French Onion Bread

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water (110 to 115 )
• 5 1/4-5 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 4 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups hot water (120 to 130 )
• 1 1/4 ounces onion soup mix
• 3 tablespoons shortening

Recipe

• 1 in a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. add 1/2 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar and salt; beat until smooth, about 1 minute. cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.
• 2 in a small bowl, combine hot water, soup mix, shortening and remaining sugar. cool to 115°. add to yeast mixture with 2 cups flour; mix for 1-2 minutes.
• 3 stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• 4 punch the dough down; divide into thirds. shape into loaves; place in three greased 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pans. cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until golden brown. remove from pans to cool on wire racks.