Cardamom Bread

Ingredients:

• 8 Cups Flour
• 2 1/2 Cups Lukewarm Milk
• 2 pkg. Dry Yeast
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 Egg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 Cup melted (salted) butter
• 3 teaspoons ground cardamom
• Chopped almonds
• Egg White (for wash)

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in 1/2 Cup of milk
• Mix remaining milk, sugar, egg, salt, butter, cardamom and half the flour.
• Beat with whisk until smooth
• Add milk/yeast mixture and remaining flour.  Mix.
• Cover and let rise until doubled.
• Turn out onto lightly floured board, knead until smooth.
• Cut into thirds.  Cut each third into thirds and roll each into ropes.
• Place ropes onto lightly buttered cookie sheets and braid into loaf.
• Let rise until doubled.
• Brush each braid with slightly-beaten egg white wash.
• Sprinkle sugar (more creates a sweeter sugar crust), and chopped almonds.
• Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.  More is better but watch for burning.
• Remove, let cool, cut and enjoy with butter.
• Best the next morning toasted with butter…