Cardamom Coffee Cakes

Description
Yield: 2 coffee cakes

Ingredients

 * 1½ cup milk
 * ¾ cup sugar
 * ½ cup butter
 * 3 each egg yolks
 * 6 tbsp sugar
 * 1 pack cake yeast
 * 6¼ cups sifted all-purpose flour
 * ¼ tbsp salt
 * 1 tbsp cardamom
 * 2 tbsp milk

Topping

 * milk
 * 6 tbsp sugar.

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 - 1½ 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. Cover well.
 * 10) Set aside to rise until double in bulk, 1 to 1½ hours.
 * 11) Cut risen dough in half for two coffee cakes (braids).
 * 12) Cut each half into 3 pieces.
 * 13) Roll each piece into a roll 16 inches long.
 * 14) Pinch 3 rolls together at one end, braid and pinch other ends together.
 * 15) Place braid on cookie sheet.
 * 16) Make second braid and place on cookie sheet.
 * 17) Let braids rise until double in bulk, about 45 minutes.
 * 18) For topping brush each braid with 1 tbsp milk and sprinkle with 3 tbsp sugar.
 * 19) Bake in moderate oven (375°F) 25 to 30 minutes.