Ingredients
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup water and set aside. It will soon start bubbling.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, 2 cups of water, oil and salt. Mix.
- Add the eggs and the yeast mixture and mix well.
- Add 4 cups of flour, and mix well again. Add the remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead knead knead. (If you are doing this in a mixer, just knead in the mixer.) When it is smooth and elastic, it is done. You may need to add a little extra flour or water to get it to that earlobe consistency. You can add the raisins here if you'd like.
- Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise until doubled in size.
- Punch down, knead another few minutes, and return to the bowl for another rising.
- Divide into thirds (by cutting with a knife; don't pull), and shape into loaves.
- Heat oven to 350°F
- Place each loaf in a prepared pan or on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with the egg/water mixture, and sprinkle with seeds if you wish.
- Bake for about 45 minutes. When done, the loaves will sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.