Houska Christmas Bread

• 2 pkg. dry yeast
• 1 c. milk
• 1/4 c. seedless white raisins
• 1 c. quartered candied cherries
• 1/2 c. chopped almonds
• 1/2 c. chopped pecans
• 1/2 c. lukewarm water
• 1/2 c. butter
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp. salt
• 5 1/2 c. flour

1. Dissolve
2. yeast
3. in lukewarm water.
4. Scald milk and add butter,
5. sugar
6. and
7. salt.
8. Cool
9. to
10. lukewarm.
11. Add
12. to yeast mixture and well beaten eggs, 3 cups flour, raisins, cherries, almonds
13. and
14. pecans.
15. Mix
16. well.
17. Add about 2 1/2 cups flour. Place
18. on
19. lightly
20. floured
21. surface
22. and knead until dough is smooth.
23. Place
24. in a warm bowl.
25. Cover with towel and let rise for about
26. 1
27. 1/2
28. hours.
29. Punch
30. down
31. dough and turn out on floured surface.
32. Divide dough in half.
33. Divide one half into 3
34. equal parts.
35. Roll each piece into a strip about 15 inches long.
36. Braid and
37. place on a baking sheet.
38. Divide 2/3 of the remaining
39. dough into 3 equal parts and prepare braid like the first.
40. Place
41. on top of first braid.
42. Make a third braid from remaining
43. dough
44. and place
45. on top of second (center) braid. Brush with butter.
46. Let rise until double in bulk.
47. Beat 1 egg white
48. and
49. 1
50. tablespoon water; brush loaf.
51. Bake at 350u0b0 for about 35 to 45 minutes, or until done.

yeast, milk, white raisins, candied cherries, almonds, pecans, water, butter, sugar, eggs, salt, flour

Taken from www.cookbooks.com/Recipe-Details.aspx?id=1042827 (may not work)