Homemade loaf bread

This is from Taste of Home's Best Holiday Recipes 2006 magazine.

1pkg (1/4oz) active dry yeast
2c warm water (110 - 115 degrees)
1c sugar
1/2c butter, melted
1 1/2tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
7 to 8c bread flour (In a pinch you can also substitute 2-3c plain flour)


In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, butter, salt, eggs and 4 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 mins.

Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hr. (I let my dough rise sitting on top of my running clothes dryer.)

Punch dough down and turn onto a floured surface. Divide into thirds.

Shape into loaves and place in three greased 9in x 5in x 3in loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 mins or until gold. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Yield 3 loaves