Austrian Vanocka

Description
A Czech christmas bread baked in northern Austria. Makes one very large loaf or three smaller ones



Ingredients

 * 2 pkgs Dry Yeast
 * 1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees)
 * 3/4 cup warm milk
 * 1/2 cup Sugar
 * 6 to 7 cups flour
 * 1 stick Butter, melted
 * 3 beaten eggs
 * 3 tbsp grated Orange Rind (I use just the orange part, rubbed off on a grater, so it takes two medium oranges to give me enough)
 * 2 tsp Almond Extract
 * 1 tsp Nutmeg
 * 1 tsp salt
 * 1 cup each, golden and dark Raisins
 * 1 cup slivered Almonds

Directions

 * In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water.
 * Add the milk and Sugar and let stand until the surface becomes foamy in about 5 minutes.
 * Stir in three cups of the flour, butter, eggs, orange peel, almond extract, nutmeg, and the salt.
 * Beat until very smooth.
 * Add enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough.
 * Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and knead for 5 to 8 minutes while adding the raisins and almonds a little at a time.
 * Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and turn it over once or twice to coat it with grease.
 * Cover the bowl with a towel or wax paper and set it in a warm, quiet place until it has risen to double its size (about 1 hour).
 * Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured board and divide it into threes
 * Divide each piece into thirds and, with your hands, roll each into a rope about twenty inches long.
 * Braid the threes.
 * For one loaf, put the biggest braid onto a lightly-greased baking sheet, the bigger braid on top, and the big braid on top of that.
 * For three loaves, arrange the three (equal) braids separately on the lightly greased baking sheet.
 * Let rise again for about an hour.
 * Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 45 yo 60 minutes.
 * Check at 45 minutes by tapping on the loaf.
 * If it is done, it will sound hollow.