Italian Bread

3 c Warm Water
1.5 TB
2 TB
1 TB Salt
1/4 c Butter (melted)
7-9 c Flour

Butter
Egg

1. Combine water, yeast, and 1/2 tsp sugar. Stir until yeast dissolves. Cover 5-10 minutes.
2. Large bowl: Mix salt, 2 TB sugar, butter, yeast mix, 3.5 c flour. Add flour .5 c at a time up to 3.5 c (7 total).
3. Knead 10 minutes on low. Transfer to greased large bowl. Let rise 20 to 40 minutes.
4. Punch down & divide in half. Roll into 10" baguette. Make 3 cuts in top. Beat egg whites and brush over dough.
5. Preheat oven to 350'. When dough doubles bake 30 minutes.