Recipe: Cardamom Bread (yeast bread, makes 2 braided loaves)

CARDAMOM BREAD

2 cups milk
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided use
1 tablespoon cardamom
2 packages dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
4 eggs, beaten
7 to 8 cups all-purpose flour

Scald milk; add margarine, salt, and 3/4 cup sugar. Stir until margarine is melted and sugar is dissolved. Cool slightly until warm. Add cardamom.

Dissolve yeast in warm water with remaining 1 teaspoon sugar.

Add eggs to cooled milk mixture. Add dissolved yeast. Add 2 cups flour and beat until smooth. Add remaining flour gradually until soft dough is formed.

Knead lightly for 10 minutes. Put dough in greased bowl to rise until doubled.

Punch down and braid into 2 loaves. Let rise again.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown.

To serve, spread bread slices with melted butter or margarine. Sprinkle with sugar.

Mrs. Gail Teigeler - Riverside, California
Wife of Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Tom Teigeler

Makes 2 loaves
Source: Best of the Best Air Force Cookbook Compiled by Karen Tosten