Kulich - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. milk, scalded
2 pkg. dry yeast
1/4 c. lukewarm water
4 c. flour
4 egg yolks
2/3 c. sugar
1 c. melted butter, cooled
2/3 c. diced almonds
2 lemons, grated peel
1/4 tsp. salt
pinch of saffron
1 3/4 c. flour
1/3 c. golden raisins
pinch of cardamon

Preparation

Scald milk; remove scum.
Pour into large mixing bowl; cool to lukewarm.
Dissolve yeast in water and let stand 5 minutes.
Add to milk.
Add 4 cups flour, 1 at a time.
Mix thoroughly.
Cover and let rise until double in size (about 1 1/2 hours).
Beat yolks with sugar, until light and thick.
Stir into dough.
Add butter, saffron, cardamon (optional), peel and salt; mix well.
Gradually stir in flour (1 3/4 cups) to make the dough just firm enough to handle.