This Buttermilk Bread Machine recipe makes a soft white sandwich loaf. Skip the hassle of kneading. Let your bread machine do the job instead. Shape the dough by hand and bake in your oven for a blue-ribbon loaf.
Combine all ingredients: ⅞ cup buttermilk, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1¼ teaspoon table or sea salt, 1½ tablespoon butter (finely chopped), 3 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoon bread machine or instant yeast into bread machine pan in the order listed above.
Select the DOUGH cycle and press START.
Check the dough at least twice during the mixing and kneading phase by lifting the lid to take a peek. The first time, look immediately after the machine starts mixing to ensure the paddles are engaged correctly. Look again 15 minutes into the DOUGH cycle to assess the consistency of the dough. For most recipes, the dough should stick to the side, then pull away cleanly.If your dough is too wet, add flour one tablespoon at a time.Conversely, if the dough is too dry, add one tablespoon of liquid at a time until the dough looks just right. Read more about this surprising secret to success with a bread machine here.
When the DOUGH cycle has finished, check the dough to be sure it has risen to double the original size. If so, remove the dough to a lightly-floured surface for shaping. If your kitchen is cold and the dough has not doubled in size, leave it in the pan until it does. Then remove it for shaping. If your kitchen is warm, check the size of the dough before the DOUGH cycle completes. The dough may need to be removed and shaped early to avoid overproofing.
Shaping and Second Rise:
Shape dough with your hands or a rolling pin into a rectangle roughly 14 x 10 inches. If dough is too elastic to shape, cover with a tea towel and let it rest for 10 minutes before trying again.
Be sure there are no large visible bubbles, especially on the sides of the rectangle. Press them out or pinch them with your fingers to avoid tunnels in your bread. Also, brush off any excess flour as you go.
Starting from the short side nearest you, roll the dough into a cylinder. Try not to stretch the dough, but neither should it be too loose. Pinch the seam shut and pull up the ends toward the seam and pinch them closed.
Turn the cylinder of dough over so you can see the smooth top. Drop it into a lightly greased 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pan or a 9 x 4 x 4-inch Pullman pan. Gently smoosh the dough with your palms to make it level throughout the pan.
Cover with a cheap shower cap or a tea towel. Let rise until peaking over the edge of the pan.
Baking:
About 15 minutes before you think your bread will be ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 °F (180˚C).
Brush the top of the loaf with melted butter. Make one slash down the middle with a sharp knife or a razor blade. Pop into the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 200 °F (93˚C).
Let cool for 5 minutes. Remove loaf from the pan and cool on a wire rack. To avoid squashing the loaf, let it cool at least 30 minutes before cutting.
Notes
Directions for making bread with a stand mixer or by hand:
To make this recipe in a heavy-duty stand mixer: Add ingredients to the bowl in the same order. Turn on LOW to mix until all ingredients are moistened. Then, using a dough hook, turn the speed to 2 or 3. Continue beating/kneading until dough becomes smooth and elastic (about 5-10 minutes). Cover and allow to rise in a warm place. Deflate dough gently and shape as indicated in the recipe.
If making by hand: Combine all ingredients into a shaggy ball in a large bowl. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead with your hands until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Kneading will likely take 10-20 minutes, depending on your experience. Place the dough ball into a greased bowl. Cover and allow to rise until double. Deflate the dough gently and shape as indicated in the recipe.
Please note: You can substitute active dry yeast for instant yeast. Dissolving it first is optional. Active dry yeast tends to rise slower initially but will catch up eventually.