Homemade Bread

Ingredients:

2 (.25) ounce packages active dry yeast

3 tablespoons white sugar

2 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees)

3 tablespoons lard, softened

1 tablespoon salt
6 1/2 cups bread flour

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Stir in lard, salt and two cups of the flour. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
   
2. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
   Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and form into loaves. Place the loaves into two lightly greased 9x5 inch loaf pans. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
   
3. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
   
4. Bake at 425 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
   
   

Notes from my kitchen to yours:

• I used butter instead of lard. Just make sure it is softened.
• The recipe says to knead the mixture for 8 minutes. I ended up kneading the mixture for about 15. Just make sure that the mixture is elastic.
• After you remove the baked bread from the oven, take a brush and spread some melted butter over the top of the loaf.

Enjoy, Ya'll!