Basic Sweet Dough

Ingredients

• 5 cups sifted bread flour
  
• 4 teaspoons dry yeast
  
• ¾ cup lukewarm water
  
• 1 cup whole milk
  
• ½ cup sugar
  
• ¼ cup oil
  
• 2 teaspoons salt
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

Procedure

1. Soften yeast in water
   
2. Combine milk, sugar, oil and salt. Stir until salt and sugar dissolves.
   
3. Stir together 2 cups flour, yeast, and milk mixture. Beat until smooth about 2 minutes on medium speed of electronic mixer or 300 strokes by hand.
   
4. Add 2 more cups of flour and stir. Add eggs one at a time stirring after each addition.
   
5. Add the rest of the flour as needed to make a moderately stiff dough. Turn onto a lightly floured board. Knead until smooth and elastic about 8-10 minutes.
   
6. Shape into a smooth ball and place in a slightly greased bowl, turning to grease all sides of the dough. Greasing the dough prevents crusts formation that hinders proper rising.
   
7. Cover with a clean cloth and let stand in a warm place, away from drafts until doubled, about 1- ½ hours.
   
8. Punch down. Let rise again 20 to 30 minutes. The handles and shapes better after the second rising. Cut and shape into desired breads.