Momma Lovell's homemade bread

In a microwave-safe bowl combine:

• 3 c. milk (can be substituted with water for very little flavor/texture difference, as we learned on accident.)
  
• 9 T. shortening
• 4 T. sugar
• 2 T. salt

Microwave until shortening is melted. Let sit for a few minutes.

In KitchenAid mix:

• 2 c. water
• 2 T. yeast
• 4 T. sugar
• 4 c. flour

Let sit until mixture starts to grow (about 5ish minutes).

Alternately add shortening mixture and 7 cups flour to the yeast mixture. (Flour measurement is an estimate. Add until the dough starts to pull away from the side of the bowl.) Let knead for 5 minutes.

Cover with towel and let rise for 1 hour.

Split into 5 small loaves (if you have small loaf pans. Probably 3ish normal sized pans). Roll into an elongated oval with a rolling pin (to get out air bubbles), then roll up like you would do a cinnamon roll. Pinch the seam together and fold in the ends. Place in a greased loaf pan.

Let raise (covered with a towel) in loaf pan until approx. the size you want. Then place in a preheated oven (350 degrees) and bake for 35 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

Immediately remove from pan and place on a cooling rack or a towel and butter the top of the loaves.

***Note: This recipe did not fit in my KitchenAid. To compensate, we split the recipe in half. While the dough of the first half was kneading, I started the microwaving the stuff for the second half. I let the first half start to raise in a separate bowl and immediately put the stuff in the KitchenAid for the second half. When it was done kneading, I added it to the bowl with the first half in it, and briefly kneaded the two together, then let them rise together.


Recipe courtesy of Mom Lovell