SALLY LUNN BREAD

Steps:

• 1. Grease 2 Bundt pans o two 7-cup tube molds with butter (I used two loaf pans and I used butter-flavored Crisco)
• 2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk together the yeast and warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes or until foamy.
• 3. Fit the mixer with the dough hook and beat in the sugar, butter, milk, eggs, and salt. Mix in the flour, 1 cup at a time, to make a soft dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly-floured work surface and knead for 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic, adding only enough flour to prevent sticking. (I had to use almost 7 1/2 cups of flour--It was a cool day and I know that sometimes has something to do with it.)
• 4. Transfer the dough to a large bowl coated with vegetable oil and turn the dough to coat all surfaces. Cover with a slightly damp towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until doubled in size. (Trick I learned: Use a bath towel with an electric heating pad on the towel, place your bowl of dough on the heating pad. Cover the top of the bowl lightly with plastic film, wet and wring out a tea towel with hot water, wrap the top with the other side of the bath towel, turn on low to rise)
• 5. STIR the batter to deflate. Divide the dough between the prepared pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 40-45 minutes, until almost doubled in size. (It is a sticky-kind of dough so don't bother trying to roll it out just divide it between the two pans.)
• 6. Preheat the the oven to 400 degrees F.
• 7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
• 8. Remove the bread from the pans. Serve warm or cooled and toasted.
• 9. CHANTILLY CREAM: 2 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup sifted confectioners'sugar In a clean, dry bowl of an electric mixer on high speed, whip together the creama nd sugar until soft peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to serve. The cream will keep for 2-3 days covered but you will need to rewhip it before serving.
• 10. Note: The author recommended serving this with Chantilly Cream so I included his recipe. I'm not a huge fan of sweets so I skipped the Chantilly Cream and opted for butter! My mom say's this makes excellent French Toast but that you must use thick slices.