MY GREAT RECIPES FAMILY-STYLE WHITE BREAD
Makes 2 large (9 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch) loaves

2 pkgs. active dry yeast
5 to 5 1/2 cups bread flour* or all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup oil or melted shortening
2 cups hot tap water (120 to 130 degrees F)
Melted butter (to brush loaves after baking)

1. Measure yeast, 2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and oil into large mixing bowl, blending well. Stir in the hot water and beat with spoon until mixture is smooth and satiny.

2. Slowly add 3 cups more flour, mixing until dough pulls away from sides of bowl. Cover and let sand 10 minutes.

3. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and satiny.

4. Place dough into greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm place about 1 1/2 hours until doubled.

5. Punch dough down. Divide into 2 parts. Shape each into a loaf. Place into 2 greased 9 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch bread pans. Let rise again about 1 1/2 hours until doubled.

6. Bake at 375 degrees F 40 to 45 minutes or until loaves sound hollow when tapped and are golden in color. Remove from pans immediately. Then brush tops with melted butter.

VARIATIONS:

RAISIN BREAD:
Stir in 1 to 1 1/2 cups raisins before shaping into loaves.

CINNAMON LOAF:
To shape, roll dough out to a 14 by 7 inch rectangle. Sprinkle with mixture of 2 tbsp. sugar, 2 tsp. cinnamon. Roll up tightly to make loaf. Let rise and bake as usual for plain loaf.

*If you use bread flour, you may need a little less to make a stiff dough than when using all-purpose flour. Both flours make a fine loaf of bread.

Source: My Great Recipes Cards