Chalka -- Polish Egg Bread

Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, melted
• 1 cup sugar (or less, to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 2 eggs, plus
• 1 egg, beaten for glazing (room temperature works best)
• 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup golden raisin (optional)

Recipe

• 1 heat the milk to lukewarm; add melted butter, sugar and salt.
• 2 stir to combine and let cool to about 110°f
• 3 add yeast and warm water in mixing bowl and stir until dissolved.
• 4 add lukewarm milk mixture and 2 eggs and stir to combine.
• 5 add 3 cups flour and beat until smooth.
• 6 add the raisins and remaining flour and mix, 3 to 5 minutes until smooth. (dough will be sticky)
• 7 place dough in greased bowl.
• 8 turn over and cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double, about 1 hour.
• 9 punch down dough and turn out onto lightly floured board.
• 10 if making 1 large loaf, divide dough into 3 equal pieces.
• 11 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.)
• 12 loosely cover bread and let rise again until double, about 30 minutes.
• 13 while bread is rising, preheat oven to 350°f.
• 14 brush remaining beaten egg lightly on bread.
• 15 bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.
• 16 let cool completely before serving.
• 17 store, covered, at room temperature or slice and freeze.