Julia Child's White Bread

Pour 1 / 2 cup of the water into a bowl and mix with yeast and sugar til foamy.

Let sit for 5 minutes until creamy.

Put the yeast mixture , rest of the water and 3 1 / 2 cups of the flour into the mixer with the dough hook.

Mix slowly until blended then add the rest of the flour.

Increase speed and scrape down the sides til the dough comes together.

Add salt and mix at medium speed for 10 minutes til dough is smooth and elastic.

Back in mixer add butter 1 tbsp at a time.

Turn dough out on lightly floured surface and shape it into a ball then place in a large buttered or oiled bowl.

Turn dough so it is completely coated in the fat , then cover in plastic for 45 minutes to an hour , til it has doubled in size at room temperature.

Butter 2 loaf pans.

Deflate the dough , cut in half and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.

Roll out into a 9 x 12-inch rectangle.

With the short end facing you , fold the dough into thirds like a sheet of paper to go into an envelope , creati.

water, active dry yeast, sugar, bread flour, salt, unsalted butter