traditional white bread

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees f/45 degrees c)
• 3 tablespoons lard, softened
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 6 1/2 cups bread flour

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Ready Time: 2 hrs 30 mins


• 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 a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
• 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 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.
• preheat oven to 425 degrees f (220 degrees c).
• bake at 375 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.