Wheat Bread

2 Tblsp. Yeast

1/2 cup hot water

1/2 tsp. sugar

5 cups hot liquid, milk, water, or veg. water

2/3 cup shortening, veg. oil or margarine

2/3 cup sweetener, gran. sugar, brn sugar, honey, or molasses

2 Tblsp. salt, less if using margarine

7 cups whole wheat flour

2 each eggs

5 cups white flour

In a small bowl mix yeast, hot water, and 1/2 tsp. sugar. Set aside. In a microwaveable bowl mix together 5 cups hot liquid, 2/3 cup shortening, 2/3 cup sweetener. Place in microwave for appox. 5 min. on high, or until very hot to the touch but not boiling (shortening should be melted.). In a heavy duty mixer mix hot liquid, 7 cups whole wheat flour (add slowly to liquid), salt, and eggs. Mix slowly at first and then on med high speed for about 5 minutes. At this point slowly add your yeast mixture with mixer speed on slow. At this point if you have a really good heavy duty mixer put your kneading hook on. Slowly add the rest of your white flour until your dough comes clean from the bowl. Knead for approximately 10 minutes by hand or by machine. While your dough is kneading oil the sides and bottom of a large bowl (at least a 10 quart bowl). Put your dough in oiled bowl and turn over so that all sides of you dough as oil on it. Place your bowl in a warm spot in the kitchen. Sometimes I put mine in a warmed oven. Let rise for approx. 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in size. Punch dough down and divide into thirds. Make into 4 loaves and place seam side down in the loaf pans. Let rise for about 1/2 hour. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Remove from pans, and place loaves on their sides on a cooling rack. You can butter the tops to make them soft if you like.

NOTE Do not double.