Zopf Bread

1/2 oz. active dry yeast
2 2/3 C milk ~110 degrees
1 tsp. sugar
2 egg yolks
4 tbs. butter, softened~
7 C. flour
1 tbs. salt

Combine yeast, milk & sugar and mix well. Let sit until foamy(~10 min). Add egg yolks, butter, salt and 2 C. flour. Mix well. Add 3 C. flour & mix well. Add enough remaining dough until it is soft, supple and barely sticky. Knead 10min. w/mixer dough hook. Cover and let rise until doubled. Grease 2 sheet pans. Divide dough in half and divide each half into 3 pieces. Roll each piece into ropes about 1" in diameter. Braid 3 pieces together. Pinch the ends together & tuck under. Place each braided loaf on it's own sheet pan, cover and let rise again until doubled. Preheat oven to 425. Brush loaves with an egg/milk wash and bake about 20 min. or until golden brown.*Try sprinkling sesame or poppy seeds on after the egg/milk wash, before baking.

Posted by-Gnat