This 3-Minute Bread Machine Recipe from Joanna Gaines Is the Next Thing You Should Bake
Lauren Cahn
The cold weather has me longing for simple, satisfying foods—the kind my nana’s nana made for her family to stave off the bone-chilling Russian winters. Since old-world soups like Russian borscht and cabbage soup are practically in my DNA, they’re frequently simmering on my stove.
Unfortunately, what’s not in my DNA is the home-baked bread those soups demand, and this winter, I decided it was time for a change. So I set about searching for a great recipe for home-baked bread that wouldn’t take all day to make. Fortunately, Joanna Gaines—a shortcut queen—shared one of her sweet bread machine recipes.
Why Does Joanna Use a Bread Maker?
“The thought of homemade fresh bread used to overwhelm me,” Joanna wrote in a Magnolia blog post. Same, Joanna! Proofing the yeast, kneading the bread, letting it rise—it all seems pretty daunting. But Joanna reminded me of the kitchen gadget that was so popular a decade ago: the bread maker.
If a bread machine can deliver homemade bread with only a few minutes of hands-on time, it’s worth the investment. So, take a look at our Test Kitchen’s recommended bread machines, if you don’t already have one!
How to Make Joanna’s 3-Minute Bread Recipe
This has be one of the best sweet bread machine recipes out there. It takes 3 minutes to prep and pop in the bread machine.
Measuring Cup: Keep a Pyrex like this on hand for measuring liquids.
Directions
To make this bread, simply add all the ingredients to the bread machine, set the machine to “basic” and push start. It’s honestly that easy.
Editor’s Tip: Many bread machine manufacturers recommend adding all the liquids first, then salt and the flour, and finally sugar and yeast (which you don’t have to proof for this recipe).
Here’s What I Thought
After three hours, my house smelled like a bakery. I removed my bread from the machine and cut into a softly crusted loaf of sweet bread. It was tasty, definitely one of the best sweet bread machine recipes I’ve ever made. This loaf was great for breakfast and would be amazing as French toast.
How to Make This Recipe Your Own
For a non-sweet bread, Joanna recommends reducing the sugar to a quarter cup. This makes for one heck of a tuna melt. Thank you, Joanna Gaines, for your infinite kitchen wisdom!
Our All-Time Best Bread Machine Recipes
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Maple syrup sweetens these lovely little cinnamon buns. I make the dough in my bread machine before popping the rolls in the oven. My husband prefers them warm. —Juanita Carlsen, North Bend, Oregon
Need a new bread machine? Take a look at our picks for the best bread machines of the year.
This savory loaf mildly flavored with chives is delicious when served warm with a meal, soup, salad or stew. It also tastes wonderful toasted the next day for breakfast. —Deborah Plank, West Salem, Ohio
As a stay-at-home mother of two little girls, I pack a lot of activity into my days. The bread machine makes it a snap to turn out this attractive loaf that gets its zip from cayenne pepper, pepperoni and Mexican cheese. —Dusti Christensen, Goodridge, Minnesota
My husband and I want whole grain bread, but we don't like the spongy store-bought whole wheat breads. I drastically altered one of my favorite batter bread recipes to create this earthy bread. It is crunchy, chewy and easy. The add-ins are just suggestions. Sometimes I use pepitas, sesame seeds or even 1/4 cup of a multi-grain hot cereal mix. —Amber Rife, Columbus, Ohio
My family eats this flavorful bread as fast as I can make it. Sometimes I add different herbs, red onion or crumbled bacon. It's one of my best recipes! —Mary Cass, Baltimore, Maryland
I love making this pumpkin monkey bread for a holiday brunch. Leftovers reheat well, and the sauce is good enough to make extra to use as waffle and pancake syrup. —Emily Main, Tonopah, Arizona
Chewy yeast-raised flat bread is a snap to make in a bread machine. Serve naan with your favorite Indian dish to soak up the curry and sauces. —Shannon Ventresca, Middleboro, Massachusetts
My husband and our friends and family love these soft, chewy pretzels. Let the bread machine mix the dough, then all you have to do is shape and bake these fun snacks. —Sherry Peterson, Fort Collins, Colorado
I adapted an old sour cream bread recipe for this deliciously different pull-apart loaf that smells heavenly while baking. It has a light crust, tender interior and lots of herb and butter flavor. We think it's wonderful with a hot bowl of potato soup. —Katie Crill, Priest River, Idaho
I can’t get enough of this beautiful, richly flavored loaf that starts in the bread machine. I tear off big chunks, dip them into extra virgin olive oil and eat. Delicious!—Carole Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
While looking through my bread recipes one day, I happened upon this one and decided to give it a try. I offered one to my dad and ever since then, he's raved about how much he loves them. He even offers samples to friends and family. —Becky
My husband worked in Chicago-area pizza restaurants throughout high school and college. He says pizza is a work of art, and his are beautiful. Our girls prefer Daddy’s pizza to ordering out! —Julie Host, Polk City, Iowa
A cousin in North Carolina gave me the recipe for these delicious honey-glazed rolls. Using my bread machine to make the dough saves me about 2 hours compared to the traditional method. The rich buttery taste of these rolls is so popular with family and friends that I usually make two batches so I have enough! —Sara Wing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We love raisin bread and also enjoy the nutty flavor of pecans, so I decided to combine the two for this delectable loaf. It smells terrific and the taste…oh-so good! —Lora Sexton, Wellington, Texas
Big pizza flavor comes through in these rolls, thanks to the peppers, mushrooms, olives and pepperoni. This recipe makes two pans of rolls, and you can make the dough in a bread machine. —Barb Downie, Peterborough, Ontario
This bread smells wonderful when it’s baking in the oven. I make it mostly during the summer when rosemary is abundant in the garden, but also around the holidays when rosemary plants are available in the stores. —Tammy Bollman, Minatare, Nebraska
Ever wonder why a bread recipe includes mashed potatoes? The potato's starchy quality absorbs liquid during the kneading stage, and it holds onto that liquid during baking. The bread finishes with a crisp, brown exterior crust and a flavorful, moist interior that helps the bread keep longer. —Joan Ranzini, Waynesboro, Virginia
Since I love variety in my cooking, I tried adding dried minced onion to my usual recipe in attempts to copy a bread I had tasted, creating these two tasty loaves. Using the bread machine on the dough setting is a great timesaver. —Ruth Fueller, Barmstedt, Germany
Chipotle peppers leave some people tongue-tied; others can't get enough of the smoky heat. I came up with this recipe for chipotle, roasted garlic and caramelized onion focaccia. Some wanted it spicier—it's only a medium heat pepper—and some like it just the way it is. Add more if you crave the fire. —Frances "Kay" Bouma, Trail, British Columbia
These pretty cinnamon rolls are absolutely marvelous and taste just like the ones sold at the mall. Topped with a sweet cream cheese frosting, they are best served warm with coffee. Or reheat leftover rolls in the microwave and enjoy any time of day. —Velma Horton, LaGrange, California
Pineapple and coconut give a subtle sweetness to these golden homemade rolls. If there are any leftovers, they're great for sandwiches. —Kathy Kurtz, Glendora, California
Full of sweet cherries and nuts, this loaf has a mild cocoa flavor. It would be perfect to serve for breakfast, brunch or a mid-morning snack. Have a tall glass of milk at the ready. —Margaret Beyersdorf, Kissimmee, Florida
A bread machine hurries along the dough-making process, but chopped vegetables, bacon and cheese make the buttery wreath unforgettable. —Christi Ross, Guthrie, Texas
This bread is one of my favorites. It has a wonderful texture and slices beautifully, and the flavor of the herbs really comes through. (Psst—If you don't have a bread machine on hand, learn how to make bread without one!) —Gerri Hamilton, Kingsville, Ontario
It’s a treat watching guests enjoying these rolls. The tart cherries, sweet almond paste and crisp streusel topping have them reaching for seconds every time. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
The bagel recipes I saw in a magazine inspired me to try creating my own. I've been making them like crazy ever since! My whole wheat version dotted with cranberries is a favorite. —Tami Kuehl, Loup City, Nebraska
After I had my sixth child, a friend dropped off dinner, including these rolls, which start in a bread machine. They were so delicious that I quickly bought my own machine so I could make them myself. —Dana Lowry, Hickory, North Carolina
This golden brown bread offers satisfying sweetness in every slice. The hearty round loaves rise well and cut beautifully. With an egg wash and a sprinkling of Italian seasoning, the bread looks pretty, too. —Kim Ooms, Cottage Grove, Minnesota
My husband loves to make this bread. With its mild oat taste and soft texture, it's sure to be a hit with the whole family. Slices also are delicious toasted for breakfast. —Nancy Montgomery, Plainwell, Michigan
Not only are these breadsticks delicious, but they come together very easily. Whole wheat flour and a little honey help give them a wholesome taste and keep them on the healthy side. —Ted Van Schoick, Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania
A subtle banana flavor comes through in this moist whole wheat loaf. Flecked with poppy seeds, the sweet slices are wonderful warm or toasted and spread with butter. —Louise Myers, Pomeroy, Ohio
This hearty aromatic bread has just a hint of honey and garlic. It's one of my favorite breads. It goes with anything from bologna sandwiches to spaghetti. —Jami Blunt, Hardy, Arkansas
Discover a cheesy alternative to the usual sweet bread brunch offerings. There's no need to stop by a bakery when you can make this asiago bagel recipe at home. —Tami Kuehl, Loup City, Nebraska
Full of sweet cherries and nuts, this loaf has a mild cocoa flavor. It would be perfect to serve for breakfast, brunch or a mid-morning snack. Have a tall glass of milk at the ready. —Margaret Beyersdorf, Kissimmee, Florida
This healthful loaf loaded with whole grains couldn't be much easier to make—you just combine the ingredients in a bread machine and let it doe the rest of the work for you! Stack slices high with leftover turkey or ham from your special meals. —Ruth Skafte, Fort St. John, British Columbia
I create my delightful bagels by adapting several other recipes. I enjoy them spread with cream cheese or onion and chive cream cheese. —Pam Kaiser, Mansfield, Missouri
Dried cranberries and orange zest add bright flavor to these scrumptious morning treats. Switch up the taste, if you’d like, by using raisins and cinnamon. —Kristy Reeves, LeRoy, Kansas
