Best Homemade Bread Ever

By learen

Ingredients

• 2 c lukewarm water
• 2 1/2 t active dry yeast
• 1/2 T sugar
• 1/4 c melted butter
• 1 T salt
• 1/4 c sugar
• 1/2 c evaporated milk
• 5-7 c bread flour, white or wheat
• 1 T shortening
• 1 T butter to top bread

Details

Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 180mins
Adapted from iheartnaptime.net

Preparation

Step 1

Place the yeast and sugar in a small bowl. Pour the warm water, not too hot, over the yeast mixture and let it sit for 15-20 min or until nice and bubbly.
Combine melted butter, sugar, evap milk, and salt into a large mixing bowl. When your yeast mixture is ready add them together and mix.
If you are using a stand mixer put on your bread hook and then pour in 3 c of flour. If not you can stir knead it as well. Then add in 1 c flour at a time and mix. when you get to 5 c, add in 1/2 c more of flour at a time until the dough is no longer sticking to the sides. You'll know its ready when your fingers no longer stick to the dough.
Then cover the ball of dough and sides of the bowl with shortening and cover the bowl with a warm towel. Set by the window and allow to rise about 1 1/2 hours. When it has risen over the bowl punch it down and place on a floured surface.
Knead the dough for 2-3 min.
Cut dough into two pieces and roll them out into a rectangle. Roll the dough up and place into 2 greased bread pans.
Let the bread rise again and when it looks like a good loaf of bread place them in the oven at 375 for 25 min. When the bread is done, coat the top with butter and remove on to a cooling rack. Enjoy.