White Bread Recipe

I tried to make this bread beautiful by adding the butter on top for the pic. Instead it just made it look all weird.

Anyway, we've enjoyed this white bread recipe. It comes from my cousin Kate.

5 1/2 c all-purpose flour
2 T sugar
1 T salt
2 packages Felishmann's RapidRise yeast (I just use yeast from the big package 2 1/4 tsp x 2)
2 1/4 c water
1/4 c butter

Combine 2 c flour, sugar, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Heat water and butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees). Add to dry ingredients, stirring well. Gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover dough and let rest for 10 minutes on a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a 12x8 inch rectangle. Beginning at short ends, roll up tightly as for jellyroll. Pinch seams and ends to seal. Place loaves seams down in greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise in a warm draft free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Bake at 375 for 30-35 min or until done. Remove from pans and cool on wire rack. Makes 2 loaves.

I actually combine the yeast and warm water first and let it bubble, then add the other ingredients. I have issues with non-rising bread, and doing this has increased my confidence and success rate. I make this in my Kitchen Aid and it works just great.