Polish Braided Easter Egg Bread

Total Time: 3 hrs 45 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 eggs
• 5 whole eggs, dyed if desired
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Recipe

• 1 in a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and yeast; stir well. combine milk and butter in a small saucepan; heat until milk is warm and butter is softened but not melted.
• 2 gradually add the milk and butter to the flour mixture; stirring constantly. add two eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat well. add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. when the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
• 3 lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• 4 deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. divide the dough into two equal size rounds; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. roll each round into a long roll about 36 inches long and 1 1/2 inches thick. using the two long pieces of dough, form a loosely braided ring, leaving spaces for the five colored eggs. seal the ends of the ring together and use your fingers to slide the eggs between the braids of dough.
• 5 preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). place loaf on a buttered baking sheet and cover loosely with a damp towel. place loaf in a warm place and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes. brush risen loaf with melted butter.
• 6 bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until golden.