hungarian braided white bread

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 3/4 cups warm milk (110 degrees f/45 degrees c)
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 egg, beaten

Recipe

Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ready Time: 2 hrs 30 mins


• in a small mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. let stand until creamy, about 15 minutes.
• mix the egg, egg yolks, sugar, and salt. in a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture with the egg, egg yolks, sugar, salt and 3 cups of the flour; stir until well combined. add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. when the dough has pulled together, turn it out a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes.
• turn out a floured bread board, and cut into 2 equal parts. form into cylindrical loaves; let rest for 20 minutes. divide each loaf in half and roll into a long rope for braiding. fasten the 4 ends together. braid. end by fastening the ends, and turning each end under the loaf. place on cookie sheet, and cover with a towel until doubled in size, about 40 minutes.
• brush risen loaf with a beaten egg and sprinkle with poppy seeds. bake at 400 degrees f (200 degrees c) for 15 minutes. reduce heat to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c) and bake for an additional 45 minutes, or until golden brown.