White Bread

(Bea and Dick Webster)

(Makes 2 loaves - Great Toast)

 2 1/4 cups lukewarm water
3 tablespoons white granulated sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 cakes compressed yeast or 2 packages active dry yeast
2 tablespoons shortening
6 1/2 cups white flour, unsifted

In a large bowl, mix together the water, sugar, and salt, crumble in yeast.  Stir until well dissolved.  Add shortening.  Stir in 4 cups of flour, then 2 additional cups.  Use remainder of flour to knead bread dough until smooth and elastic (8 to 10 minutes).  Turn into large greased bowl, cover and set in a warm place to double.  Punch dough down, divide, and form into 2 large loaves.  Place in greased 9x5x3-inch bread pans.  Cover and let rise again (just up to the rim).  Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes until brown.  Turn out on wire rack to cool and spread top of loaves with butter while still warm so crust will be soft.  Tip:  Tap bread on bottom.  If it sounds hollow, bread is done.