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

1. Heat 1/4 c. lowfat milk to lukewarm in small sauce pan.
2. Add in yeast and 1 tsp.
3. sugar.
4. Set in hot place till mix bubbles, about 5 min.
5. Scald lowfat milk.
6. Add in butter; stir to heat.
7. Let cold till lukewarm.
8. Beat Large eggs in large mixing bowl.
9. Add in 1/4 c. sugar, salt, lowfat milk and yeast mixtures.
10. Mix well.
11. Gradually stir in 4 c. of flour or possibly more as needed.
12. Dough should be soft but not sticky.
13. Stir in slivered almonds, raisins and citron.
14. Turn out onto lightly floured board.
15. Knead 3 to 5 min or possibly till smooth and slightly elastic.
16. 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.
17. Punch down, knead on board 2 to 3 min.
18. Return to bowl, let rise again till double, about 30 min.
19. Punch down, divide dough into seven equal pcs.
20. Roll each into a rope about 1 inch in diameter.
21. Braid four ropes for base.
22. Place on baking sheet which is covered with parchment paper, tucking under ends of braid.
23. I don't use parchment paper, I grease the pan.
24. Braid remaining three ropes, tucking under ends.
25. 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)