PAIN BLANC

Steps:

• Dissolve 1 tsp sugar in 1/2 cup warm water and sprinkle with yeast; place in a 2-cup mixing bowl and let rise in oven with only the oven light on for about 20 minutes or until the yeast has nearly reached the top.
• In a 12-quart pot, add the yeast mixture.
• Add 4 cups warm water, 4 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp salt and 1/2 cup cooking oil.
• Gradually add 11+ cups flour and knead about 10 minutes.
• Put the lid on the pot and place in oven (with only the oven light on) until the bread rises to the top of the pot.
• Punch down the dough with floured hands and knead about 5 minutes.
• Again, put the lid on the pot and place in the oven (with only the oven light on) and let rise until the dough reaches the top.
• Punch down with buttered hands and place the dough on your buttered counter or table.
• Cut the dough into 5 equal pieces.
• Shape into 5 loaves.
• Butter your hands and gently rub the butter onto the loaves before placing into buttered bread tins.
• Place in oven (with only the oven light on) and let rise until doubled in bulk - about 1 hour.
• Remove the loaves from the oven being careful not to puncture the loaves. Heat oven to 400°F then drop the temperature to 375°F Place loaves in the oven and bake for 35 minutes until golden brown.
• Enjoy a loaf steaming hot, sliced thick with butter. mmmm.
• The other loaves may be frozen when completely cooled.