2 c. warm water
1 pkg. or 1 tbsp. yeast
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. Wesson oil or melted Crisco (not corn or sunflower oil)
2 tsp. salt
5 1/2 - 6 c. bread flour

Dissolve the yeast in water with 1 teaspoon sugar, using your mixer bowl. Let stand 5 minutes. Beat in 2 cups of flour at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add sugar and 2 more cups flour and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add oil and salt, blending well. Add 1 1/2 to 2 cups flour to make a moderately stiff dough. Knead dough until light and satiny (about 5 or 6 minutes). Place in a bowl, cover and let rise until doubled. A warm temperature of 85 degrees is an ideal rising temperature.

TO MAKE DESIRED FORMS: Punch down and knead lightly. Let rest on a board for 10 minutes covered with an inverted bowl.

SANDWICH BUNS (ABOUT 12) : Roll dough 1/2" thick, cut circles with a 1 pound Crisco can. Place on a greased baking sheet. Let rest 10 minutes. Roll a little on the pan to flatten to make larger. Brush with melted butter if you want soft crust. (Brush with slightly beaten egg white and 2 tablespoons water if you want hard crust.) Sprinkle sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top, if desired. Cover lightly with Glad Wrap and let rise until doubled. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

LOAF (Makes 2) : Shape loaves and place in greased loaf pans. Brush with butter or egg white. Let rise until doubled. Bake about 35 minutes at 400 degrees until brown. Let set in pan for 2 minutes. Turn onto a rack to cool.

ROUND LOAF (Like Italian, 2 loaves) : Roll out circle about 1" thick. Place on a cookie sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled. Prick the top lightly with a fork. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

PULL BREAD (2 loaves, Bundt or tube pan) : Divide the dough into two pieces. Cut each piece into about 12 pieces. Dip one side into butter and arrange in greased pan so one side dipped touches another piece of dough. Cover and let rise until doubled. Bake 400 degrees about 40 minutes until nicely browned. You may want to brush again lightly with butter and put back in the oven for a couple of minutes.

HARD ROLLS (Makes 12 to 18) : Cut dough with a large biscuit cutter. Fold the dough over to make elongated rolls. Place on a greased pan with the fold underneath. Brush with beaten egg white and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Let rise until doubled. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. To make soft rolls, brush with butter and no seeds.

PIZZA DOUGH (Makes 4) : Use the same basic dough recipe. Divide into 4 balls. Work dough to edges of a round pan until 1/4" to 3/8" thick. Let the dough rest on the pan a little, this helps to work the dough to the edges. Put on the desired toppings. Let rise 15 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.