I Made Joanna Gaines' 3-Minute Bread Recipe and It's the Next Thing You Should Bake (2024)

We finally found something better than sliced bread: this sweet bread machine recipe from Joanna Gaines!

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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

I Made Joanna Gaines' 3-Minute Bread Recipe and It's the Next Thing You Should Bake (1)glebchik/Shutterstock, Brian Ach/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

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.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups bread flour
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) bread machine yeast

Tools You’ll Need

  • Bread Machine: This model is similar to the bread machine the Taste of Home Test Kitchen uses to test recipes.
  • Kitchen Scale: Use a kitchen scale to weigh flour for best results. Just reference this ingredient weight chart.
  • 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!

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I Made Joanna Gaines' 3-Minute Bread Recipe and It's the Next Thing You Should Bake (5)

Braided Onion Potato Loaf

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

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Cinnamon Swirl Breakfast BreadMy aunt gave me the recipe these pretty, rich-tasting loaves many years ago. It's one of my favorite bread machine recipes. —Peggy Burdick, Burlington, Michigan

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Sour Cream Chive BreadThis 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

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Seeded Whole Grain LoafMy 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. This is one of those bread machine recipes I make over and over. —Amber Rife, Columbus, Ohio

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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

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Bread Machine Pumpkin Monkey BreadI 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

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For something even simpler, look through our collection of easy bread machine recipes.

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Garlic Herb Bubble LoafI 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

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Golden Honey Pan RollsA 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

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Calzone RollsBig 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

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Pecan Raisin BreadWe love raisin bread and also enjoy the nutty flavor of pecans, so I decided to combine the two for this delectable loaf. This is one of my favorite bread machine recipes—it smells so good and tastes even better. —Lora Sexton, Wellington, Texas

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Soft Garlic BreadsticksI rely on a bread machine to mix the dough for this buttery garlic breadsticks recipe that is mildly seasoned with garlic and basil. I like to use this dough when making pizza, too. —Charles Smith, Baltic, Connecticut

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Sun-Dried Tomato FocacciaThis bread looks inviting and doesn’t disappoint when you take a bite. The sun-dried tomatoes and red onions give it an extra-special appearance, fit for any celebratory meal. —Kathy Katz, Ocala, Florida

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Onion French Bread LoavesSince 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

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Chipotle Focaccia with Garlic-Onion ToppingChipotle 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

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Frosted Cinnamon RollsThese 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

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Veggie Pull-Apart BreadA bread machine hurries along the dough-making process, but chopped vegetables, bacon and cheese make the buttery wreath unforgettable. —Christi Ross, Guthrie, Texas

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Garlic Parmesan BreadThis 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

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Rosemary-Garlic Focaccia BreadThis 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 stores. —Tammy Bollman, Minatare, Nebraska

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I Made Joanna Gaines' 3-Minute Bread Recipe and It's the Next Thing You Should Bake (2024)

FAQs

Why do most quick breads need to be baked immediately after mixing? ›

Quick breads use the chemical leavening agents of baking powder and/or baking soda. Baking powder and baking soda do not require time for rising, so the batter for quick bread is cooked immediately after mixing.

What bread maker does Joanna Gaines use? ›

You'll definitely be interested in Gaines' favorite ... bread maker! The Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf Bread Maker features a user-friendly screen with 13 automatic settings, three crust options, and nine custom settings.

How to make homemade bread less dense or more light & fluffy? ›

Dense or heavy bread can be caused by not kneading the dough enough, not letting the dough rise enough, or using too much flour. To fix this issue: try kneading the dough for longer or allowing it to rise for a longer period. You can also try adding a little more liquid to the dough or using a higher protein flour.

What will help you bake perfect bread every time? ›

Follow these tips for bread that comes out right every time.
  • Use the right yeast. ...
  • Store your yeast properly. ...
  • Treat salt with care. ...
  • Take your time. ...
  • Try different flours. ...
  • Consider vitamin C. ...
  • Practice makes perfect. ...
  • Don't prove for too long.

How long can quick bread batter sit before baking? ›

Don't Rush. Although it sounds like you need to worry about rushing, think about pancake batter for a minute. The secret to making pancakes (a runnier quick bread) is letting the batter rest for 15 to 20 minutes before cooking.

What is the most common mistake when making quick breads? ›

The 12 Most Common Bread Baking Mistakes to Avoid
  • Always using commercial yeast. ...
  • Doing everything in a standing mixer. ...
  • Switching up flours willy-nilly. ...
  • Too hot, or too cold. ...
  • Being impatient. ...
  • Not letting bread proof completely. ...
  • Forgetting to score. ...
  • Taking bread out of the oven too early.
Mar 29, 2017

What happened to Joanna Gaines Bakery? ›

Recognizing the potential of the e-commerce platform, Gaines transformed her brick-and-mortar bakery into an online food hub. Her baked delicacies are now easily accessible with a few clicks and taps, delivering sweet goodness to doorsteps nationwide.

What kitchen appliances does Joanna Gaines use? ›

To put Ilve's Nostalgie Series, which is featured in Gaines's kitchens, in context, similar ranges from Viking, Smeg, and Wolf clock in at at least $10,000. La Cornue, a French brand Gaines also has been known to favor, starts at $10K and goes way past six figures.

What businesses does Joanna Gaines own? ›

The couple's local businesses include Magnolia Home, Magnolia Realty, and Magnolia Market, Magnolia Seed & Supply, and Silos Baking Co., The Little Shop on Bosque, Magnolia Press, Magnolia Seed + Supply, The Shops at the Silos, and several vacation rental properties.

How do bakeries get their bread so soft? ›

Commercial bread is softer due to the steam process used by bakeries, which is made to keep bread hydrated and fresh. Use cold water in a pan and put it on a rack beneath your bread to create steam.

What is the secret to a soft and fluffy bread? ›

You want to rise the dough so that the yeast still has enough energy in it to work in the oven to give you a nice, light, fluffy loaf of white bread. Lightly cover the loaf pans with plastic wrap - do not make it too tight as you don't want the dough to rise up and get trapped in the plastic wrap.

Does letting bread rise longer make it fluffier? ›

Does Rising Bread Affect Its Texture? For a fluffy bread texture, the key is to let the bread rise long enough.

What not to do when baking bread? ›

The top mistakes you're making when you bake bread
  1. You're measuring incorrectly. ...
  2. Your yeast is old. ...
  3. You're using low-protein flour. ...
  4. You're using too much flour (or water) ...
  5. Your oven isn't hot enough.
Apr 15, 2020

Why do you put water in the oven when baking bread? ›

If you load your loaf into a hot, dry oven the crust will very quickly dry and harden. Once it has hardened it won't be able to expand. With steam in the oven for the first 10-15 minutes of the bake the crust of the loaf will stay moist and the loaf will be able to expand.

Why do you spray water on bread before baking? ›

Wetting the dough causes the surface to steam. Covering it traps the moisture. This partnership stops the bread from drying out on the surface in the hot air of the oven and forming a premature crust. Your bread rises more and produces a richer colour, becoming glossy on the surface.

Why is it important not to overmix quick breads? ›

Quick breads are typically mixed by hand, and it's important not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can cause the gluten in the flour to develop, resulting in a tough and chewy bread. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined, and then stop. If there are a few lumps in the batter, that's okay.

What happens when quick breads are overmixed? ›

Overmixing can cause quick breads to be tough, bake unevenly or cause elongated holes (or tunnels). Chopped nuts, fruit and other small "add in" ingredients may be combined with the dry ingredients or folded gently into the batter near the end of mixing.

Why shouldn't you overmix quick breads? ›

The more you mix your banana bread batter, the more gluten is developing in the bread—which is great for a yeast-risen, chewy loaf, but not so great when you're hoping for a tender, soft quick bread. An overmixed banana bread batter will result in a dense, rubbery loaf.

Why can't you overmix quick bread? ›

For many batters and quick breads like biscuits, you want to avoid the development of too much gluten—the structural protein found in wheat flours that gives baguettes and sourdough boules elasticity and chew but turns otherwise tender pastries tough.

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