Paasiaisleipa ( Finnish Easter Bread) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

6 - 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 packages active dry yeast or 2 packages fast rising yeast
2 tablespoons orange rind
2 teaspoons lemons, rind of
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 cup chopped dates or 1 cup pitted dates, snipped
1/2 cup chopped slivered almonds, toasted
confectioners' sugar frosting, optional

Preparation

In large bowl combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, orange peel, lemon peel, cardamom and salt.
Heat milk, water, and butter until very warm (120\u00b0 to 130\u00b0F).
Gradually add to dry ingredients and beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally.
Add eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat at high speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
Stir in enough additional flour to make soft dough.
Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top.
Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
(For Rapid Rise Yeast, cover kneaded dough; let rest on floured surface 10 minutes. Proceed with recipe).
Punch dough down; turn out onto lightly floured surface.
Knead in dates and almonds.
Divide dough in half; shape into 2 balls.
Place in 2 greased 8-inch round cake pans.
Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Bake at 350\u00b0F for 35 to 40 minutes, or until done.
Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.
Top with confectioners' sugar frosting, if desired.