Easter Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. warm water
4 1/2 c. plus 1 Tbsp. sugar
4 pkg. yeast
5 lb. sifted all-purpose flour
1 doz. eggs, well beaten
1/2 lb. butter
1 c. shortening
1 1/2 Tbsp. salt
2 c. warm milk
2 lemon rind, grated
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation

Combine warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar and yeast; let stand for 15 minutes.
Combine remaining sugar and rest of ingredients in large mixing bowl.
Add yeast mixture.
Knead and turn dough until it becomes dry and springy when pushed down.
Fold dough over; sprinkle with a small amount of flour.
Cover; let rise in a warm place for 3 hours or until doubled in bulk.
Knead again; let rise for 1 hour.
Shape dough into 7 round loaves; cover.
Let rise for 2 hours.
Brush top of loaves with additional beaten egg. Bake at 350\u00b0 for 45 to 50 minutes.