Converting Bread Machine Recipes for Differently Sized Machines
Last Updated on April 21, 2020
I have a two-pound bread machine. As a result, most of the recipes on this site are for two-pound machines.
However, bread machines come in different sizes. So I’m frequently asked how to convert recipes into recipes for bread machines of different sizes.
How do I convert a two-pound loaf recipe to another size?
A good place to start is by just doing the math. If a recipe for a two-pound machine calls for 4 cups of flour then use 2 cups (four divided by 2) for the one-pound recipe. Do that for the rest of the ingredients.
Go through the entire recipe and write everything down before you start. That way if you need to tweak the recipe, you’ll know what you tried the first time. Plus this will save you time the next time you want to make the recipe.
If you’re converting a recipe for a two-pound loaf of bread to a 1.5-pound loaf of bread, then more math is more involved.
Take the amount of flour for the two-pound bread machine recipe and divide it by 4. This gets you the ingredients needed per half a pound.
Then take that number times 3. This gets you the ingredients needed for a 1.5-pound machine.
So in our example, we’d take 4 cups of flour and divide it by 4. That equals 1. Then take 1 times 3, and we get 3 cups of flour for a 1.5-pound loaf of bread.
You’ll probably run into things that you need to be rounded. Make your best guess. Again, be sure to write everything down.
As a final step, take a second look at the converted yeast amount. Does it look like a typical amount of yeast for your machine’s size? If it’s not what you would expect, adjust the yeast amount up or down as you think best.
When you make your converted recipe for the first time:
Follow the instructions that came with your bread machine in terms of which ingredients to put in the bread machine first.
As always, check on the dough after five or ten minutes of kneading. The dough should be a smooth, round ball.
Smooth, round ball of dough
If it’s too dry, add liquid a teaspoon at a time until the dough balls up. If it looks too wet, add flour a teaspoon at a time until it looks as desired. Again, keep notes about the needed changes to the recipe.
Tweaking the Recipe
Sometimes you’ll get a good conversion on your first try. If you’re like me though, it may take two or three tries to get the recipe just right. Be sure to keep notes on your adjustments so you know what works and what doesn’t.
Here are some hints:
Did the loaf rise too much? Try decreasing the yeast, liquid or sugar. You could also increase the salt.
Did the loaf not rise enough? Try decreasing the salt. You could also increase the yeast, liquid or sugar.
Did the top of the loaf crack? Try decreasing the flour or increasing the liquid.
Is the crust too dark? Increase the liquid 1 to 2 tablespoons.
Hi I am newbie. My new bread maker is 1#.
Can I double it to make a bigger loaf?
Ty Learning Alot from here!🤗
Great question! In your case it’s not safe to double the recipe. It would be too much for your machine to handle.
I’d like to bake smaller loaves: 1 pound. But wondered if the baking time should be adjusted? What should the baking time be for a 1 lb. and 1 1/2 lb loaf in my Zojurushi?
thanks
Interesting question. Are you talking about using the homemade feature to change the bake times?
Hi! Love your bread machine site! I want to start making my breads with milled whole wheat berries. If a recipe calls for 3 cups of bread flour, how much replacement for milled wheat berries would I do? Thank you!!
Interesting question! I haven’t worked with wheat berries. However, I would bet that it wouldn’t be a straight swap. You’d need to add vital wheat gluten, as well as make changes the yeast and liquid amounts.
This page has been the most help iv found for conversations. I too am a bit nervous abt mistakes so comments help a lot. My machine is a 3 lb and most recipes are for 1 1/2. Wasn’t sure if baking would be the same by doubling ingredients.
Thank you, that was very helpful. My biggest problem is that here in the UK we use grams and not cups – would you have a conversion for this please? Also, are liquid cups different from dry ingredient cups – thank you.
Thanks so much for leaving a comment. I’m going through and adding software that converts everything to metric measurements. My goal is to have all the recipes done by the end of the year. Let me know if you’d like a particular recipe converted and I’ll do it right away.
The cup measurements are the same in the US. Although it’s easier to measure the liquids if you use a some sort of see-through cup.
Hi, how many cups of flour can I put in a 2 pound machine to make dough only?
I will bake in my oven so I just want to make dough. What’s the most flour you’ve used to make dough in your 2 pound machine?
Thank you!
I usually use 4 cups of flour in my 2-pound machine.
To make a 1 1/2 lb loaf in a 2 lb Zoji, do I use the pro-programmed settings for white, wheat, etc., or do I need to create a ‘Home made’ routine? Thank you!
In that case, you’re making a smaller loaf than your machine is built for, just use the regular white, wheat or whatever setting. Note that your bread may be a little oddly shaped but that will be the only issue.
Can I bake a one pound loaf in my 2 pound Zo? Thank you!
You bet. The loaf will probably be a “hippo” loaf. One end will be larger than the other, but it will taste just fine. Also, I think hippo loaves are cute. 🙂
if I want a 3 lb loaf do I just multiply
To go from a smaller loaf to a larger loaf, you’d multiply. Be sure to look at the “Tweaking the Recipe” section for hints on perfecting your new recipe.
Thank you, Very helpful information. Just wondering — If you convert to a 1 1/2 loaf from a 2 pound, do you use the same Zo setting number from the 2 pound loaf? Does it “bake” for the same amount of time? Do you decrease the crust setting? Do you have to program a homemade setting with different times for each step?
Thank you as I don’t have any confidence in experimenting… :I
I’ve made 1 1/2 pound loaves in my 2 pound machine a bunch of times. I just use the regular settings and the bread turns out fine. The only issue is that the loaves might look a little funny. I call them “hippo loaves” because one end is larger than the other. It all tastes fine though and I think the hippo loaves are cute. 🙂
what causes the bread to fall? It rises well, but hits the top of the breadmaker and when it starts to bake, the top caves in. How do you remedy this problem?
Hi Joann, the tips on this page should help.
That happens to me when I use too much water. The best solution is to check your dough after 5 min or so of mixing and it must be a ball .. no sticking to sides of machine. If so , add 1 Tbs flour at a time till it does not stick. I found that most recipes on youtube and other had way too much water for my kind of flours and machine. For example .. the recipes calling for 1 1/3 c per 3 cups of flour was too much .. I had to cut down to 1 1/8c. Hope this helps.
So if I’m wanting to convert my 1.5lb recipes to 3lb recipes to mix in a 3lb machine (I usually use the dough cycle then bake in the oven), I should theoretically be able to just double everything? What about yeast? Most of my recipes call for 2tsp yeast, would I actually need 4tsp yeast for 6 cups flour?
Some of this is going to be you making your best guess based on other recipes and your experience. If the yeast isn’t what you’d expect you might want to adjust that up or down as you think best. Make notes so that you know what you did.
These are very helpful tips, thank you. But how do I go up from the smaller sizes to a 2 1/2 pound loaf?
I’d take the original recipe and get the measurements for a half pound of bread. Then take those numbers and times by five. You’ll have to do tweaking of course. After you’ve done the math, do any adjustments that you think should be made (adjusting the yeast comes to mind) and then give it a try. Make notes on how it comes out and then tweak again if needed.
Hi Marsha,
Thanks for the great tips on tweaking recipes in different sizes, I wish I’d found them when I first got my Zo 5 years ago!
Mat I suggest a slightly simpler way to run the math? To convert from 2 pounds to 1.5, multiply by .75 on a calculator (I use the one on my phone). To convert from 1 pound to 1.5 pounds, multiply by 1.5. Easy peasy.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
I have 2 pound zoj machine and I made a recipe that was 11/2 pound but converted it to fit 2 pound and it was so tall and big and it was a lot. Can I make a 1 1/2 pound loaf in my 2 pound machine???
You bet. I do it all the time. The only problem is that the loaf might be a little funny looking. I call them hippo loaves. One end will be taller and bigger than the other. It’s not really a problem though, it just looks a little different. 🙂
On almost every loaf I make in my Zo, before the last rise I either re-shape the dough in the machine or take it out to re-shape in my hands. Then gently put it back in the breadpan.
Just before the cycle switches to bake, pause the machine. Open the lid and redistribute the dough evenly in the pan. Close the lid and continue the cycle. It will rise more evenly and make a nicer loaf.
I have a 1.5 lb machine and a 2 lb bread mix. What should I do
Divide the ingredients by 4 and use 3/4 of them.
Oh this is VERY helpful!
My machine (Zoj) does 2 lb loaves BUT sometimes the 2 lb is too much. Sometimes my conversions don’t work well; but then there’s those 4 little things you added at the end vis-a-vis Salt, water, sugar, yeast.
Sometimes it takes another person’s experience to make your own much better. You are pure genius! *grins*