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    Home » Recipes » Bread Machine

    Bread Machine Italian Bread

    Published: Aug 6, 2021 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Jump to Recipe - Pin Recipe
    The loaf of italian bread in a bread basket on top, the flour and yeast in the bread machine pan on bottom.

    The very first recipe you should bake with your brand new bread machine is this classic Italian bread with a light and fluffy inside and a gorgeous crispy crust. This practical but delicious loaf has dozens of uses at your table and will be your favorite bread machine recipe you make again and again.

    A loaf of bread machine Italian bread sits in a basket next to a few sample wedges near a plate of olive oil for dipping.

    This is the recipe that started it all. I've been making this bread machine Italian bread for as long as I've had a bread maker, over 15 years!

    When I sat down to list the best bread machine recipes to add to my new bread machine cookbook, this was the very first bread I jotted down.

    My family has used it for everything from dunking into a steamy bowl of chicken soup, cutting it into chunks for dipping into olive oil as an appetizer or toasting for homemade croutons, slicing it for grilled sandwiches, or cubing it to make my mom's homemade Italian sausage stuffing.

    But if you're looking for something a little different, don't miss the Everything Bagel Bread!

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Serving Tips
    • 🌟Be a🌟SUPERSTAR🍞Baker
    • Recipe FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why This Recipe Works

    This has been my family's favorite bread recipe for so many years because:

    1. The Perfect Texture: It is hearty enough to hold up to dunking into soups but fluffy enough to make the best toast you've ever had.
    2. Short List of Ingredients: It's easy to keep everything you need on hand for last-minute baking.
    3. The Perfect Flavor: Yes, it's just a white bread, but it has the perfect balance of sweetness that lets you pair it with anything from sweet to savory dishes.
    4. The Flexibility: I love finding new ways to use this loaf. Be sure to check out some of the related recipes at the bottom!

    Ingredients

    This Italian bread has a very short list of ingredients that are easy to keep on hand:

    The ingredients for the Italian bread sit on a kitchen counter.
    • Bread Flour: We love the King Arthur Baking Company brand and buy it in bulk on their web site.
    • Instant Yeast: Bread machine yeast is fine, but it doesn't need to be specifically labelled as such. I prefer SAF-Instant or Fleischman's Instant yeast.
    • Milk: I use 2% in my bread baking. You could also use whole milk. Fat-free will have mixed results and should probably be avoided.
    • Butter
    • Egg
    • Sugar
    • Salt

    See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for quantities and printable instructions.

    Instructions

    Always check to be sure your bread pan paddles are in place before you begin. It is really difficult to place them once the ingredients are in the pan.

    Choose whether you want to make the 1.5-pound or 2-pound loaf and follow the ingredients listed for that size.

    Every bread machine recipe starts with the same steps:

    First, add the wet ingredients to the bread pan.
    Second, add the dry ingredients.

    The wet ingredients for the Italian bread have been put into the bread machine bread pan.

    Add the milk, egg, and softened butter cut into small chunks to the bottom of your bread pan fitted with the paddle attachments.

    Add the flour, sugar, and salt directly on top of the wet ingredients.

    Sprinkle the salt and sugar around the perimeter of the pan, keeping it away from the center of the flour.

    Use the back of a spoon to dig a small well in the center of the flour. Add the yeast in the well.

    The dry ingredients for the Italian bread have been added to the bread machine pan.

    Hint: By digging a well for the yeast and keeping the salt and sugar around the perimeter, you're ensuring that the ingredients are mixed at just the right moment in your bread machine.

    Place the bread pan inside your bread machine and shut the lid.

    Select the White program (or Basic program) and press START.

    The baked Italian bread sits in front of the bread machine pan.

    Equipment

    We tested this Italian bread in each of the five bread makers we tested during the course of producing the cookbook. It worked perfectly in each one.

    You can read our full reviews of the different models and see which one we think is the best bread machine for beginners. (COMING SOON.)

    • A copy of The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook sits on a wooden tray with a napkin and a plate of buttered toast.
      The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook

    Storage

    As with all from-scratch homemade breads, bread machine breads are best the day they are baked.

    If you want to save leftovers or bake it ahead, let the bread cool completely before storing it in an airtight container or in a bread box.

    The bread will last about 3 - 4 days but continue to lose texture. At the end of that zone you can use it to make:

    • french toast
    • breakfast strata
    • homemade croutons
    • homemade breadcrumbs
    • rip it up to use in a homemade stuffing
    A wedge of Italian bread is dipped into a plate of seasoned olive oil.

    Serving Tips

    You don't always need to slice the bread into sandwich slices, you could also slice it into finger-shaped wedges or cubes for serving in a bread basket at the dinner table.

    For a special treat, our family loves to add these olive oil seasonings to a small dish of olive oil with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

    Other fantastic recipes to serve this bread as a dunker or made into garlic toast include:

    • A bowl of Tuscan chicken soup with round noodles, tomato broth, and fresh veggies chopped up inside.
      Tuscan Chicken Soup
    • A white bowl of chicken noodle soup sits on a blue plate. There are wavy egg noodles and fresh parsley peeking out of the broth.
      Easy Crockpot Chicken Soup
    • A white bowl holds curly pasta coated in a creamy tomato sauce with crumbled sausage and parmesan sprinkled on top.
      Pasta Rosa with Sausage
    • A blue dutch oven has a wooden spoon stirring beef stew.
      Easy Stovetop Beef Stew

    I also love to use this bread recipe as the base for making these two essential dishes:

    • A baking dish filled with homemade sausage stuffing sits next to a striped towel.
      Italian Sausage Stuffing
    • A simple green salad is topped with shredded croutons and homemade croutons made from bread machine bread.
      How to Make Croutons From Bread

    🌟Be a🌟SUPERSTAR
    🍞Baker

    Dust off that bread machine and start making amazingly delicious home baked goodies for your family with a simple press of a button.
    ​
    I'll send you all the tips and recipes you need for turning out treats you didn't think were possible.

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      Recipe FAQs

      Can I substitute all purpose flour for the bread flour?

      In a pinch, this substitution is likely to work but your bread may not rise as high or have the same texture as it would with the bread flour.

      Is instant yeast the same thing as active dry yeast?

      No, these are two separate things. Instant yeast does not need to be proofed in warm water before using it, active dry yeast does. Instant yeast is perfect for bread machine baking because it is so quick and easy to use.

      Why didn't my bread machine bread turn out right?

      If you're having trouble with your bread baking properly, first be sure your yeast is fresh. If it is older than 6 months old, try starting with a new container of yeast. The recipe card includes weights for all the ingredients. If you're certain your yeast is fresh, it is a good idea to weigh your flour to make sure you have the proper ratio of liquid to flour to yeast.

      If you’ve tried this bread machine Italian bread recipe or any other recipe on PeanutBlossom.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
      FOLLOW along on Instagram @peanut.blossom as well as on  Pinterest and Facebook.

      📖 Recipe

      A loaf of bread machine Italian bread sits in a basket next to a few sample wedges near a plate of olive oil for dipping.

      Bread Machine Italian Bread

      4.64 from 19 votes
      This delicious Italian bread is the perfect partner for a hot bowl of soup or a simple sandwich. It will quickly become your favorite bread machine recipe.
      The recipe is featured in The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook.
      TOTAL TIME 3 hours 5 minutes
      PREP TIME 5 minutes
      COOK TIME 3 hours
      YIELD 1 .5-pound or 2-pound loaf
      PIN RECIPE FOR LATER PRINT RECIPE NOW

      Ingredients
        

      1.5-pound Loaf

      • ¾ cup (180 g) milk
      • 3 tablespoons (45 g) water
      • 1 large egg
      • 1 tablespoon (14 g) butter, softened and cut into pieces
      • 3 cups (411 g) bread flour
      • 1 teaspoon (6 g) sugar
      • ½ teaspoon (1.3 g) kosher salt
      • 1 ¼ teaspoon (3.7 g) yeast

      2-pound Loaf

      • 1 cup (240 g) milk
      • ¼ cup (60 g) water
      • 1 large egg
      • 1 ½ tablespoons (21 g) butter, softened and cut into pieces
      • 4 cups (548 g) bread flour
      • 1 ¼ teaspoon (5 g) sugar
      • ¾ teaspoon (4.5 g) kosher salt
      • 1 ½ teaspoon (4.5 g) yeast

      Instructions

      • Add the ingredients to your bread machine’s baking pan in the order listed from milk to yeast.
      • Choose the Basic or White program setting based on your machine’s options. Select the coordinating setting for your loaf size on your machine and press “Start.”
      • When the loaf is done, remove it from the bread pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

      Video

      Recipe Notes

      The bread should be removed from your bread machine within 10 minutes of the end of the baking cycle or the crust may start to get soggy from steam.
      Storage:
      The bread will keep for 3 - 4 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
      COURSEBread Machine
      CUISINEItalian-American
      AUTHORTiffany Dahle

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        Recipe Rating




      1. Jennifer EQ

        December 11, 2022 at 9:35 pm

        Not sure what kind of kosher salt is being used. I used Diamond Crystal, measuring it out exactly on a scale. It was wildly under seasoned. Even my husband who prefers a low salt diet commented on it.

        Reply
        • Tiffany Dahle

          January 06, 2023 at 11:40 am

          Hi Jennifer, I use Morton's Course Kosher Salt in my recipes, I'm sorry Diamond Crystal didn't work out well for you.

          Reply
      2. Patti

        March 04, 2022 at 2:08 pm

        Oh my, what a fantastic recipe! I’ve had my favorite Italian bread recipe that I’ve made forever, but decided to try something new. So, trolling through the internet, I found this one! First off, I love it when anyone gives weights as well as cups, tsp, etc. You even did it for the small liquids, which is highly unusual.
        The only thing I changed (I hate people who do this), but it was because of necessity, was using dry milk powder with the water, since I didn’t have fresh milk. TBH, I don’t keep milk in the house, except for unsweetened Almond Milk. It works when I cook sweet things, but not this, lol!
        I made the pound and a half, and it was just right. It had a good crumb, was good the night of making it, and the next day. I froze en, so it didn’t go to waste.
        I have a new favorite Italian Bread Recipe! 😋

        Reply
      3. Shanna C.

        November 07, 2021 at 1:54 pm

        Should the milk and water temperature be room, lukewarm or warm? Thanks!

        Reply

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      Hi, I'm Tiffany!
      I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for moms.

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