DOUGH:
1 cup warm water
1 tsp. sugar
1 tbsp. yeast
1/2 cup milk, scalded
2 eggs
¼ cup sugar
¼ tsp. salt
¼ cup melted margarine
5 cups flour
FILLING:
¼ cup melted butter
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
¼ cup currants
¼ cup lemon peel
¼ cup candied cherries, chopped
PROOF
In a 2 cup measure, pour 1 cup warm water. Add 1 teaspoon sugar, but
do not stir. Slowly sprinkle 1 tablespoon yeast into the water, making
sure each particle gets wet. Again, do not stir. Wait 10 minutes until
the yeast is thick and foamy.
MIX
While you are waiting for the yeast to proof mix the following ingredients
in your bread bowl, stirring well between each addition: 1/2 cup warm milk,
2 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, the proofed yeast, 1 cup flour
and 1/4 cup cooled margarine.
ADD FLOUR (quickly)
Add remaining flour 1 cup at a time to make a stiff dough. Lightly
coat the dough with flour before turning it out.
KNEAD
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and
elastic: 10 minutes.
1ST RISING
Place the dough in a greased bowl, turn to grease the top, set in a
warm, draft-free spot until double in bulk: 1½-2 hours.
SHAPE
Punch the dough down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
Cut the dough in half and work with 1/2 at a time. Roll 1/2 into a 14"
x 12" rectangle. Brush the dough with 1/2 of the melted butter. Mix the
filling together and sprinkle half of it on the dough. Roll the dough up
like a jelly roll and place it on a greased baking sheet. Shape the roll
into a ring and pinch the seam together. Cut at 1" intervals with scissors.
Twist each cut to show the filling.
EGG WASH
Just before baking brush the dough with egg wash.
BAKE
Bake at 3500F in oven for 30-35 minutes. Cover the
bread with aluminum foil if the fruit starts to darken too quickly. Cool
immediately after baking on a wire rack.
GLAZE
Drizzle with Icing Sugar Glaze (page 22) while still warm. Decorate
with glaced cherries.