Casserole Bread

An easy, no knead recipe. Been with me for years but I can't tell you where it came from. Preparation time includes time for the bread to rise twice.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 15

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4ounce) package dry yeast
• 1⁄2 cup warm water
• 1⁄2 cup  warm milk (scald then cool)
• 2⁄3 cup butter or 2⁄3 cup margarine, softened
• 2  eggs
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 3  cups flour

Directions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in large mixing bowl.
2. Add milk, butter, eggs, salt and 1 cup flour.
3. Beat on low 30 seconds then on medium 2 minutes.
4. Scrape batter from sides of bowl.
5. Stir in remaining flour until smooth.
6. Cover; let rise in warm place until double (30 minutes). Stir down by beating about 25 strokes.
7. Spread evenly in greased 2-quart casserole.
8. Cover; let rise until double, about 40 minutes.
9. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
10. Place loaf on low rack so that top of casserole is in center of oven.
11. Bake until loaf is brown and sounds hallow when tapped, 40-45 minutes.
12. Immediately remove from casserole.
13. Brush top with margarine.
14. Cool on wire rack.