Amish White Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees) (may need to add more while mixing)
• 1/3 - 2/3 cup white sugar (depending on how sweet you want it)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 6 cups bread flour
• Shortening for greasing

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well greased bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well greased 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes (or until inside of bread reaches a temperature of 200 degrees). Brush some melted butter over the top crust while it's on the cooling rack to keep the crust soft.

* Adapted from http://allrecipes.com/recipe/amish-white-bread/detail.aspx