Things You'll Need:
- 4 cups tepid water
- 3 pkgs. dry yeast
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 eggs, slightly beaten
- 8 cups of flour
- ½ cups corn oil
- 1 ½ tbsp. Salt
- 5 cups reserve flour
- 1 1/3 cups sugar
- Sesame seeds
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Step 1
For the egg wash you will need
* 2 egg yolks
* 3 tbsp. Water
* 1 tsp. Sugar
Place all ingredients in a bowl and beat well. Set aside until the dough is ready to be
baked. -
Step 2
Place the cinnamon sticks and the water in a pot and bring to a boil. Remove from the flame and to cool until it is tepid (test on your wrist).
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Step 3
In a large mixing bowl combine the 8 cups of flour, salt, sugar and yeast. Mix thoroughly with your hands.
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Step 4
Remove the cinnamon sticks from the water and add the water to the mixing bowl and mix again.
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Step 5
Cover the dough and set aside in a draft-free area for a half an hour, letting the yeast activate.
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Step 6
Add the eggs to the dough and mix thoroughly. Then add the oil and again mix thoroughly. Begin kneading the dough, adding flour from your reserves as needed. Depending on where you live and the humidity you may need some or all. You need not knead excessively, only about 15 minutes. Grease the dough with oil and cover to let rise for about 2 hours or until it doubles in size.
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Step 7
At this point you may shape the dough as you please, most commonly it is cut in two and braided. Place the shaped dough in well greased and floured pans and let rise once more for about 40 minutes. Brush the bread with an egg wash and top with sesame seeds.
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Step 8
Place in a preheated 375 degree F oven on the bottom rack for 25 minutes, then move to the middle rack and bake for another 40 minutes.
