ITALIAN PANETTONE( CHRISTMAS BREAD

ITALIAN PANETTONE( CHRISTMAS BREAD image

Yield 2 loaves

Number Of Ingredients 13

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1 cup warm water (105 to 115F)
2 pkgs active dry yeast
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup soft butter or margarine
3 eggs
1 egg separated
51/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
11/2 cups seedless raisins
1 cup chopped diced citron
1/2 cup sliced candied cherries
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 tablespoons sugar

Steps:

1. Sprinkle yeast over warm water in large bowl, stirring until dissolved. 2. Add 1/2 cup sugar,salt, 3eggs, egg yolk and 3 cups flour; beat with wooden spoon until smooth--about 2 minutes 3. Stir in fruit. Graduallyadd remaining flour; mix last of it by hand until dough leaves side of bowl 4. Turn out onto lightly floured board; roll to coat with flour. Knead until smooth --5 minutes 5. Place in lightly greased large bowl; turn tobring up greased side. Cover with a towel; let rise in warm place (85F), free from drafts, until double in bulk--11/2 to 2 hours. (fruited dough requires longer rising time). 6.Meanwhile grease two 8- or 9 inch layer cake pans or 2 large cookie sheets. 7. Punch down dough; turn out onto lightly floured pastry cloth. Divide in half; shape each into a round loaf. 8. Place in prepared pans. Brush topa with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Cover with towel; let rise in warm place (85F), free from drafts, until double in bulk 11/2 to 2 hours 9 Meanwhile preheat oven to 350F 10. With sharpe knife, cut a deep cross in top of each loaf. Combine egg white with 2 tablespoons water; brush over loaves. Sprinkle each wit 1 tablespoon sugar. Bake 40 to 50 minutes, or until golden. Remove from pans immediately, cool well on wire rack, away from drafts