- 1
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 1/2 cups and 2 tsp sugar
- 1 pkg rapid rise yeast
- 1 cup and 2 tbsp milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp oil
- 4 cups flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cardamom
Preparation
Step 1
In a small measuring cup put 1/4 cup hot water (not boiling), 2 tsp sugar, plus 1 pkg rapid rise yeast. Set aside.
Next, in a microwave cup, measure 1 cup milk, 1 egg, and 2 tbsp oil. Mix until well blended, nuke for 60 seconds to warm it up.
In a large mixing bowl, put 4 cups of flour, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 tsp cardamom. Mix well. Then add yeast mixture and the "proofed" yeast mixture.
Knead well, adding flour as needed to prevent sticking. Cover and let rise in a warm place 40 min. Then "punch down." Divide into 3 parts. Make 3 "ropes" and braid them together. Let rise 30-40 minutes. Then bush with mixture of 1 egg beaten with 2 tbsp of milk. Top with granulated sugar. Bake in 350 oven for 40 min. +/- or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped or thumped. Cool slightly before slicing.
Bread Machines:
Put milk mixture on the bottom. Then pour in flour and dry ingredients. Top with the yeast mixture (make a little well for it in the flour). Add 1/4 cup-1/2 cup more flour. The machine does all the kneading and rising, etc. But only put it on the dough cycle. Don't let it bake it for you or you won't get the braided effect or the glaze or the sugar.