Things You'll Need:
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2/3 cup warm milk
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp cinammon
- 3/4 tsp vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 5 HARD BOILED dyed eggs, red looks wonderful
- 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tbs water
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Step 1
Sprinkle yeast over warm water in large bowl and let sit for five minutes.
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Step 2
Add milk, butter, sugar, and salt. Stir until butter melts.
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Step 3
Stir in 2 cups of the flour. Blend. Use a wooden spoon or mixer (heavy duty) to beat until dough becomes elastic, about five minutes.
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Step 4
Mix in cinammon, vanilla, and eggs. Add more of the remaining flour until a soft dough forms.
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Step 5
Turn out dough onto cutting board covered with remaining flour. Knead until smooth and springy. Small bubbles should form under the surface. This will take about 15 to 20 minutes.
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Step 6
Place prepared dough in a greased bowl. Turn dough to grease. Cover bowl and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled. This will take about an hour and a half.
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Step 7
Punch down the dough. Then, turn onto floured surface. Knead lightly, just to release the air.
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Step 8
Divide the dough into three equal parts. Roll each portion to form strips about 24 inches long (2 feet). Place strips side by side on greased baking sheet. Loosely braid the the strips together.
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Step 9
Curve the braided dought to make a circle. Pinch the ends to seal the braid together.
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Step 10
Evenly throughout the braided ring, separate the braid strands and press in the hard-boiled dyed eggs. Put the pointed ends of the eggs face down in the braided dough.
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Step 11
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Step 12
Lightly cover and let rise for 45 minutes. Dough will be puffy.
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Step 13
Brush the bread with the egg yolk mixture (yolk and water). Bake at 350 degrees about 30 minutes. Bread should be richly browned and sound hollow. Let cool for at least twenty minutes before serving.
