Braided Bread

Mom always made this as gifts for neighbors and friends around the holidays. Delicious!!!

1/2 c warm water
1 TBSP sugar
1 pkg yeast
1 1/2 c scalded milk
1/2 c butter or margarine
1 TBSP (Heaping) shortening
1/2 c sugar
2 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c water
3 eggs
9 cups flour

Mix water, sugar and yeast - let rise.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, put *scalded milk. Add butter, shortening, sugar & salt (butter & shortening will melt).
Add 1/2 c water. Add eggs & 1 cup flour. Let mixer mix.
Add yeast & the rest of the flour (8 cups more).

Knead or mix with Kitchen Aid mixer 5 minutes.
Butter bowl and place dough in bowl, turning once to coat surface of dough. Cover w/ clean towel and allow to rise double 2 times (~1 1/2 hours each time - punching down after each raise).

Making braids: Separate dough into number of loaves (between 3-5: 3 big or 5 smaller loaves). Divide dough into 3 strips and roll into logs. Lightly butter a cookie sheet and place the pieces on the sheet. Pinch three of the ends tightly together and braid the strips loosely, pinching the opposite ends together when done (tuck the pinched ends under for neatness).
Cover braids with a clean damp towel and raise double (~45 minutes).

Bake 10 min @ 400 degrees...
Then LOWER temp to 350 degrees and bake for 20 minutes longer or until golden brown. (watch bread - if making smaller loaves, requires less cooking time.)
When done, transfer to wire rack to cool. Brush top with melted butter to soften crust.

Enjoy!!! or Share!!! :)

*Scald the Milk: In a saucepan, heat the milk until tiny bubbles form around the edges of the pan. It is best to use a heavy saucepan to avoid scorching the milk on the bottom of the pan (which will impart to the milk a bitter, burnt taste). Remove the saucepan from the heat as soon as the tiny bubbles form (do not allow to boil).

For some pictures and a similar recipe's tutorial - visit http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/recipe-braided-bread.html.