Larry'S Christmas Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 pkg. dry yeast
1/4 c. warm water
3/4 c. warm milk
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. lemon rind
1/2 c. butter or margarine
4 c. flour
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c. raisins
1/2 c. chopped almonds
1/2 c. chopped red and green candied cherries

Preparation

Dissolve yeast in warm water; let stand 5 minutes.
Combine warm milk, sugar, salt and lemon rind in a bowl; mix well.
Cut butter into flour with a pastry blender in a large bowl until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Add yeast mixture and egg to milk mixture; mix well.
Cover and let rise in a warm place 1 hour and 15 minutes or until doubled.
Punch down.
Add raisins, cherries and almonds.
Knead dough until smooth and elastic.
Divide dough into 3 portions.
Roll each into 20-inch ropes.
Place side by side on greased baking sheet; braid.
Tuck ends under to seal. Cover, let rise 30 minutes or until doubled.
Brush top with 1 egg yolk and 1 tablespoon water.
Bake at 350\u00b0 for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool and drizzle with glaze.