1 pkg. quick acting yeast
2 c. lukewarm water
4 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. melted butter

Dissolve yeast in 1 cup lukewarm water. While yeast softens, sift flour, sugar and salt together in a large bowl, then stir in the dissolved yeast. Add just enough of the second cup of water to hold dough together. Mix until you have a soft sticky dough.

Cover with a clean cloth. Set bowl in a warm spot in your kitchen (not near direct heat) and let rise until double in size. This takes from 2-4 hours, depending on the warmth of your kitchen.

When dough is high and spongy, punch down with your fist and give it a good sound beating with your hand. Divide bread in two parts and place each part in a greased 8-inch round baking dish (glass casserole is perfect). Cover again with cloth and let rise until it reaches top of baking dish.

At this point, start oven at 400 degrees or moderately hot. Brush top of bread with melted butter (gives lovely flavor to the crust) and bake 1 hour.