Old Fashion White Bread

This is how I remember my mom & grandma's bread tasting.  Nice and fluffy.   Your house will smell wonderful and what  a treat.  I love to slice a small piece off when it's hot and put a little butter on it, yummy!

OLD FASHION WHITE BREAD
(2 loafs)

Ingredients:
*4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
*3 tablespoons white sugar
*2 1/2 cups warm water
*3 tablespoons lard
*1 tablespoon salt
*6 1/2 cup flour

Directions:
~Dissolve yeast & sugar in water in a large bowl.
~Allow to sit for 10 minutes, to proof.
~Stir in lard, salt.
~Stir in flour 1/2 cup at a time.
~Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.
~Knead dough for about 6-8 minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic.
~Lightly grease a large glass bowl.
~Place down into greased bowl, mover around and flip.
~Cover bowl with a damp clean cloth.
~Let dough rise in a warm, draft free area, until doubled, about 1 hour.
~Punch down dough, and let rest for 10 minutes.
~Grease two (9x5) loaf pans.
~Divide dough into equal parts.
~Place the dough into loaf pans.
~Cover with a damp cloth.
~Let dough rise in a warm, draft free area, until doubled, about 1 hour.
~Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
~Once the oven has reach that temp, put the loaf pans in the oven and decrease the oven to 375 degrees.
~Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hallow when tapped.
~Remove from oven.
~Tip over loaf pan, and let the bread gently fall out of the pan.
~Rub butter along the top of the hot bread.
~Let cool, before slicing.