Bread Machine Recipes: 16 Push-Button Loaves and Doughs for Holiday Gifts and Weeknights

These bread machine recipes are for everyone with a bread maker hiding in the cupboard, or anyone who spots one at the thrift store this weekend. Homemade bread is having a big moment online, and one simple homemade loaf video on Instagram has passed 13.7 million views. A bread machine makes it almost too easy: measure the ingredients, press start and walk away while the house fills with that bakery smell. Below you will find everyday loaves, holiday gift breads, dough cycle doughs for pizza and rolls, and even jam, plus fixes for sunken or dense loaves. For a classic starting point, Allrecipes’ best bread machine bread is a reader favorite. Dust off that machine and pick a loaf..

Bread Machine Recipes: Dump, Press Start, Walk Away

If there is a bread machine in your cupboard or at your local thrift store, you are 5 minutes of measuring away from a warm loaf. Dump the ingredients in, press start, and the house smells like a bakery by lunch. The one rule that matters most is the order: liquids first, then flour, then yeast on top, kept dry until mixing starts. Do you have a bread machine: A: yes, I use it, B: yes, it is hiding or C: not yet?..

You will need: For a 1 1/2 lb loaf: 1 cup warm water (about 110 F), 2 tbsp soft butter or oil, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 3 cups bread flour, 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) instant or bread machine yeast.

How to make it: 1. Pour the water into the bread pan. 2. Add the butter, sugar and salt in the corners. 3. Spoon the flour on top so it covers the liquid. 4. Make a small well in the flour and add the yeast. 5. Choose the basic setting, 1 1/2 lb loaf and medium crust, and press start. 6. Remove the loaf right after baking and cool on a rack 1 hour before slicing.

Bread Machine Recipes Start Here: Soft White Sandwich Loaf

This is the everyday loaf that makes store-bought bread seem sad. A little milk and butter keep the crumb soft for days, so it slices thin for sandwiches and toast. Tip: measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling it, because packed flour makes a dense loaf. Would you use it for A: toast or B: sandwiches?

You will need: 1 cup warm milk, 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 3 cups bread flour, 2 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast.

How to make it: 1. Add the warm milk and butter to the pan. 2. Add the sugar and salt. 3. Add the flour. 4. Make a well and add the yeast. 5. Set to basic, 1 1/2 lb, light or medium crust, and start. 6. Cool completely before slicing.

Everyday Bread Machine Recipes: Honey Wheat Bread

Honey wheat is the loaf people buy most at the bakery, and the machine makes it for pennies. Half whole wheat and half bread flour keeps it light, and honey adds a gentle sweetness. Tip: use the whole wheat setting if your machine has one, because it gives the heavier flour a longer rise. Is honey wheat your family’s favorite?

You will need: 1 1/8 cups warm water, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp oil, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 1/2 cups bread flour, 2 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast.

How to make it: 1. Add the water, honey and oil to the pan. 2. Add the salt. 3. Add both flours. 4. Make a well and add the yeast. 5. Choose the whole wheat setting, 1 1/2 lb loaf, and start. 6. Cool on a rack before slicing.

Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Cinnamon raisin toast with butter is pure comfort on a cold morning, and it is one of the most loved bread machine recipes. Most machines beep when it is time to add fruit, so the raisins stay whole. Tip: toss the raisins in a spoonful of flour so they do not sink. It makes amazing French toast too. Do you like it A: toasted with butter or B: plain?

You will need: 1 cup warm milk, 2 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp salt, 3 cups bread flour, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 2 1/4 tsp yeast, 3/4 cup raisins tossed in 1 tbsp flour.

How to make it: 1. Add the milk and butter. 2. Add the brown sugar and salt. 3. Add the flour and cinnamon. 4. Make a well and add the yeast. 5. Choose the sweet or basic setting with raisin add-in and start. 6. Add the raisins at the beep and cool before slicing.

Cheddar Jalapeno Loaf

Of all the savory bread machine recipes, this loaf is the one to bake next to chili and soup. Sharp cheddar and a little chopped jalapeno go in at the add-in beep, so you get pockets of melted cheese and a gentle kick. Use pickled jalapenos for less heat. Tip: shred the cheese yourself so it melts better. Mild or spicy at your house?

You will need: 1 cup warm water, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 1/4 tsp salt, 3 cups bread flour, 2 1/4 tsp yeast, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, 2 tbsp chopped jalapeno.

How to make it: 1. Add the water and butter. 2. Add the sugar and salt. 3. Add the flour. 4. Make a well and add the yeast. 5. Choose basic with add-in and start. 6. Add the cheddar and jalapeno at the beep, then cool before slicing.

Italian Herb and Parmesan Bread

Garlic, Italian herbs and Parmesan turn a plain loaf into the bread everyone grabs at a pasta dinner. It is one of those bread machine recipes that makes the whole house smell incredible. Slice it thick and toast it with butter for quick garlic bread. Would you serve it with A: pasta or B: soup?

You will need: 1 cup warm water, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 3 cups bread flour, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 2 1/4 tsp yeast.

How to make it: 1. Add the water and olive oil. 2. Add the sugar and salt. 3. Add the flour, Parmesan, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. 4. Make a well and add the yeast. 5. Choose basic, 1 1/2 lb, and start. 6. Cool before slicing.

Brioche-Style Egg Bread

Eggs and extra butter make this loaf tender, rich and golden, almost like a bakery brioche. It makes the best French toast and holiday breakfast sandwiches. Tip: use the sweet bread setting, which bakes at a lower heat so the crust does not get too dark. Is French toast a weekend tradition at your house?

You will need: 1/2 cup warm milk, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup soft butter, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp salt, 3 cups bread flour, 2 1/4 tsp yeast.

How to make it: 1. Add the milk and eggs. 2. Add the butter in pieces. 3. Add the sugar and salt. 4. Add the flour and make a well for the yeast. 5. Choose the sweet setting, light crust, and start. 6. Cool on a rack before slicing.

Holiday Bread Machine Recipes: Cranberry Orange Loaf

Dried cranberries and fresh orange zest make a festive loaf that is perfect for holiday breakfasts and gifts. Wrap a loaf in parchment and tie it with ribbon for neighbors and teachers. It is one of the best holiday bread machine recipes. Tip: add a simple orange glaze once it cools. Would you keep it or gift it?

You will need: 1 cup warm milk, 2 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp salt, 3 cups bread flour, zest of 1 orange, 2 1/4 tsp yeast, 3/4 cup dried cranberries. Glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tbsp orange juice.

How to make it: 1. Add the milk and butter. 2. Add the sugar, salt, flour and orange zest. 3. Make a well and add the yeast. 4. Choose sweet with add-in and start. 5. Add the cranberries at the beep. 6. Cool completely and drizzle with the glaze.

Pumpkin Spice Yeast Bread

Fall bread machine recipes do not get cozier. Canned pumpkin gives this loaf a pretty orange color and a soft, moist crumb, and pumpkin pie spice makes it taste like fall. It is not a cake-like quick bread but a real yeast loaf for toast and sandwiches. Tip: canned pumpkin adds moisture, so start with less water and add a spoonful at a time if the dough looks dry. Pumpkin season or all year?

You will need: 1/2 cup warm water, 3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree, 2 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 1/4 tsp salt, 3 1/4 cups bread flour, 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 2 1/4 tsp yeast.

How to make it: 1. Add the water, pumpkin and butter. 2. Add the brown sugar and salt. 3. Add the flour and spice. 4. Make a well and add the yeast. 5. Choose basic or sweet and start. 6. Check the dough after 5 minutes and add a spoonful of water if it is too stiff.

Bread Machine Recipes for the Dough Cycle: Pizza Dough

The dough cycle mixes, kneads and rises the dough for you in about 90 minutes, then you shape and bake it in the oven. Pizza dough is the best place to start. One batch makes two medium pizzas or one big sheet pan pizza. Friday pizza night just got a lot easier. What is your favorite topping?

You will need: 1 cup warm water, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 3 cups bread flour, 2 1/4 tsp yeast. Toppings: pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni or vegetables.

How to make it: 1. Add the water, oil, sugar and salt. 2. Add the flour and yeast. 3. Run the dough cycle. 4. Heat the oven to 475 F. 5. Divide and stretch the dough on oiled pans and add the toppings. 6. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden.

Dough Cycle: Soft Dinner Rolls

Many bread machine recipes end in the oven. Let the machine make the dough, then shape it into soft rolls for Thanksgiving or Sunday dinner. They rise once in the pan and bake in about 15 minutes. Brush with melted butter as soon as they come out. Tip: weigh the dough so the rolls are all the same size and bake evenly. How many rolls would your family eat?

You will need: 1 cup warm milk, 1 egg, 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp salt, 3 1/4 cups bread flour, 2 1/4 tsp yeast, 2 tbsp melted butter for brushing.

How to make it: 1. Add the milk, egg and butter, then the sugar, salt, flour and yeast. 2. Run the dough cycle. 3. Divide into 15 pieces and roll into balls. 4. Set in a greased 9×13 pan, cover and let rise 30 to 40 minutes. 5. Bake at 375 F for 15 to 18 minutes. 6. Brush with melted butter.

Dough Cycle: Cinnamon Roll Dough

A soft, buttery dough from the machine makes the best homemade cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. Roll it out, spread with cinnamon sugar and butter, roll up and slice. You can even shape them the night before and bake in the morning. Frosting: A: cream cheese or B: simple glaze?

You will need: Dough: 3/4 cup warm milk, 1 egg, 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp salt, 3 cups bread flour, 2 1/4 tsp yeast. Filling: 1/3 cup soft butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon. Frosting: 4 oz cream cheese, 2 tbsp butter, 1 cup powdered sugar.

How to make it: 1. Add the dough ingredients in order and run the dough cycle. 2. Roll into a 12 by 16 inch rectangle. 3. Spread with butter and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. 4. Roll up and cut into 12 slices. 5. Let rise in a greased pan 30 minutes and bake at 350 F for 22 to 25 minutes. 6. Beat the frosting ingredients and spread on the warm rolls.

Quick Bread Cycle: Banana Bread

Not all bread machine recipes use yeast. Many machines have a quick bread or cake setting, and banana bread is the perfect test. No yeast, no rising, just mix and bake right in the pan. It is a great way to use up spotty bananas. Tip: check with a skewer at the end, and add 5 to 10 minutes on bake-only if the center is still wet. Love brown bananas? See our banana bread recipes. Nuts or no nuts?

You will need: 3 ripe bananas mashed, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional).

How to make it: 1. Add the bananas, eggs, butter, sugar and vanilla to the pan. 2. Mix the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and add on top. 3. Add the nuts. 4. Choose the quick bread or cake setting and start. 5. Scrape the corners once during mixing with a rubber spatula. 6. Test the center with a skewer and cool 15 minutes before removing.

Gluten-Free Cycle Loaf

If someone at your table eats gluten free, these bread machine recipes still work for them, because the gluten-free cycle is a big help. It mixes once and skips the second knead, which gluten-free dough does not need. Use a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum. Tip: the batter looks more like thick cake batter than dough, and that is normal. Does anyone in your family eat gluten free?

You will need: 1 1/4 cups warm milk, 3 eggs, 1/4 cup oil, 1 tsp cider vinegar, 3 tbsp sugar, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 3 1/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend with xanthan gum, 2 1/4 tsp yeast.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the milk, eggs, oil and vinegar and pour into the pan. 2. Add the sugar and salt. 3. Add the flour blend. 4. Make a well and add the yeast. 5. Choose the gluten-free setting and start. 6. Scrape the sides once while mixing and cool completely before slicing.

Bonus Bread Machine Recipes: Strawberry Jam

Surprise: many bread machines have a jam setting that stirs and cooks the fruit for you, no standing over a hot stove. Strawberry jam takes about an hour and keeps in the fridge for about three weeks. It is a sweet bonus among bread machine recipes. Have you ever used the jam button?

You will need: 2 cups chopped fresh or thawed strawberries, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 1/2 tbsp powdered pectin, clean jars.

How to make it: 1. Put the strawberries in the bread pan. 2. Sprinkle with the pectin and stir. 3. Add the sugar and lemon juice. 4. Choose the jam setting and start. 5. Carefully ladle the hot jam into clean jars. 6. Cool, cover and refrigerate up to 3 weeks.

Fix Sunken Tops and Dense Loaves

A sunken top usually means too much yeast or liquid, so measure carefully and use a little less water on humid days. A dense, short loaf means old yeast or too much flour. Check the dough after 5 minutes of kneading: it should form a smooth, soft ball. Which of these bread machine recipes will you bake first?

You will need: Measuring cups and spoons, a kitchen scale (optional), fresh yeast, a rubber spatula, a little extra flour and water for adjusting.

How to make it: 1. Measure flour by spooning and leveling, or weigh it. 2. Check the yeast date. 3. Open the lid after 5 minutes of kneading. 4. If the dough is sticky, add 1 tbsp flour. 5. If it is dry and lumpy, add 1 tbsp water. 6. Close the lid and let the machine finish.