Polish Egg-Twist Bread (Chalka

• Vegetarian

• Produce

  • 1 cup Golden raisins

• Refrigerated

  • 2 Eggs + 1 egg, large

• Condiments

  • 8 oz Butter or margarine

• Baking & Spices

  • 2 packages Active dry yeast
  • 5 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 2 cup Sugar

• Dairy

  • 1 cup Milk

• Liquids

  • 1/4 cup Water

Found on easteuropeanfood.about.com

Description

Ingredients

• 4 ounces (1 stick) butter or margarine
• 1 cup sugar (or less, to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk, scalded
• 4 ounces (1 stick) butter or margarine
• 1 cup sugar (or less, to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 2 large eggs + 1 egg for glazing, at room temperature, beaten
• 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup golden raisins

Directions

• Preparation In a small heatproof bowl or saucepan, add 4 ounces butter, 1 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt to 1 cup scalded milk. Stir to combine and let cool to lukewarm. Place 2 (1/4-ounce) packages active dry yeast and 1/4 cup lukewarm water in the bowl of a stand mixer and, with the paddle attachment, stir until dissolved. Add lukewarm milk mixture from step 1, above, and 2 large room-temperature beaten eggs, and combine.  Add 3 cups flour and beat until smooth. Add 1 cup raisins and remaining 2 1/2 cups flour and mix, about 3 to 5 minutes, until smooth. The dough will be sticky. Place dough in greased bowl. Turn over and cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double, about 1 hour. See this quick tip for faster rising. Punch down dough and turn out onto a lightly floured board. If making 1 large loaf, divide dough into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a strip about 14 inches long, and braid together the 3 strips on a parchment-lined baking pan. Note: If making 2 loaves, divide dough into 2 equal pieces and then divide each half into 3 equal pieces, for a total of 6 pieces. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Loosely cover the bread with greased plastic wrap and let rise until double, about 30 minutes.  Brush remaining beaten egg lightly on bread. Bake 30 minutes. Let cool completely before serving. Store, covered, at room temperature or slice and freeze or freeze whole if you have room in your freezer.