Holiday Bread

Prep Time: 4 Hours
Yields: 2 Loaves

Comment:
This soft-centered bread is often served hot out of the oven on holidays as a special treat. This family recipe from Lake Charles, La., gives a simple technique that creates a masterful loaf.

Ingredients:
2 packages quick-acting yeast
1 tsp sugar
½ cup warm water
6 cups bread flour
1½ tsps baking powder
2 tbsps shortening
2 tbsps sugar
1 tsp salt
1½ cups warm water
¼ cup melted butter

Method:
Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in ½ cup warm water. Set aside to blossom approximately 10 minutes. Grease 2 loaf pans and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder and shortening. Using a pastry cutter, mix shortening into flour. Add 2 tablespoons sugar, salt, 1½ cups warm water and blossomed yeast mixture. Blend well until a dough ball forms. On a lightly-floured surface, knead dough 5–8 minutes. Place in a lightly-greased bowl and cover with a dry cloth. Set in a warm place to rise approximately 1 hour. Once doubled in size, punch dough down, cover and allow it to rise 1 additional hour. Punch down dough again then divide in half. Form each half into a loaf and place in pans. Cover each pan and allow dough to double in size again. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake bread 1 hour or until golden brown. Remove from oven and brush each loaf with melted butter. When ready to serve, slice and top with additional butter or honey.