Canape Bread
(dense crusty bread for appetizers)
1/3 cup very warm water
1 tsp sugar
1 pkg dry yeast
1 cup milk
2 Tblsp butter, melted
1 1/4 tsp salt
3-4 cups flour

In a cup or small bowl, stir together water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until mixture is foamy. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together milk, butter, and salt. Add yeast mixture, stir all together. Add 2 1/2 cups flour, blend together, then stir in as much of the remaining flour as necessary to form soft dough. Turn onto lightly floured board, knead for 7 minutes, adding as much of remaining flour as necessary to form smooth ball. Put into greased bowl, turn dough all around until greased all over. Cover with plastic wrap. Put in a warm place to rise until double. Punch down. Divide dough in half, roll into log 2 inches shorter than tube and insert into tube. Cap and bake in a 400 oven for 60-70 minutes. Makes 2 loaves. Variations: add one tsp sage or dill or other herb; add one cup grated cheddar cheese and eliminate butter; add 1/3 cup finely chopped pepperoni