Bread Machine White Loaf

Method

1. 1

   Step 1: Load the Machine

   1. Fit the kneading blade into the bread pan.
   2. Put the yeast in the yeast dispenser. If your machine has no dispenser, put it in the bottom of the pan first, before the flour.
   3. Add the flour to the pan, then the butter (if using), sugar and salt, and pour the water in last.
   4. Low-fat version: Just leave the butter out; no other change is needed. The loaf still rises well on the Basic programme, but the crumb is a little chewier, the crust a little crisper, and it goes stale sooner, so eat it within a day or two, or slice and freeze it. For a softer crumb without the fat, try adding 1 tbsp skimmed milk powder with the flour.
   5. Tip: Weigh the flour and measure the water carefully. A bread machine is less forgiving than baking by hand.
2. 2

   Step 2: Set and Start

   1. Fit the pan into the machine and close the lid.
   2. Choose the Basic programme (Menu 1 on many machines), the same loaf size you picked for the ingredients, and your crust colour, then press Start.
   3. It takes about 4 hours to 4 hours 5 minutes. You can use the timer to have it ready for the morning.
3. 3

   Step 3: Turn Out and Cool

   1. When it finishes, lift the pan out straight away using oven gloves (it is very hot) and turn the loaf out onto a wire rack.
   2. If the kneading blade stays in the loaf, ease it out once the bread has cooled a little.
   3. Leave to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing, or the crumb will be gummy.

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