Italian Almond Bread

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 5 1/2 cups unbleached flour
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages dry yeast
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon anise seed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup almonds (ground)

Recipe

• 1 using 2 cups warm water dissolve yeast in a large mixing bowl.
• 2 add all ingredients, except flour and almonds. mix well.
• 3 add 3 cups flour and beat till smooth.
• 4 add almonds and enough additional flour till dough is easy to handle.
• 5 on a lightly floured board, knead bread till smooth.
• 6 place in a greased bowl then turn 180 degrees to where the greased side is up, cover and let stand in a warm place.
• 7 when bread dough has risen and doubled in size (50-60 minutes), punch down and divide in half.
• 8 form each half into a loaf and place each into greased bread pans. let dough rise till doubled in size.
• 9 bake at 350 degrees in a pre-heated oven for 40-45 minutes. baking times may vary. to test, tap top of bread with finger. it should make a hollow sound. the loaves should look shiny and golden brown.
• 10 remove from pans and brush with warm butter.