Soften active dry yeast in 1/4 cup warm water (110°). Combine hot water, sugar, salt, honey, and shortening; cool to lukewarm. Stir in whole wheat flour and 1 cup of the white flour; beat well. Stir in softened yeast. Add enough of remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough. Turn out on a lightly floured surface; knead till smooth and satiny (10 to 12 minutes). Shape dough in a ball; place in lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover; let rise in warm place till double (about 1 1/2 hours). Punch down. Cut in 2 portions; shape each in smooth ball. Cover and let rest 10 minutes. Shape loaves; place in greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pans. Let rise till double (about 1 1/4 hours). Bake at 375° about 45 minutes. Cover loosely with foil last 20 minutes if loaves brown too quickly. Makes 2 loaves. |