Gather all ingredients and measure accurately for consistent results.
Pour the warm water into the bread machine pan.
Add the bread flour, sugar, salt, and softened butter, layering in that order.
Make a small well in the center of the flour and sprinkle the yeast into it.
Insert the pan into the machine; select the Basic or White Bread cycle.
Choose your crust color (light, medium, or dark) and hit Start.
When the cycle finishes, carefully remove the hot pan using oven mitts.
Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.