FABULOUSLY EASY WHITE BREAD

Steps:

• Mix shortening, salt, and sugar in a large bowl for about 2 minutes.
• Do not worry if the shortening does not completely melt, but make a good attempt.
• Add the hot milk and water.
• Let cool to lukewarm.
• In a small bowl, mix yeast with 1/4 cup water.
• Let stand 5 minutes.
• Add 3 cups flour and yeast all at once and mix until well blended.
• Add 2 more cups of flour, one cup at a time, mixing until blended well.
• Pour dough onto lightly floured board.
• (It will not actually"pour," so scrape out remnants with a spatula or potlicker.) Knead for two minutes with floured hands.
• Let rest for ten minutes.
• Dough will be very sticky.
• Adding enough of the remaining flour to keep the dough from sticking, knead the dough until smooth, elastic, and pliable (about 8-10 minutes.) Place the dough in a large, greased bowl, turning once to grease.
• Cover and allow to rise in a warm spot for about an hour or until doubled in bulk.
• Punch dough down and let rise to previous size and perhaps a little bigger (about 30-45 minutes.) Split dough into two halves.
• Place each half in a loaf pan and cover.
• Allow to rise until doubled in bulk (anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours) Bake in 425 degree oven for 15 minutes.
• Remove from oven and cover in a cloth.
• Change oven heat to 375 and bake for 15 minutes.
• Remove pan from oven and immediately remove from pan.
• Knock lightly on the bottom of the loaf.
• If a hollow sound is made, bread is done.
• If not, return to the pan and bake 5-15 minutes.
• Allow to cool for 30 minutes before slicing.
• Notes for great crusts: For a hard, crisp crust, brush the top with cold water three or four times while baking.
• For a soft crust, brush with cold milk or melted butter before baking.
• For a shiny crust, brush a mixture of egg yolk and one tbsp milk on bread before baking.