Easy White Bread

 2 C. warm water

1/4 C. white sugar

5 C. white flour

2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. dry yeast

3 Tbl.  softened butter

Combine warm water and white sugar, stir until sugar has dissolved. 

Sprinkle yeast on top of sugar water. Let sit until foamy, about 5 - 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix butter, salt, and flour; until it forms a crumbly texture. 

Add the yeast water to the flour/butter mixture and knead the dough for 8 - 10 minutes by hand, or 5 - 7 in a stand mixer with the dough hook until it forms a ball.

Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and set in warmish place for 1 - 2 hours, until double in size.

Punch down dough and divide into 2 portions and shape into loaf shapes and place into greased bread pans.

Cover the loafs and let rise again for 30 - 45 minutes.

Place into 375 oven and bake for 20 - 25 minutes, until golden brown on the top.

Remove bread from pans and let cool slightly before cutting.   - Tricia