Mom's Basic Bread

Directions

1. 1
   Dissolve yeast and 1 tbs sugar in 1/2 cup water (85 F).
2. 2
   Sit for about 10 min.
3. 3
   Heat milk and butter in sauce pan until melted.
4. 4
   Place 2 tbs sugar and salt in large bowl.
5. 5
   Pour milk and butter mixture into sugar and salt mixture (#2into#3) and blend with wooden spoon.
6. 6
   Add beaten egg and 1/2 cup of flour into#4.
7. 7
   Allow to cool until temperature is about 105 F.
8. 8
   Add yeast mixture (#1) to#5 and stir well.
9. 9
   Add about 1/2 of the remaining flour.
10. 10
    Beat 300 times.
11. 11
    Add remaining flour.
12. 12
    Knead until blisters form and dough is elastic.
13. 13
    Shape dough into a ball, return to bowl and butter surface.
14. 14
    Cover and let rise for about an hour (until it has doubled in size).
15. 15
    Punch dough down and knead again.
16. 16
    Divide into 2 greased and floured loaf pans.
17. 17
    Butter surface, cover and let rise for 1 hour.
18. 18
    Bake at 400 F for 30-35 minutes.
19. 19
    The top should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.