St. Nicholas' Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 pkg. dry granular yeast
1/2 c. warm water
1 tsp. sugar
2 c. scalded milk
1 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten
9 c. sifted flour
powdered sugar icing
1/2 c. melted butter
1 c. chopped nuts
1 c. raisins
1 c. currants
1 c. cut dried apricots
1 c. cut dried mixed fruits
1 tsp. ground cardamon seed (optional)

Preparation

Soften yeast in warm water with 1 teaspoon sugar.
Let stand 10 minutes.
Combine scalded milk, sugar and salt.
Let cool to lukewarm.
Blend in yeast.
Add eggs and 3 cups flour.
Beat until bubbly.
Add melted butter that has been cooled.
Sprinkle 1 cup flour over prepared fruits and nuts.
Reserve 1/2 cup flour for kneading.
Add rest and cardamon seed to batter.
Mix well.
Stir in fruit mixture.
Turn dough out onto lightly floured board. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
Knead dough until smooth and elastic.
Place dough in greased bowl, greasing top of dough lightly.
Cover and let rise until doubled, about 2 hours.
Divide dough into 6 equal portions.
Shape into loaves.
Place in well-greased 1 pound coffee cans.
Brush with melted butter; cover and let rise until double.
Bake at 375\u00b0 for 60 minutes.
Cool in pans for 5 minutes, then remove from pans and cool on racks. Drizzle with icing and sprinkle with colored sugar.