Best Homemade White Bread for Beginners

1 In the bowl of a stand mixer dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water mixed with 1 teaspoon of the sugar.
2 Set aside for [timer minutes=0]5 minutes[/timer]. It will get foamy.
3 Add the remaining water and 1 cup of the flour.
4 Stir until smooth.
5 Add the remaining sugar, salt, melted butter, and 2 more cups of flour.
6 Beat until smooth.
7 With mixer on medium low beat in enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough.
To Knead
1 Turn mixer to low and knead according to manufacturers instructions - usually about [timer minutes=0]8 minutes.[/timer]
To Knead by Hand
1 Turn out onto a floured countertop.
2 Knead by hand for 10 to [timer minutes=0]12 minutes[/timer] or until smooth and elastic (it pulls back when you try to stretch it).
3 Form into a ball.
4 Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top.
5 Cover and let rise in a warm place until double, about[timer minutes=0] 1-1/2 hours.[/timer]
6 Punch dough down.
7 Form into 2 loaves and place into 2 greased 9x5 loaf pans.
8 Cover and let rise for [timer minutes=0]30 minutes[/timer], or until doubled.
9 Bake at 375F for 30 to [timer minutes=0]35 minutes[/timer], or until light golden brown. Bread will sound hollow when tapped, you can also push an instaread thermometer into the side of the bread to the center and it should read 200F when done.
10 Let cool in the pans for [timer minutes=0]5 minutes [/timer]then turn out to cool completely.