Easy Batter Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 1/4 cups warm water (110\u00b0-115\u00b0F)
3 cups all-purpose unbleached white flour (or unbleached white \"bread flour\")
2 tablespoons soft unsalted butter
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons sugar
unsalted butter, for brushing the top crust (optional)

Preparation

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
Stir sugar into yeast/water mixture, let mixture sit until tiny bubbles start to form.
Add butter, salt and half the flour.
With electric mixer on medium speed, beat batter for 2 minutes.
Add remaining flour, stirring by hand (or on low speed) until well blended and smooth (batter will be very thick, like a very soft dough).
Cover bowl with a tea towel, and let the batter rise in a warm draft free place for 30-60 minutes or until doubled.
Beat the batter by hand, about 25 strokes (the dough will deflate).
Spread batter evenly into a greased 8x3 or 9x4 inch loaf pan.
Smooth out the top of the loaf by patting it with your floured hand.
Cover pan, and let batter rise again (about 30-60 minutes) until dough has reached the top of the pan.
Bake in a preheated 375\u00b0F oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when the top is lightly tapped.
Remove from pan.
For a softer crust, brush the top of the hot loaf with butter.
Cool on a wire rack.
Bread slices best when it is cooled.