Are you craving warm, freshly baked bread but short on time? Then this peanut butter bread machine recipe is your new best friend! This recipe delivers a deliciously moist and nutty loaf with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a weekend baking treat. Forget complicated kneading and proofing; your bread machine does all the hard work, leaving you with a fantastic homemade bread experience. Let’s get baking!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional, for added crunch)
Instructions:
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Prepare the Bread Machine: Grease your bread machine pan lightly with cooking spray or butter. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of your finished loaf.
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Combine Ingredients: Add the warm water, sugar, and yeast to your bread machine pan. Let stand for about 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy. This ensures the yeast is active and will properly leaven your bread.
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Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the peanut butter, vegetable oil, salt, and milk until just combined.
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Add Dry Ingredients: Add the flour to the bread machine pan. If adding chopped peanuts, include them now.
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Select the Setting: Select the "basic" or "dough" setting on your bread machine. Most machines will automatically handle the kneading and proofing cycles. Check your bread machine's manual for specific instructions.
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Bake: Once the cycle is complete, carefully remove the bread from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Perfect Loaf:
- Yeast Activation: Make sure your yeast is fresh. Expired yeast may not activate properly, resulting in a flat loaf.
- Flour Consistency: The amount of flour might need slight adjustments depending on the humidity and your specific flour type. You might need to add a tablespoon or two more if the dough seems too sticky. Conversely, if the dough seems too dry, add a tablespoon or two of water.
- Cooling: Allowing the bread to cool completely on a wire rack helps prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Storage: Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze it for longer storage.
Variations:
- Sweet Peanut Butter Bread: Add 1/4 cup of brown sugar to the wet ingredients for a sweeter loaf.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bread: Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips along with the peanuts.
- Spiced Peanut Butter Bread: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg for a warm, spiced flavor.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: Around 150-200
- Protein: Around 4-6 grams
- Fat: Around 7-10 grams
- Carbohydrates: Around 20-25 grams
This easy peanut butter bread machine recipe is a fantastic addition to your repertoire of quick dinner ideas and healthy meals. Enjoy the delicious aroma and taste of freshly baked bread without the fuss! This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, weekend brunches, or any time you crave a comforting and delicious homemade treat. It’s one of the best recipes for easy, satisfying homemade cooking.