Easy Bread Recipe for the Kitchen Novice

Nothing beats the taste of freshly baked bread! And, you will double your satisfaction if you do the baking yourself.  Here's an easy-to-follow recipe for first-time bakers.
First, assemble the following ingredients: 
¾ cup warm water1 package of yeast 1 teaspoon salt1 ½ tablespoon of sugar1 tablespoon vegetable shortening½ cup milk3 cups of all-purpose flour

Instructions:
1. Pour the flour and water onto a large bowl.  Slowly stir in your active dry yeast until it dissolves.
2. Stir in your sugar, salt, shortening, and milk to the bowl.  
3. Bring the flour mixture from the sides of the bowl into the center.  Keep on doing this until you get a thick and heavy consistency. 
4. Add the remaining water and continue mixing until you get a thick consistency again.  
5. Sprinkle some flour on a kneading board, and transfer the dough onto the board. You may add more flour to the mixture to make the dough softer and less sticky.
6. Cover your hands with flour and start kneading the dough. Just slap, push, fold and roll the dough around for about 5 minutes until you get a stretchy and flexible dough.
7. Spread a little butter onto a bowl and transfer your dough into that bowl. Turn the dough over to get the greased part of the dough on top.  
8. Cover the bowl and place in a warm area for about an hour.  The ideal location is moist and free of draught. This will enhance the flavor and texture of the dough, and aid the yeast in making your dough rise.
9. After an hour, the dough would have doubled its size.  Get the air out of the dough by punching and squashing it for about half a minute.
10. At this point, you may now shape and flavor the dough to your own preference. You can fold it or add a filling. It's up to you.
11. Leave the dough to rise for another 30 minutes until it has doubled its size again.  This is a very important step, as this will give your bread a light and soft texture. Just leave it untouched and let it rise on its own.
12. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
13. Spread a little butter on your baking tray or bread pan. Gently set your dough into the pan or on the tray. Cut three slashes across the top of the dough to score it. 
14. Put the bread dough into the preheated oven.  Remember to close the oven door gently so you don't lose the air inside the dough. Bake it for around 45 minutes or until it turns golden brown. To find out if it's done, tap the bottom. It should give out a hollow sound, otherwise return it to the oven and bake for a few more minutes.
15. When bread is done, place it on a rack or a clean dishtowel and let cool for about half an hour. 
16. Enjoy your bread! You may put any leftovers in the freezer.