This recipe for four loaves of white bread is perfect for baking ahead and freezing for when you need them.
Ingredients
1 1/2 tablespoon active dry yeast
2 2/3 cups plus 3/4 cup warm water (95 to 110 F), divided
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon salt
3 tablespoons shortening
9 to 10 cups bread flour , as needed
Method
1
Gather the ingredients.
2
In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast with the 3/4 cup warm water.
3
Add the remaining amount of 2 2/3 cups of warm water, sugar, and salt. Stir until dissolved.
4
Add shortening and 4 cups of flour. Mix well. Slowly add the remaining amount of flour until dough is formed. You may or may not use the full amount of flour.
5
Turn dough out onto a floured board. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, adding more flour by the tablespoon, if necessary.
6
Grease a large bowl. Put the bread dough into the bowl, then turn the dough over so that the top of the dough is greased.
7
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise at room temperature until double in size or about 1 hour.
8
Punch down dough. Turn it out onto a floured board and knead out all the bubbles for about 5 minutes.
9
Divide the dough into 4 equal parts. Form each quarter into a loaf by rolling the dough into a rectangle. Roll the dough up like a jelly roll. Pinch seam closed. Pinch and tuck edges under the loaf.
10
Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease 4 loaf pans or 2 baking sheets.
11
Spread a light layer of yellow cornmeal on the loaf pans or baking sheets, if desired.
12
Set loaves in 9 x 5-inch pans or 2 loaves on each baking sheet, cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise until double in size or for about a half-hour.
13
Bake breads for about 45 minutes or until golden brown.
14
Remove breads from oven and turn out loaves onto the rack. Allow loaves to cool completely before freezing.