.


1 1/4 cup milk
3 cups white flour
2 tbsp white sugar
1 tbsp butter
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp dry active yeast


Put ingredients into bread maker in order listed. Press start!

*My bread maker has a setting for a 1lbs loaf and a 1 1/2lbs loaf. If yours is the same, you want to set it for a 1 1/2lbs loaf.

I have always like the way my bread turns out when it's baked on the rapid setting.


Now for the recipe with the few changes I made:

1 1/3 cup milk
3 cups white flour
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp white sugar
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp dry active yeast

Put ingredients into bread maker in order listed. Press start!

Bagels (Bread Maker)

I just made my second batch of these this morning, and they turned out just as good as the first time. They are soft and chewy and freeze beautifully, which is great because the recipe makes 12 bagels. You can try out different flavours too, put in a few teaspoons of cinnamon and when your bread maker beeps mid cycle, add some raisins. Or put in some onion powder and garlic at the beginning, and and some cheese mid cycle. Or sprinkle cheese on top of the bagels before baking. Whatever flavours you like, give them a try!


1 cup and 2 tbsp water
4 cups flour
2 tsp salt
2 1/2 tbsp white sugar
4 tsp dry active yeast
1 tbsp brown sugar


1. Put ingredients into bread maker in the order listed. (except brown sugar)

2. When the cycle is over, place dough on a lightly floured surface. Cover with a clean kitchen cloth and let rest for 5 minutes.

3. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece of dough into a 10 inch long rope. Form each rope into a circle. Overlap the ends slightly and pinch together. Cover shaped bagels with a clean kitchen cloth and let rest for 10 minutes.

4. Bring 12 cups of water to boil in a large saucepan. Stir in 1 tbsp of brown sugar.

5. Carefully drop the bagels one at a time into the boiling water. Let sit for 1 minute and remove with a slotted spoon. Drain briefly on a clean cloth.

6. Transfer to a baking sheet which has been lightly sprinkled with cornmeal. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

English Muffins (Bread Maker)

This recipe was shared by my friend Laura. We are both big fans of our bread makers, and because the bread maker does half of the work for you, these are really easy (and delicious) to make! Make a whole bunch even if you're not going to eat them right away, because they freeze beautifully.


1 cup milk
3 tbsp butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp dry yeast
cornmeal

1. Put ingredients in the bread machine in the order listed (not including the cornmeal). Start the dough cycle.

2. When the cycle is finished, sprinkle cornmeal over your work area. Use your hands to pat the dough into a 1/2 inch think rectangle. Turn the dough so that each side gets lightly coated in cornmeal.

3. Cut into 8 to 10 rounds. An empty tuna can works well. When you run out of dough gather up the trimmings and cut more rounds. Place rounds on a baking sheet, cover and let rise for 20-30 minutes, until not quite double in size.

4. Heat a cast iron skillet or griddle over a low flame. Cook the muffins for about 5-7 minutes on each side. They should be golden brown when you turn them.

5. Split the muffins with a serrated knife and serve warm. These freeze well and can be reheated in the microwave or toasted.