Bohemian Christmas Braid - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 pkg. yeast
1/4 c. lukewarm water
1 c. milk, scalded
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. shortening
2 eggs
4 1/2 c. flour
grated rind of 1 lemon
1/4 tsp. mace
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. raisins
1/2 c. walnuts, chopped

Preparation

Dissolve yeast in water.
Combine milk, sugar and shortening. Cool to lukewarm, add to yeast.
Beat in eggs and half the flour. Add lemon rind, mace, salt, raisins and nuts.
Stir in remaining flour.
Knead dough until smooth.
Place in greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).
Divide dough equally in half and each half into thirds.
Roll out into long roll and make braid.
Shape into circle, pinching ends together.
Let rise until light.
Brush with mixture of 1 beaten egg yolk and 2 tablespoons milk before placing in oven.
Bake at 350\u00b0 for 25 to 30 minutes.
Ice and decorate with maraschino cherries when cool. Makes 2 braids.