Babka (Polish) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 c. scalded milk
1/4 pkg. dry yeast
1/4 c. warm water
1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
4 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. orange rind
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. raisins
1/4 c. maraschino cherries
1/4 c. walnut meats

Preparation

Dissolve yeast in warm water.
Let it foam for about 5 minutes. Beat eggs and sugar together.
Add salt, grated orange rind and vanilla.
Add 1/2 of the flour and yeast mixture; beat well.
Add butter to the hot milk and when melted, add this mixture to the other part of dough and mix in the balance of the flour with a wooden spoon; beat for about 5 minutes, then add the fruit and nuts carefully.
Let rise until double in size; punch down; let rise again, then put into baking pan the size of an angel food pan and let rise until doubled.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes at 350`\u00b0.