Good Friday Sweet Bread

• 2 tablespoons fresh yeast
• 1 cup sugar plus
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup milk warm
• 4 cups bread flour
• vegetable oil for oiling
• 4 eggs room temperature
• 1 teaspoon rose water or Vin Santo
• 2 cups unsalted butter room temperature
• unsalted butter for greasing
• 1/2 cup golden raisins soaked 2 hours in
• 1 cup vin santo and squeezed dry
• 2 tablespoons anise seeds
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 egg yolk beaten for wash

1. Two days before Easter: Dissolve the yeast along with 1/2 teaspoon sugar in the warm milk.
2. Heap 2 cups flour onto a flat work surface and make a well in the center. Pour the yeast-milk mixture into the center and, working with both hands, incorporate the flour a little at a time until a smooth elastic dough has formed. Knead for 5 minutes to activate the yeast and the gluten.
3. Oil a large bowl, place the dough in it, cover with a cloth and let sit for 12 hours in a warm place.
4. One day before Easter: Transfer the risen dough to a floured work surface, knead for 5 minutes, and set aside.
5. Heap the remaining 2 cups flour onto a flat work surface, make a well in the center and add the eggs, the remaining 1 cup sugar, rose water, and butter. Using a fork, blend all the ingredients incorporating a little of the flour wall at a time until a ball of dough has formed.
6. Top with the risen dough and knead the two into one smooth elastic ball. Place the dough in a large bowl, cover, and let sit until it has doubled its size, approximately 2 hours. Grease a 12- by 15-inch baking sheet.
7. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and add the raisins, anise seeds, and the grated lemon zest. Knead for 10 minutes, then form a ball and using the blade of a knife, draw a cross in the center.
8. Place the bread on the center of the greased baking sheet, brush with the egg wash, and let sit for 1 hour.
9. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
10. Bake until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean and dry, about 40 minutes. Let cool on a rack.
11. Cut the cooled bread into thick wedges and serve.

fresh yeast, sugar, sugar, milk, bread flour, vegetable oil, eggs, water, greasing, golden raisins, santo, anise seeds, lemon zest, egg yolk

Taken from www.yummly.com/recipe/Good-Friday-Sweet-Bread-1659571 (may not work)