Italian Christmas Bread
Source of Recipe
Internet
List of Ingredients
1 c Warm water (105 to 115-degrees)
2 pk Active dry yeast
1/2 c Sugar
2 ts Salt
1/2 c (1 stick) butter or-margarine, softened
3 Eggs, beaten
1 Egg, separated
5 1/2 To 6 - cups sifted-all-purpose flour
1 c Raisins
1 c (8 oz) mixed candied peel
1/2 c (4 oz) red candied cherries,-halved
1 tb Butter or margarine, melted
2 tb Water
2 tb Sugar
Recipe
If possible, check temperature of warm water with a thermometer. Sprinkle
yeast over water in a large bowl, stirring until dissolved. Add 1/2 cup
sugar, salt, 1/2 cup butter, 3 eggs, the egg yolk and 3 cups flour; beat
with wooden spoon or electric mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes.
Gradually, add remaining flour; mix in last part with hand until dough
leaves side of bowl.
Turn dough onto lightly floured board. Knead until smooth, 5 minutes.
(Dough is soft. )Place in lightly greased large bowl; turn to bring greased
side up. Cover with towel; let rise in a warm place, free from drafts,
until double in bulk, about 1 hour.
Grease well and line inside of 8" springform pan with 4" strip of buttered
brown paper. Punch down dough; turn out onto lightly floured pastry cloth
or board. Knead in raisins and candied fruits until well distributed, about
5 minutes. Place dough in prepared pan. Brush top with 1 Tbsp melted
butter. Cover with towel; let rise in warm place, free from drafts, until
more than double in bulk, about 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a sharp knife, cut deep cross on top of
bread. Brush with egg white combined with 2 Tbsp water. Bake 30 minutes.
Remove bread form oven. Brush again with egg white mixture and sprinkle
with sugar. Continue baking 30 minutes longer or until golden brown. Remove
from pan; cool on rack. Makes 1 loaf.
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