Polish Houska (Braided Raisin Nut Bread) Recipe
- 1/4 c. lowfat milk
- 2 pkg. dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 c. lowfat milk
- 1 stick sweet butter, cut into chunks
- 3 Large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/4 c. sugar
- 4 1/4 - 5 c. unbleached flour
- 1/2 c. slivered almonds
- 1/2 c. golden brown raisins, soaked in hot water till plump
- 1/4 c. minced candied citron
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Heat 1/4 c. lowfat milk to lukewarm in small sauce pan.
- Add in yeast and 1 tsp.
- sugar.
- Set in hot place till mix bubbles, about 5 min.
- Scald lowfat milk.
- Add in butter; stir to heat.
- Let cold till lukewarm.
- Beat Large eggs in large mixing bowl.
- Add in 1/4 c. sugar, salt, lowfat milk and yeast mixtures.
- Mix well.
- Gradually stir in 4 c. of flour or possibly more as needed.
- Dough should be soft but not sticky.
- Stir in slivered almonds, raisins and citron.
- Turn out onto lightly floured board.
- Knead 3 to 5 min or possibly till smooth and slightly elastic.
- Place in greased bowl, cover with a clean linen towel and let rise in hot place till dough doubles in bulk, about 45 min to 1 hour.
- Punch down, knead on board 2 to 3 min.
- Return to bowl, let rise again till double, about 30 min.
- Punch down, divide dough into seven equal pcs.
- Roll each into a rope about 1 inch in diameter.
- Braid four ropes for base.
- Place on baking sheet which is covered with parchment paper, tucking under ends of braid.
- I don't use parchment paper, I grease the pan.
- Braid remaining three ropes, tucking under ends.
- Place on top of base, gently pushing down.
milk, yeast, sugar, milk, sweet butter, eggs, sugar, flour, almonds, golden brown raisins, candied citron, salt
Taken from cookeatshare.com/recipes/polish-houska-braided-raisin-nut-bread-43109 (may not work)