perfect white bread

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 2 cups milk, scalded
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon shortening
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees f/45 degrees c)
• 6 cups bread flour

Recipe

Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 40 mins Ready Time: 3 hrs


• in a small saucepan, heat milk until it . remove from heat and add the sugar, salt and shortening. cool to lukewarm. while milk mixture is cooling, dissolve yeast in warm water and let stand until creamy.
• combine cooled milk mixture with yeast and water in a large mixing bowl. stir in 2 cups of the flour, then add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to make a moderately stiff dough. knead on a lightly floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and turn to coat the dough. cover the bowl with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until the dough has doubled in volume (about 1 1/4 hours).
• lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans. punch down the dough and turn it out a lightly floured surface. shape into 2 balls, cover and let rest 10 minutes. shape dough into 2 loaves and place in pans; let rise until doubled (about 1 hour). preheat oven to 400 degrees f (200 degrees c).
• bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes or until the top is golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.