Sourdough Bread

Sourdough Bread 

4 c. bread flour
2 t. yeast
2 t. salt
3 T. sugar
1 c. warm milk
1 1/2 c. starter
2 T. butter, softened

1. Combine 1 cup flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a bowl.  
2. Add the milk and butter (using a wooden spoon).  Stir in the starter.  
3. Mix in up to 3 more cups of bread flour and start kneading the dough on a floured surface. (May need to add more flour depending on the humidity.)
4. Knead for about 5 - 8 minutes.   
5. Place in a greased bowl, turn once, and let rise for an hour or until the dough has doubled in size. 
6. Punch down and knead dough again for 1-2 minutes.  (This allows the yeast to redistribute and improves the texture when baked)  
7. Form dough into loaves.  (Sometimes I use a bread pan if wanting sandwiches, braid the loaf or other times I divide the dough into two loaves and bake it on a cookie sheet - this way you can keep one loaf and give one to a friend)
8. Allow the loaf to rise again until doubled, about an hour.
9. Brush loaf with egg whites for a nice finish. 
10. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes (maybe more depending on if you make one loaf or two). 
11. While bread is baking, spray water into the oven a couple times or place some water on the shelf below to create steam in the oven, this will make a better crust. 

Enjoy!