Polish Babka - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb. flour
3 1/2 oz. butter
4 1/2 oz. sugar
3 eggs
1 oz. yeast
1 to 1 1/2 c. milk
dash of salt
grated rind of 1 lemon (optional)
raisins (optional)

Preparation

Mix yeast with 1/2 cup warm milk, 1 ounce of sugar and a little flour; set in warm place until it rises to top of cup.
Sift flour in large mixing bowl and make a well in middle.
Put yeast mixture into this well together with remaining 3 1/2 ounces of sugar, dash of salt and 2 eggs.
Knead dough well, adding as much of remaining warm milk as flour will absorb.
Add 3 1/2 ounces melted butter, lemon rind and raisins and knead a little more, then place dough in floured bowl.
Cover with thin cloth and allow to rise in warm place until double in bulk.