How to Make a Bread Machine Recipe by Hand

Do you want to make a bread machine recipe, but have no bread machine? No worries! I’ll teach you how to convert a bread machine recipe to by hand with easy, step-by-step instructions. Now you can bake all those bread machine recipes you’ve been wanting to make!

How to Convert a Bread Machine Recipe to by Hand

I do a lot of bread baking. I really do adore my bread machine for a lot of my recipes. I love them so much that I have two of them!

I use it to make my Copycat Longhorn Bread, Olive Garden Breadsticks, Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, 

However, I know not everyone has a bread machine in their kitchen.

Converting a bread machine recipe to hand-kneading takes a little more time, but it’s worth it.

You’ll get the same soft, delicious bread while enjoying the satisfaction of making it from scratch!

So, here’s a quick guide on how to convert a bread machine recipe to by hand. 

I hope this is helpful for y’all!

Converting a Bread Machine Recipe

When you follow these easy, step-by-step instructions you can easily make your homemade bread by hand instead of using the bread machine.

1. Bread Machine Instructions: Add Ingredients to the Bread Machine

You’ll see the instructions to add ingredients to the machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer.

Instead of adding the ingredients to a bread machine, you can use your hands or a mixer—your choice!

1. Combine yeast, water and sugar in a bowl. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until foamy.
2. Add the remaining ingredients. Add anything cold or hot last. Knead for 8-10 minutes.

2. Bread Machine Instructions: Choose Setting for Dough

Follow steps 1 and 2 above.

3. Bread Machine Instructions: Choose Setting for White Bread

First, follow steps 1 and 2 listed above. Then:

1. Cover the dough with a tea towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until it’s doubled in size – about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
2. Place the dough on a floured surface. Punch it down to release any air bubbles within and separate into your loaf(s).
3. Knead gently 4-6 times to help distribute the yeast and shape into loaf(s).
4. Place loaf(s) into greased pans and cover with a tea towel. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free place until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
5. Bake at 350F until the bottom of the loaf(s) sound hollow when tapped, 30-40 minutes.

4. Bread Machine Instructions: Choose Setting for Dough and First Rise

Follow steps 1 through 3 in the section above (Choose Setting for White Bread).

Continue with the directions in the recipe.

What About Making Wheat Bread?

Wheat bread needs a tad more kneading, and it takes a little longer to rise due to the bran in the wheat.

Instead of kneading the dough for 8-10 minutes as instructed above, knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Then, keep an eye on the size of the dough instead of the time listed. When it’s doubled in size, you can move through the remaining steps.

Adding Fruits, Nuts, & Seeds

Fruits, nuts and seeds should be added near the end of the kneading process.  Just add in any fruits/seeds/nuts you’re using in the last couple of kneads.