Long story very short, Jim bought me a breadmaker 6 years ago, and it sat in the box for 4 years. Then it came out and I occasionally used it to make dough for rolls or cinnamon bread. It wasn't until this past summer, when we were cutting our grocery budget to the bone, that I started my quest for the perfect toast and sandwich bread in my breadmaker. So far, this is my favorite:
Rapid Buttermilk Bread ~ $1.15 per loaf
1 1/2 cups hot water (100 degrees F)
6 tbsp. cultured buttermilk powder ($0.35 per loaf, $5.99 per canister)
2 tbsp. softened butter ($0.10)
2 tbsp sugar, brown sugar, or honey ($0.05)
1 tsp. salt
3 1/2 cups bread flour ($0.50 per loaf, $3.99 per 5 lb. bag)
2 tbsp instant bread machine yeast ($0.15 per loaf, $6.99 per jar)
1. Add ingredients to pan according to bread machine directions. Make sure you add buttermilk powder immediately after the hot water, then continue as directed.
2. Bake on rapid cycle for a 2 pound loaf.
The Verdict
This bread is amazing... soft, moist, tender, and perfect for toast, sandwiches, grilled cheese. Which sweetener you use is a matter of taste. I prefer the honey, but the kids seem to like the brown sugar best. It keeps a good long time, not that much of it gets left for long. I am going through 2 loaves a week, so it's a good thing that it is SO much cheaper than storebought!
