Babka

Description
This dessert, a cross between cake and sweet bread, is often baked for Easter.
 * Makes two (10 inch) cakes and about 1¼ cups icing.

Ingredients

 * 3 pk (¼ oz) active dry yeast (3 tbsp)
 * ¾ cup warm water (110°F)
 * 1 cup sugar
 * 7¾ cups all purpose flour
 * 1½ cups milk
 * 1¼ cups unsalted butter or margarine
 * 6 eggs
 * 2 egg yolks
 * 1½ tsp salt
 * 2 egg whites

Directions

 * 1) Grease side and bottom of 2 (10 inch) tube pans.
 * 2) In a shallow, medium bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
 * 3) Add 1 tbsp sugar and ½ cup flour; stir to combine.
 * 4) Cover; let stand in a warm place 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
 * 5) Heat milk and butter or margarine in a small saucepan until melted.
 * 6) Let stand until mixture cools to warm.
 * 7) In a large bowl, beat eggs, egg yolks and remaining 1 cup sugar until pale and frothy.
 * 8) Add cooled milk mixture, salt and yeast mixture.
 * 9) Beat until smooth.
 * 10) Gradually beat in 4½ cups flour.
 * 11) Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
 * 12) Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface.
 * 13) Knead dough into a soft, smooth dough.
 * 14) Divide dough in ½.
 * 15) Arrange 1 part dough in each greased pan.
 * 16) Cover with a damp cloth; let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours.
 * 17) Preheat oven to 350°F.
 * 18) Lightly beat 2 egg whites in a small bowl until foamy.
 * 19) Brush beaten egg whites on top of dough.
 * 20) Evenly sprinkle topping over dough.
 * 21) Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
 * 22) Cool cakes in pans 3 to 4 minutes on racks.
 * 23) Turn out of pans; cool completely on racks.
 * 24) Frost with powdered sugar icing if desired.

Toppings

 * 1) In a small bowl, combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
 * 2) Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter or margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
 * 3) powdered sugar icing: 2 egg whites 1½ cups sifted powdered sugar ½ tsp lemon juice.
 * 4) In a medium bowl, beat egg whites until frothy.
 * 5) Gradually add powdered sugar, beating constantly.
 * 6) Beat 10 minutes or until glossy.
 * 7) Add lemon juice; beat 2 minutes or until icing stands up in soft peaks.