Fresh Bread

I loved coming home from school as a kid, and walking in the front door and being able to smell fresh bread baking....it was one of the best smells in the world. This is actually my mom's recipe that has been passed down to me. Got to love me some fresh bread!!!!!!

Makes: 2 loaves

6 cups flour
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. oil
2 Tbsp. yeast
2 1/4 cup warm water

Prep Notes: Make sure that when you are getting the warm water that is is warm...not hot...and not cold...either one of these can cause the yeast to not activate and grow and that would lead to flat bread.

Add warm water and oil to yeast, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Let sit for a couple minutes to let the yeast activate. Add flour by the cup full and mix until the dough is no longer sticky. Knead several times. Grease another bowl and place dough in the bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let sit until it has doubled in size.

Punch dough down and knead a couple times. Separate dough into two parts. Place dough in a oiled loaf pan and spread to fill the whole pan. Let rise again until the dough had risen above the top of the pan.

Bake at 425 for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tops of the loaves are a golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. Remove from oven and pans onto a towel. Butter the tops and let cool.

Enjoy each slice with butter or jam...also goes great with stews and soups!!!!