
Tired of the same old white bread from your bread maker? It’s time to expand your baking horizons! Your bread maker is capable of producing a wide variety of delicious loaves, from savory herb breads to sweet fruit-filled options. We’ve compiled five fantastic recipes that go beyond the basic, offering new flavors and textures to delight your palate and impress your family.
1. Hearty Whole Wheat & Honey Bread
This recipe delivers a wholesome and slightly sweet loaf, perfect for sandwiches or toast. The combination of whole wheat flour and honey creates a rich flavor profile and a satisfying texture. Ensure your whole wheat flour is fresh for the best results. This recipe is designed for a 1.5-pound loaf setting.
Ingredients include 1 cup warm water, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1.5 cups whole wheat flour, 1.5 cups bread flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 teaspoons active dry yeast. Add ingredients to your bread maker pan in the order recommended by your machine’s manual, typically liquids first, then dry ingredients, with yeast last. Select the whole wheat cycle and press start.
2. Savory Garlic & Herb Focaccia
Transform your bread maker into a focaccia factory with this simple yet incredibly flavorful recipe. This bread is excellent served with pasta dishes, soups, or as a base for sandwiches. The aroma alone will make your kitchen smell like an Italian bakery.
For a 1-pound loaf, you’ll need 1 cup warm water, 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for brushing), 2 cups bread flour, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1.5 teaspoons active dry yeast. Use the dough cycle. Once the cycle finishes, remove the dough, press it into an oiled baking sheet, dimple with your fingers, brush with more olive oil, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
3. Sweet Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Indulge your sweet tooth with this delightful cinnamon swirl bread. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat. The swirl adds a beautiful visual element and bursts of cinnamon sugar in every slice. This recipe works well on a sweet bread or basic cycle.
Ingredients for the dough: 1 cup warm milk, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 egg, 3 cups bread flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 teaspoons active dry yeast. For the swirl: 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Add dough ingredients to the bread maker. After the first kneading cycle, remove the dough, roll it into a rectangle, spread with melted butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, roll up tightly, and return to the bread maker for the remainder of the cycle.
4. Rustic Rosemary & Olive Bread
This Mediterranean-inspired bread brings the flavors of the garden and the grove to your table. Fresh rosemary and briny olives create a sophisticated loaf that pairs wonderfully with cheese, charcuterie, or simply a good quality olive oil for dipping.
You will need 1 cup warm water, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 cups bread flour, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary, 1/2 cup pitted and chopped Kalamata olives, and 2 teaspoons active dry yeast. Use the basic or white bread cycle. Add the olives and rosemary during the mix-in signal, if your machine has one, or after the first kneading cycle if adding manually.
5. Cheesy Jalapeño Cornbread
For a bread with a kick, try this cheesy jalapeño cornbread. It’s a fantastic accompaniment to chili, stews, or grilled meats. Adjust the amount of jalapeño to your preferred spice level. This recipe is best made on a rapid or quick bread cycle if your machine offers it, or a basic cycle.
Ingredients include 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar), 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 egg, 1 cup cornmeal, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1-2 finely diced jalapeños (seeds removed for less heat), and 2 teaspoons active dry yeast. Add ingredients to your bread maker. Add the cheese and jalapeños during the mix-in signal or after the first kneading. Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for optimal results.
- Always measure ingredients precisely, especially flour and yeast.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Check your bread maker’s manual for specific ingredient order.
- Adjust liquid slightly based on humidity and flour type.
- Allow bread to cool completely before slicing for best texture.