Cracked Wheat Bread

I make bread twice a week. I have tried many different recipes, but I always come back to this one because my family loves it so much. My grandma has been making this recipe for 20 years. You can buy cracked wheat at any health food store, or kitchen specialty store. (P.S. My bread is ugly...I can't seem to make a pretty loaf of bread :), but it sure does taste yummy!)

Mix in a mixing bowl for a minute:
½ cup shortening
1 cup powdered milk
3 cups very warm water

Add to mixing bowl:
8 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp salt
1 cup cracked wheat
5-6 cups bread flour (I do 2 cups whole wheat flour & 4 cups bread flour)

Stir in a separate bowl while above is mixing:
1 cup warm water
1 ½ Tbsp yeast
pinch of sugar

Directions:

Let the yeast grow for 5-10 minutes while the other bowl is mixing. Add yeast mixture to bowl. Mix for 2 minutes, then add more flour until ready (1-2 more cups). Let it knead with a dough hook for 15 minutes (or knead by hand, ugh.) Let it rise until double in size, around an hour. Cut into 3 loaves. Shape and place in loaf pans lined with Crisco. Let rise for about 30 minutes. Bake at 350 for 35 or so minutes. To check if it is done, knock on the underside of the crust – it should sound hollow.