Buttermilk Bread | Soft and Fluffy
A classic white bread recipe with a touch of something different that takes it over the top; buttermilk powder. Soft, fluffy, and delicious, this homemade Buttermilk Bread recipe will become a family favorite. It’s better than bread from a bakery!
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One day, I accidentally discovered this secret when I was making my old standby Basic White Bread recipe from the Zojirushi bread machine cookbook. I didn’t have the powdered milk called for, so I used what I had on hand- buttermilk powder. Buttermilk powder is great to keep on hand for use in pancakes, muffins, cakes, etc. I had never used it in bread before though.
Dry milk powder adds moisture, flavor, and beautiful texture to bread and other baked goods. Buttermilk powder does the same thing, and adds a little tang to the mix. It’s perfect, and I’m so glad I made this happy accident! You can still make this bread with regular dry milk powder, and that’s how the original recipe is written. It will still be light, fluffy, soft and delicious. But I do recommend getting some buttermilk powder and trying it.
This recipe calls for using a bread machine, however feel free to use your stand mixer, or a bowl and wooden spoon. I have had a Zojirushi bread machine for many years, and it’s a fantastically well-made machine. The way it mixes and kneads the dough is perfect, and it’s great for baking bread in the summer without hearting the oven and your whole kitchen with it. I also use the machine to mix and knead, and then shape and rise the dough in a bread pan to bake in the oven, which is what I did for the bread pictured here. This also works perfectly when you want to make homemade rolls.
This homemade Buttermilk Bread keeps well for about a week, if it lasts that long! I simply keep it in a plastic bread bag on the counter. It’s perfect for sandwiches as well. The bread is so soft and fluffy, your family will love it! If you try it, please leave me a comment below. I’d love to know how it turned out for you!
Try my Honey Whole Wheat bread recipe!
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Buttermilk Bread
Ingredients
- 1-1/3 cups water 320mL
- 4-1/4 cups bread flour 544g
- 4 Tbsp. sugar 46g
- 2 Tbsp. buttermilk powder (or dry milk powder) 8g
- 2 tsp. salt 11.2g
- 2-1/2 Tbsp. butter 35g
- 2 tsp. active dry yeast 5.6g
Instructions
- Add ingredients to the bread machine in the order listed, starting with the water. and ending with the yeast.
- Choose the Basic bread course on the bread machine. (Course layout and times listed in notes below.)
- Start machine and allow to complete the course. When finished baking, remove bread from machine and allow to cool on wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- You may use Rapid Rise yeast and choose the Quick course on the bread machine. This will reduce the time to about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- If using the dough cycle, remove the dough from machine when the cycle is finished. Shape and place in an oiled bread pan. Allow to rise a second time, covered with a clean kitchen towel, about 30-45 minutes,. Bake at 375 F for about 30-35 minutes until golden and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.