Basic White Bread

By polledl

Ingredients

• 2 ( 1/4-ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 cups warm water (105°F to 115°F)
• 6 to 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup dry milk powder
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 2 teaspoons salt

Details

Preparation time 20mins
Cooking time 55mins

Preparation

Step 1

1Sprinkle yeast and sugar over warm water in bowl; stir until dissolved. Let stand until bubbly, 5 minutes.
.2Add 3 cups flour, dry milk powder, shortening and salt. Beat until blended, about 2 minutes. Stir in enough additional flour, about 3 cups, to make a soft dough. Knead on floured surface until smooth, 10 minutes, adding remaining 1/2 cup flour to prevent sticking, if necessary. Shape dough into ball; place in oiled bowl. Turn over. Cover; let rise in warm place until double in size, 1 hour.
.3Punch down dough. Knead on floured surface 1 minute. Cut in half. Cover with towel; let stand 10 minutes. Grease two 81/2 × 41/2-inch pans.
.4Roll each dough half into 12 × 8-inch rectangle. Starting at short sides, roll up jelly roll fashion. Pinch to seal. Place loaves, seam sides down, in pans, tucking ends under. Cover; let rise in warm place until double in size, about 1 hour.
.5Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake until loaves sound hollow when tapped, about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove to wire racks.