Vaisiu Pyragas -- Fruit Bread (Lithuania)

• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 1 1/2 cups milk, warm
• 8 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 3/4 lb dried fruit, chopped fine
• 1 1/2 cups light raisins
• 2/3 cup walnuts, chopped
• 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted (again)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (again)
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1. In a large bowl whisk together yeast, JUST 1/2 cup of the sugar, milk, JUST 3 cups of the flour & salt, combining until smooth, then cover & let stand for 1 hour.
2. After the 1 hour, add the 4 ounces of melted butter, eggs, another 1/2 cup of sugar & the remaining flour, & knead until smooth & elastic, about 5 minutes.
3. Add chopped fruits, raisins & nuts & knead until well incorporated, then cover & let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
4. In a small container, mix 1/2 cup of sugar with the cinnamon & set aside, then grease two large loaf pans.
5. Divide dough in half &, on a lightly floured surface, roll each half, one at a time, into a rectangle about 12 inches by 16 inches.
6. Spread each half with melted butter & the sugar/cinnamon mixture, then roll the dough up lengthwise & tuck in the ends before placing them in the prepared loaf pans.
7. Cover pans with greased plastic wrap & let rise until doubled.
8. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F & bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees F & bake 50 minutes longer.
9. Turn loaves out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
10. If desired, the loaves can be served plain, dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with a vanilla icing.

active dry yeast, sugar, milk, flour, salt, unsalted butter, eggs, dried fruit, light raisins, walnuts, unsalted butter, sugar, ground cinnamon

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/vaisiu-pyragas-fruit-bread-lithuania-373359 (may not work)