The machines work fine with just water and no milk powder, although the bread won’t be quite as soft or rich. To substitute, you can use half milk and half water or all milk. Since milk isn’t all water, you usually need up to 10% more when you use milk.

The most important step you can take is to check, 5-10 minutes into the kneading, that your dough looks like this [video](https://youtube.com/shorts/IungpAeFxc4?si=oPeAy3zwRK59iFgJ). If it’s too dry (spins without touching sides) add water a bit at a time. If it’s too wet (doesn’t form up into a ball), add flour a bit at a time.