2 and 1/2 cups warm water, divided
3 TBL instant mashed potato flakes
3/4 cup sugar
2 and 1/4 tsp yeast
1/2 cup oil
1 TBL salt
6-7 cups flour
DAY 1
The day before; heat one cup water until warm, about 110-115 degrees. Mix it with potato flakes, sugar and yeast. It should start foaming a little within a few minutes. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight.
DAY 2
The next morning, heat remaining 1 and 1/2 cups warm water to 110-115 degrees.
Mix water with oil and salt then stir into the yeast mixture.
Stir the flour into this mixture until smooth and well-combined. It is easiest with a stand mixer but you can use a wood spoon as well.
Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
Stir or punch down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
Divide dough in half. Lightly knead each half 6 to 8 times then shape into loaves.
Place into the greased loaf pans.
Cover and let rise until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, until 200-210 degrees.
Rotate loaves halfway through baking.
Cool in pans for 15 minutes then turn out onto a cooling rack.
Cool completely before slicing.