2-1/2 cups warm water (100 degrees F/45 degrees C)
3 Tbsp butter, softened
2 tsp salt
6-1/2 cups white flour + ½ cup white flour for kneading
1 Tbsp melted butter
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Beat in butter, salt, and two cups of the flour. Beat in remaining 4-1/2 cups flour, ½ cup at a time, until fully incorporated.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until elastic, about 8 minutes, incorporating a bit of the remaining ½ cup of flour each time dough starts to stick to the surface (you may not have to use all the remaining flour).
Lightly butter a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat it with butter. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Lightly butter two 9x5" loaf pans. Punch dough down and turn it onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and form into loaves.
Place the loaves into the pans and cover them with a damp cloth. Let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake loaves for about 30 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Remove from oven and brush each loaf with melted butter. Remove immediately to a cooling rack.
Recipe by Simple, Sweet & Savory at https://www.simplesweetsavory.com/classic-white-bread/