Italian Bread

Italian Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 tablespoons crisco or tenderflake
1 1/4 cups warm water
2 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons salt

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions:

1 Mix together shortening, sugar, salt, yeast, and 1 cup flour. Add warm water and beat by hand until manageable, or 3 minutes with an electric mixer. Add remaining flour, scraping bowl often, and mix all together until smooth.
2 Cover with a clean cloth and let rise until doubled in volume.
3 Stir dough down gently, and spoon into a lightly greased 9x5 inch loaf pan (the batter should be sticky). Pat down with floured hands to help shape. Cover again, and let rise for about 30 minutes.
4 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
5 Bake for about 45 minutes. Place on a cooling rack, and brush top with melted butter.