Whole Wheat Braided Bread

This is a basic, really great whole wheat bread.

*3 pkg. Active Dry Yeast (2 1/4 tsp. each)
* 3 cups warm water
*1/2 cup sugar
*3 eggs
*1/3 cup vegetable oil
*1 Tbsp. salt
*5 cups whole wheat flour
*4  to 4 1/2 cups white flour

*Mix and knead for 8 minutes.  Cover with clean dish towel and let rise in warm place until doubled. (I put it in my oven that I had turned on to 350 degrees for 2 minutes then turned off)

*Punch down and shape into 3 loaves.  Take each loaf and cut into 3 long strips.  Braid them and tuck the ends under.  Place in greased loaf pans.  Let rise 30 more minutes.

*Preheat Oven at 350 degrees and bake loaves for 40 - 45 minutes. 

*This is really great bread.  My kids love it the most for toast and fresh strawberry jam.  Oh, and it looks pretty, too.  Good Luck!