Basic White Bread

Instructions:

Mix together sugar, salt, butter, and milk. Add cold water. Dissolve yeast in warm water and add to mi xture. Mix in flour, a few cups at a time, until dough is velvety. Knead until smooth. Place in buttered bowl, turn to grease top, cover, and let rise for 2 hours. Punch down, let rise 1 hour more, then shape into 3 loaves. Let rest 10 to 15 minutes. Place each loaf in greased 9-1/2-inch loaf pan. Let rise until just above the rim of pan. Bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 10 minutes; then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake 1 hour. Remove from pans and brush tops lightly with melted butter to soften crusts.