This recipe can be made without a mixer, but is much easier if you have a Kitchen Aid mixer and use the dough hook.

2/3 cup warm water
½ tsp sugar (or honey)
4 tsp yeast

1 cup warm water
4 Tbsp sugar (or honey)
2 tsp salt
5 Tbsp oil
6 cups flour* (approximately)

1. Dissolve the yeast and (½ tsp) sugar in (2/3 cup) warm water and let sit for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, measure (1 cup) warm water into a mixing bowl. Add (4 Tbsp) sugar, salt, oil and the yeast mixture.
3. Gradually add the flour, mixing well until it forms a soft dough.
4. Form dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top.
5. Cover and let rise somewhere warm (like in the oven with the light turned on) for 1 to 1.5 hours or until doubled.
6. Punch down, knead for several minutes and shape into two loaves and place in greased loaf pans. Brush tops with oil.
7. Cover and let rise for another 1 to 1.5 hours.
8. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until the loaves are golden brown on top.

Makes two loaves.

* Note: You can substitute 2 cups of whole wheat flour. If doing so, add it first, and then finish by adding the all purpose flour.