Amish Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. hot water
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. butter
2 pkg. dry yeast
1/2 c. lukewarm water
1 Tbsp. sugar
6 1/2 c flour
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. milk

Preparation

Pour hot water over the 2 Tbsp. sugar, salt and butter.
Cool to lukewarm (butter should be melted).
Dissolve yeast in the 1/2 c. lukewarm water mixed with 1 Tbsp. sugar.
When the yeast is working and the liquids have cooled, combine them.
Add flour until a stiff dough forms, mixing well after each addition.
Knead stiff dough 8 - 10 minutes, adding the rest of the flour as needed.
Dough should be smooth and elastic.
Place in greased bowl and let stand for 25 minutes.
Punch down and let rise for 15 minutes.
Punch down and let rise for 15 minutes three more times. Form three round loaves and put on cookie sheet(s).
Slash tops every inch before rising.
Let rise and brush with a mixed egg yolk and milk before baking at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. This bread takes a little extra time but is well worth the effort. The rising/punching down gives the loaves a wonderful texture not found in most homemade breads.
This is a great bread to serve with a hot bowl of homemade soup.