granny's sweet bread

This is a modified recipe of my great grandmother's bread machine recipe. we usually busted this out around thanksgiving, where we'd basically eat it straight out of the machine with just a little butter.

Prep
10 min
Cook
3 hours
Total
3.5 hours
Servings
1 loaf
Difficulty
easy
breadbreakfastbread-machinesweetvegetarian

ingredients

Base Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar (increase to 1/2 cup for sweeter bread)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp butter (1/2 stick)

Sweet Add-ins (Choose One or Combine)

  • 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
  • 1 tsp cinnamon + 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 orange or 1 lemon
  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips

instructions

  1. Add ingredients to bread machine: Add ingredients in your bread machine manufacturer’s recommended order. Typically: liquids first (milk, then butter), then dry ingredients (flour, sugar, salt), making a small well in the flour for the yeast to go last.

  2. Select cycle: Choose the “sweet bread” or “basic” cycle on your bread machine. Most sweet bread cycles are 3-4 hours total.

  3. Add mix-ins: If using add-ins like raisins, chocolate chips, or dried fruit, add them at the “add-ins” beep (usually about 5 minutes before the end of the first kneading cycle). If your machine doesn’t have a beep, add them about 5 minutes before the first knead cycle ends.

  4. Monitor consistency: Watch the dough during the first few minutes of kneading. If it looks too dry and crumbly, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time. If it’s too wet and sticky, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.

  5. Let it work: Let the machine do its magic! It will knead, rise, and bake automatically.

  6. Cool the bread: When the cycle is complete, carefully remove the pan (it will be hot!) and turn out the loaf onto a wire rack. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

notes

  • Always follow your machine's recommended ingredient order - some prefer dry ingredients first, others wet first
  • Use "sweet bread" cycle if available - it kneads more gently to preserve tender crumb
  • Remove bread from pan immediately after baking to prevent soggy bottom
  • Cinnamon Raisin: Raisins + cinnamon + nutmeg. Orange Cranberry: Dried cranberries + orange zest + vanilla.
  • Increase sugar to 1/2 cup for dessert-like sweetness. Great for French toast or bread pudding!
  • Room temperature: 3-4 days in a bread bag. Frozen: Slice first, freeze up to 3 months.
  • Toast with butter and jam, or use for French toast (the sweetness makes incredible French toast!)

the bread machine noises stop out of nowhere, and then suddenly, your house smells like bread. never not makes me smile.