BRAIDED EGG LOAF

Braided Egg Loaf image

Provided by Ranikabani

Time 2h30m

Yield 2 loaves

Number Of Ingredients 12

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1 (1/4 ounce) package yeast
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups hot water (over 120 F)
1/3 cup soft margarine
2 large eggs
3 -5 drops yellow food coloring
2 tablespoons margarine, melted
1 egg yolk, blended with
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame seeds or 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds

Steps:

In a big mixing bowl, combine the 1 1/2 cups flour, and salt.
Add yeast to hot water and sugar together and when the yeast dissolves add it to the flour mixture above.
Pour in the water and beat until it's smooth.
Fold in the soft margarine, eggs and food colouring.
Add remaining flour (a little at a time) to make a soft dough.
On a floured board, knead until it's smooth and elastic.
Grease a big bowl.
Brush top of dough with melted margarine.
In a warm spot, let it rise for about 1 1/2 hours.
Punch dough down and knead it again on the floured board.
Divide the dough into two equal balls.
Then divide each ball into 3 smaller pieces and roll each of these pieces into"ropes".
Braid the ropes to form 2 small loaves.
Cover and let loaves rise until double in size.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Brush the loaves with the egg yolk mixture and sprinkle with sesame seeds/poppy seeds.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the loaves sound hollow when thumped.