Paul's Grandmother's Easter Bread

Ingredients

• 12 cups flour, separated
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 3/8 teaspoon turmeric (optional)
• 7 cups lukewarm water, separated
• 2 1/4 tablespoons fast rising yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 cups canola oil

Directions

1. 1

   In a very large bowl combine dry ingredients: 10 cups flour, salt and tumeric.

2. 2

   In a second smaller bowl prepare wet ingredients: 1 cup water, yeast and sugar.

3. 3

   Let wet ingredients sit for 10 minutes until yeast has risen slightly.

4. 4

   Add remaining water and 2 cups oil to the wet ingredients.

5. 5

   Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix together well.

6. 6

   Work the dough in the bowl then on a well floured counter, adding as much of the remaining 2 cups of flour as needed to form a smooth dough that no longer sticks to your hands as you work.

7. 7

   Cover the bowl and place in a warm spot on top of a hot water bottle or heating pad set to low.

8. 8

   Let rise 1 hour then punch down the dough to remove any air pockets.

9. 9

   Let rise 1 more hour and punch down again.

10. 10

    Form dough into loaves and place into well greased bread pans.

11. 11

    Let rise in pans for an additional 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

12. 12

    Brush each loaf with milk or egg.

13. 13

    Bake on middle rack at 350° for 45 minutes to 1 hour (bake longer for a crusty bread).