Jean’s Basic Bread Dough

My neighbor Jean shared her bread recipe with me (and gave me permission to share it with you) so I decided to give it a go.  The recipe makes 5 loaves!  I decided to make 2 loaves and use the rest of the dough for donuts which Jean showed a group of us how to make and which I will share with you all tomorrow.  (PS  Cute bread box from Amazon.)

3 1/3 cups lukewarm water

3 tablespoons dry yeast

6 tablespoons sugar, divided

3 1/3 cups milk

1/2 cup shortening

3 scant tablespoons salt

13 – 14 cups flour

1  To proof the yeast, pour the warm water into the bowl of your mixer and sprinkle the yeast and 1 tablespoon of the sugar over the top of the water.  Let sit for about 10 minutes or until all the yeast is dissolved and foamy.

2  Heat milk and shortening together on stove top or in microwave until shortening is melted, stir to combine.

3  To the yeast mixture, add the remaining 5 tablespoons of sugar and the salt then start adding flour, with mixer on low and fitted with bread hook attachment, alternating with the milk/shortening, mixing until you have a soft dough.

4  Place dough in a large bowl coated with oil, brush oil over the top of the dough, cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double in size.  (Jean said probably no more than an hour, mine took about 30 – 40 minutes.)

5  Divide dough into 5 equal portions, shape into loaves, and place in greased loaf pans.  Brush oil on top of loaves, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rise till slightly above loaf pans.  (This didn’t take long either, maybe 20 – 30 minutes.)

6  Remove plastic wrap and bake at 350 – 375 for 30 – 35 minutes or till golden brown.  Turn out of pans and cool on cooling racks.  Brush tops with butter.