Cardamom Coffee Cakes

Yield: 2 coffee cakes

Ingredients

 * 1 1/2 	cup  	milk
 * 3/4 	cup 	Sugar
 * 1/2 	cup 	butter
 * 3 	each 	egg yolks
 * 1 	x 	TOPPING
 * 6 	tbsp 	Sugar
 * 1 	pack 	cake yeast
 * 6 1/4 	cup 	Sifted all-purpose flour
 * 1/4 	tbsp 	salt
 * 1 	tbsp 	cardamom
 * 2 	tbsp 	milk

Directions

 * 1) Scald milk and cool to lukewarm.
 * 2) Crumble yeast into bowl, add 1 tsp Sugar and lukewarm milk.
 * 3) Beat in 3 cups flour; beat until smooth.
 * 4) Cover well and let rise until light and double in bulk, 1 - 1-½ hours.
 * 5) Add soft butter, remaining Sugar, salt, egg yolks, cardamom and 3 cups flour.
 * 6) Mix thoroughly.
 * 7) Place remaining ¼ cup flour on board or pastry cloth for kneading.
 * 8) Turn out dough and knead until smooth and elastic.
 * 9) Place in greased bowl.
 * 10) Cover well.
 * 11) Set aside to rise until double in bulk, 1 to 1-½ hours.
 * 12) Cut risen dough in half for two cofee cakes (braids).
 * 13) Cut each half into 3 pieces.
 * 14) Roll each piece into a roll 16 inches long.
 * 15) Pinch 3 rolls together at one end, braid and pinch other ends together.
 * 16) Place braid on cookie sheet.
 * 17) Make second braid and place on cookie sheet.
 * 18) Let braids rise until double in bulk, about 45 minutes.
 * 19) For topping brush each braid with 1 tbsp milk and sprinkle with 3 tbsp Sugar.
 * 20) Bake in moderate oven (375) 25 to 30 minutes.