Savory White Bread Abm

A flexible bread machine recipe that’s really a template. The two tablespoons of dried aromatic at the end is your customization spot: dried minced onion for everything-bagel-style, garlic for serious savory bread, sun-dried tomatoes for Italian flair, or mixed dried herbs for an aromatic baking-day loaf.

An egg in the dough is the unusual touch that bumps this above standard white bread. It adds richness, a slightly golden interior color, and softer crumb. Combined with the olive oil and milk powder, the bread bakes up almost brioche-like in tenderness, though still firmly in white-bread territory.

Dried milk powder is the smart move for bread machines. Instead of using fresh milk (which can cause inconsistency depending on temperature), the dried powder reconstitutes during baking and gives reliable results every time. Don’t substitute fresh milk and reduce the water unless you adjust temperatures carefully.

Load ingredients in the order listed (wet under dry, yeast on top kept away from salt) and run the white bread cycle. Two hours later you’ll have a fresh loaf with whatever flavor you chose.

Pro Tips

• Pull the kneading paddle before the final rise if your machine allows. Saves you a hole in the bottom of the loaf.
• Brush the warm loaf with melted butter for a glossy soft crust.
• If using sun-dried tomatoes, rehydrate them in warm water first or use oil-packed variety drained well.
• Cool completely on a rack before slicing for clean cuts.

Variations

• Add 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan to the dough for cheesy bread.
• Use 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning instead of single herbs for a more complex herb blend.
• Stir in ¼ cup chopped olives for Mediterranean-style bread.