Christmas Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. milk
1 yeast cake
1/4 c. lukewarm water
1 Tbsp. sugar
6 c. flour
1/2 c. shortening
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 c. candied fruit
2 c. raisins
3/4 c. nuts
1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind

Preparation

Scald milk, then cool.
Dissolve yeast cake in water and add to cooled milk.
Add sugar and 3 cups of the flour.
Beat well and let rise in warm place until double in bulk and light and bubbly (about 1 hour).
Cream together shortening, sugar, salt and eggs and beat well.
Put two mixtures together and mix well.
Add remaining flour, chopped nuts and finely cut fruits mixed together.
Mix well and brush with melted shortening.
Let rise in warm place until double in bulk (about 2 hours).
Shape into buns, rings or loaves and place in greased pans.
Let rise until double in size (about 1 hour).
Bake 1 hour at 350\u00b0.
Frost with thin powdered sugar frosting while still warm.
Makes about 3 loaves.