Holiday Sweet Bread Recipe

Holiday Sweet Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

4 & 1/2 tsps of active dried yeast
1 tsp of salt
2 tsps of vanilla extract
1/2 c of sugar (granulated) plus 1 tsp
1 c of scalded milk
4 & 1/2- 5 & 1/2 c of unbleached all purpose flour (King Arthur) plus 1/2 more cup
Icing sugar
1/4 c of butter
1/2 c of warmed water
2 slightly beaten eggs
Eggyolk w/ 1 Tbsp of water

Instructions:

In mixing bowl, combine warmed water, yeast, 1/2 c flour and 1 tsp sugar. Cover w/ plastic cling wrap & w/ clean cloth. Set it aside ’til bubbly & yeast is active (10-15 mins).

Scald milk then pour into mixing bowl. Add in butter, sugar, eggs, salt and vanilla. Stir well to have butter melted. When your mixture turns lukewarm, combine yeast mix and blend well.

Add in flour gradually ’til dough does not stick to the bowl’s sides. Transfer dough to floured working surface. Grease bowl, then set it aside.

Knead dough, add in flour as necessary to minimize sticking of dough to board and hands. Place in greased bowl then turn evenly to coat surface. Cover w/ plastic cling wrap and clean cloth. Leave in warm, draft-free place ’til doubled (approx 45 mins).

Prepare oven. Heat it to three hundred seventy five degrees Fahrenheit. Punch dough down then roll, forming a doughb ball. Have it divided into two equal parts, cover w/ plastic cling wrap. Allow to rest for 10-15 mins.

Shape and form desired figures. Brush w/ eggwhites mixed w/ teaspooon water. Bake for 25-30 mins, ’til golden browned. Remove and cool bread on racks. Drizzle w/ Confectioner’s sugar glaze and spread almonds over top.

For the Glaze: Combine a cup of icing sugar w/ 2 Tbsps of any liquid. Mix well ’til sugar dissolves completely.

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