Christmas Cardamom Bread

Ingredients:
1-1/2 teaspoons cardamom, ground
2 ounces yeast
1-1/2 cups bread flour
1-1/2 cups milk
1/3 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
4-1/2 cups bread flour

Directions:
Combine cardamon, yeast and 1-1/2 cups flour in large bowl.

Heat milk, butter and sugar until butter is melted. Cool to 115 degrees. Add 2 beaten eggs and salt. Beat into flour mixture, about 2 minutes with mixer. Add more flour to make a malleable dough, about 4 to 5 cups. Knead for 5 to 8 minutes. Cover and let rise for 90 minutes.

Divide into thirds, then thirds again, forming 9 balls. Let rise 10 minutes. Form into ropes and braid into three, 3-rope loaves. Place side-by-side on a greased cookie sheet. Let rise again 40-50 minutes. Brush tops with milk, and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar over each loaf. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Serving Size: 1 Slice (1/10 Loaf). Main Ingredient: Grains.