Grandma'S Christmas Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

5 - 6 c. all purpose flour
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. ground cardamom
1 tsp. salt
2 pkg. active dry yeast
1 c. milk
2/3 c. butter or margarine
2 eggs
1- 15 oz. pkg. light seedless raisins
1- 6 oz. candied fruit
1 egg white, slightly beaten

Preparation

In large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, cardamom, salt and yeast.
In medium saucepan over low heat, heat milk, butter/margarine, and 1/2 cup water until very warm (120 - 130 degrees), butter/margarine does not need to totally melt.
With mixer at low speed, gradually pour liquid into dry ingredients. Increase speed to medium; beat two minutes, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula.
Beat in eggs and 3/4 c. flour or enough to make a thick batter.
Continue beating 2 minutes, occasionally scraping bowl.
With spoon, stir in enough additional flour, about 1 1/2 - 2 cups, to make a soft dough.