Butter Bread (Bread Machine, Dough Cycle, and Stand Mixer Instructions)

March 11, 2026

This easy bread machine butter bread is soft, fluffy, and perfect for sandwiches or toast. If you’re looking for a simple no-fail bread machine recipe, this one is a keeper. Just add the ingredients to your bread machine and let it do the work. This homemade butter bread has a soft crumb, rich buttery flavor, and slices beautifully. It’s a great everyday sandwich bread and works well for beginners or anyone who loves easy homemade bread.

Simple Butter Bread (Bread Machine Recipe)

2-lb Loaf

Add ingredients in this order (or according to your machine manual).

· 1 cup warm water (240 g)

· 1 large egg (50 g)

· 6 Tbsp melted butter (84 g)

· 4 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour (480 g)

· 2 tsp salt (12 g)

· 2 tsp yeast (6 g)

1.5-lb Loaf

· 3/4 cup warm water

· 1 large egg

· 4 1/2 Tbsp melted butter

· 3 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour

· 1 1/2 tsp salt

· 1 1/2 tsp yeast

1-lb Loaf

· 1/2 cup warm water

· 1 small egg or 1 egg with 1 Tbsp removed

· 3 Tbsp melted butter

· 2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour

· 1 tsp salt

· 1 tsp yeast

Bread Machine Instructions (Basic/White Cycle)

1. Add ingredients to the bread pan in the order recommended by your machine manufacturer (usually: liquids first, then dry ingredients, with yeast last).

2. Select the Basic or White Bread cycle and choose the loaf size if needed (1 lb, 1.5 lb, or 2 lb) and Light or Medium Crust setting.

3. Start the machine, then check the dough about 5–10 minutes into the kneading cycle:

o The dough should form a smooth, slightly tacky ball that’s not sticky or dry.

o If too wet and sticky, add 1 Tablespoon flour at a time until smooth. o If too dry or stiff, add 1 Tablespoon water at a time until the dough becomes soft and elastic.

4. Let the cycle run to completion.

5. When finished, remove the loaf from the pan, cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Bread Machine Dough Cycle (for Baking in the Oven)

1. Add ingredients to the bread machine in the order listed above.

2. Select the Dough Cycle and start.

3. After the kneading phase begins, check dough consistency and adjust with 1 Tablespoon flour or water as needed until a smooth ball forms.

4. When the cycle completes (usually 1 ½ hours), remove the dough and press out.

5. Shape into a loaf and place in a greased 8.5×4.5-inch or 9×5-inch pan. When making a 2 lb loaf, I bake in a 10x5 inch pan.

6. Let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

7. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 30–35 minutes, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F (88°C).

8. Brush with butter and cover with tea towel to cool for soft crust.

9. Cool before slicing for best texture and crumb.

Store in a beeswax bread bag at room temperature up to 3 days, or slice and freeze for longer storage.

Stand Mixer Instructions: Add all ingredients to the bowl and mix on low speed until combined. Knead on medium-low (speed 2–3) for 6–8 minutes, until smooth and slightly tacky. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise about 1 hour, or until expanded. Shape into a loaf, place in a greased 8½×4½" pan, cover, and let rise for about 30 minutes. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 30–35 minutes, until golden and the center reaches 190°F. Cool before slicing.

Printable Recipe!

*If you're looking for an alternative to plastic bread bags, our handmade beeswax bread bagsare a healthy way to store your bread! They are reusable, made of 100% cotton, infused with organic beeswax and jojoba oil, naturally antibacterial to keep your bread from molding, and handmade right here by me and my daughters on our family farm!