White Bread or Buns

2-1/2 teaspoons yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup warm water
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon shortening
1 tablespoon butter, melted

1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and let stand until foamy.
2. Sift together flour and salt. Stir the shortening into the wet ingredients and slowly incorporate the flour and salt until you have a soft, elastic dough.
3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for several minutes, then transfer to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean tea towel and put in a warm place to double in bulk, about an hour.
4. Pound down dough and return to the bowl. Cover and return to a warm place until doubled in bulk again.
5. To make buns, roll out dough to 1/2" thickness and cut out buns with the rim of a pint glass and place on a baking sheet. To make bread, cut dough in two and press into the bottom of greased loaf pans.
6. Return buns or bread to a warm place to rise.
7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
8. Bake buns or bread until golden brown and sound hollow when you tap on the bottom, about 45 minutes.
9. Brush the top of the buns or bread with melted butter to prevent drying.

Makes 12 servings