Standard Bread Recipe

Every bread machine needs a go-to recipe, and this one earns that spot by being dead simple and consistently good.

A blend of bread flour and whole wheat flour gives you the best of both worlds: a strong, chewy crumb from the bread flour with a slightly nutty, wholesome depth from the whole wheat. A packet of active dry yeast, a tablespoon of sugar, and powdered milk round out the dough.

Just load the ingredients into your bread machine following the usual procedure and let the machine do all the work. Out comes a 1.5 pound loaf with a golden crust and soft, tender interior.

This is the kind of bread that makes the whole house smell like a bakery.

Kitchen Tips

• Add ingredients in the order your bread machine manufacturer recommends, as this varies by model
• Use hot water (not boiling) to help activate the yeast properly
• Powdered milk adds a subtle richness and helps the crust brown more evenly
• Check the dough ball during the first knead cycle; if it looks too dry or too wet, add a tablespoon of water or flour as needed