French Bread

3 Tlbs Yeast
3 ½ Cups Water
¾ Cup Sugar
1/3 Cup Butter or Oil
4 tsp Salt
6 to 10 Cups Flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, butter, and salt. Add flour 2 cups at a time until you have a soft elastic dough. Let rise until double. Divide into 9-12 parts; roll them out and braid into loaves. Put on a greased cookie sheet. Let rise then bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. After removing from the oven, brush the top of the loaves with butter.

Variations: Brush with egg or mild and sprinkle with sesame seed or poppy seeds before baking. Make into individual French rolls: small braided rolls or just round rolls.