Houska Christmas Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

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

Preparation

Dissolve
yeast
in lukewarm water.
Scald milk and add butter,
sugar
and
salt.
Cool
to
lukewarm.
Add
to yeast mixture and well beaten eggs, 3 cups flour, raisins, cherries, almonds
and
pecans.
Mix
well.
Add about 2 1/2 cups flour. Place
on
lightly
floured
surface
and knead until dough is smooth.
Place
in a warm bowl.
Cover with towel and let rise for about
1
1/2
hours.
Punch
down
dough and turn out on floured surface.
Divide dough in half.
Divide one half into 3
equal parts.
Roll each piece into a strip about 15 inches long.
Braid and
place on a baking sheet.
Divide 2/3 of the remaining
dough into 3 equal parts and prepare braid like the first.
Place
on top of first braid.
Make a third braid from remaining
dough
and place
on top of second (center) braid. Brush with butter.
Let rise until double in bulk.
Beat 1 egg white
and
1
tablespoon water; brush loaf.
Bake at 350\u00b0 for about 35 to 45 minutes, or until done.