It makes the bread tender and moist, and gives it more flavor.
Lard is not needed to make yeast bread. You can make excellent bread with just yeast, flour, water, and salt for flavoring. If your recipe calls for shortening or butter, substitute the same amount of lard for each. (Except for brushing the tops of the dough; butter or egg wash still works best for that.)
lard
Shortening is the same as lard, so the ratio is 1:1.
No, you do not need a bread maker to make bread. You can make bread using traditional methods such as kneading the dough by hand and baking it in an oven.
The amount of butter or lard in any yeast bread is going to depend on the specific recipe being followed. Lard and butter can be exchanged in the same amount in most recipes. Melted lard is the equivalent of melted butter, although technically melted butter may include some percentage of water. But that difference is not likely to affect the outcome of the bread. The main difference between lard and butter is in the taste.
To make bread, you need flour, water, yeast, salt, and sometimes sugar or oil.
One does NOT need more water to make wholemeal bread than to make white bread.
Not all breads are vegan as some breads have honey, milk or eggs in them. Check the ingredients. Standard Brand Warburtons is NOT Vegan, while Hovis IS. Make sure the bread does not contain animal fats, like lard.
Some bread recipes call for a little fat to make the bread richer (some use a lot - like brioche). You can use margarine, butter, lard, olive oil, or any other fat you like. Some breads need the firm fat like butter, especially when a lot is used in the recipe.
Beef fat and lard are used less in cooking since the introduction of hydrogenated vegetable oils.
To make it light and fluffy.
I need two cups of bread flour. I have ap flour and cream of tartar though. How do I make bread flour from what I have?