Ingredients:

3½ cups bread flour

¾ tsp salt

1 cup warm water (not hot)

2 tbs sugar

1 packet active dry yeast

1 lg egg room temp

2 tbs melted butter

a 5x3x9" greased loaf pan

Directions:

1. Combine sugar with warm water and stir to dissolve sugar. Sprinkle yeast over top of water and set aside for 5 minutes to proof and get foamy.

2. Combine 3 cups of flour (reserve the ½ cup for kneading) and salt in a large bowl.

3. In a small bowl, beat egg with a fork and add melted butter. Stir this mixture into the proofed yeast mixture and then pour all into the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until all dry ingredients are moistened and you have a mass of sticky dough. Dump out onto a floured surface, flour your hands and knead for 10 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic. Add flour sparingly during kneading using just enough to prevent sticking to the surface. Once kneaded, form into a ball and place into a buttered or greased bowl turning once to grease the dough ball surface. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for one hour till double in size.

4. Turn out onto floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. Pat out into a rectangle and then beginning with long edge, roll dough into a log and shape into a loaf. Place in greased loaf pan, cover and let rise another hour or till double in size.

5. Bake in preheated 400° oven for 20-25 minutes. If loaf is browning too quickly, tent with foil. If you have an instant read thermometer, internal temp should be about 185°-190°. Place on rack to cool removing from pan after 5 minutes. Brush entire surface with melted butter while still warm.

Bon Appetit!