Favourite Egg Bread

If you own a bread machine, this egg bread is about as easy as baking gets: measure everything in, press start, and walk away.

The richness comes from three eggs and a quarter cup of butter, which give the loaf a soft, tender crumb and a golden, slightly sweet character, not unlike a simple challah or brioche.

Nonfat milk powder adds extra tenderness and a fine, even texture, while just a tablespoon of sugar feeds the yeast and lightly sweetens the dough.

The result is a versatile loaf that’s tender enough to eat plain but sturdy enough to hold up as sandwich bread or French toast.

It’s the kind of fuss-free recipe that makes the house smell incredible while you do almost nothing.

Kitchen Tips

• Add ingredients in the order your machine’s manual recommends, usually liquids first and yeast last, for the best rise.
• Bring the eggs and butter closer to room temperature so they incorporate evenly into the dough.
• This egg-rich loaf makes excellent French toast; let the slices go slightly stale first.

Variations

• Use the dough cycle, then braid and oven-bake for a challah-style loaf.
• Brush the top with egg wash and sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds before baking.
• Add a little extra sugar and some raisins for a sweeter breakfast bread.