Christmas Cardamom Bread

OH MY GOODNESS!  I can't believe it has been a month since I last blogged.  But, I really have been staying busy and not just being lazy.  I promise!  Hopefully I can write lots of posts to show you what I've been up to....  :)

Anyways, I wanted to get back into things and share with you this delicious recipe I got from a friend a few years back.  It's now become a tradition for us to make it every Christmas.  We usually give some to friends/neighbors, but I definitely make sure I make a couple of extra loafs for our family to enjoy.  It is wonderful on it's own, but I especially like it to dip in a cup of yummy warm hot cocoa on a cold night.

 

Christmas Cardamom Bread

1 ½ cup milk (scalded and cooled)

2 eggs (beaten)

½ cup butter 

1 cup sugar

1 pkg yeast (1tbsp.) 

½ tsp. salt

3 tbsp warm water 

½ tsp ground cardamom

5 cups flour

Melt butter and set aside to cool. Dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, salt , cardamom, yeast mixture and butter. Stir in enough flour to make a fairly stiff dough. 

 Turn onto a floured board and knead until dough is smooth. Shape into a ball and place in a large greased bowl. Cover. Put in warm place and let rise until nearly doubled in bulk. (about 2 hours). 

 Punch down and divide into two equal parts. Divide each part into thirds. Roll each third between hands to form strands (18-24 inches long). Braid three strands. 

You can then form the braid into a ring, if desired, or leave long, pinching ends together. Place on greased baking sheet. Repeat with second braid. let rise until doubled. Paint each brad with egg yolk beaten with 1 tbsp. milk. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until medium brown.