Combine 2 packets of active dry yeast with 1/2 cup warm warm water; let stand a few minutes; stir to blend; Stir in 1 1/2 cups luke warm milk, 1 cup sugar, 1 t. salt, 1 t. ground cardamom (inexpensive if you buy it in bulk at Winco), 2 eggs beaten and 2 cups of flour. Beat smooth. Add 3 more cups of flour; beat until smooth. Stir in 2 cubes of melted butter. Add enough of the remaining flour (3 cups) to make a soft dough which can be handled. Cover. Let rest 15 minutes. Turn out on floured board; knead until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up. Cover with damp towel. Let rise in warm place (85 degrees) until double in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch down. Cover. Let rise again until almost doubled (about 1/2 hour). Turn out on lightly floured board. Divide into 3 parts to make 3 separate loaves of any shape. I usually braid mine, this year I also made one teddy bear shape. Candy cane twist is fun also. Last year I did a candy cane and topped it with frosting and crushed peppermint candies. Once you've shaped your loaves, bake at 375 for 18-25 minutes. Prepare powdered sugar frosting (1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 t vanilla and 1 T milk). Frost the loaves as soon as they come out of the oven. YUMMY FOR OUR TUMMIES!
A funny: The first year I made this I skipped the part that said to divide the dough into 3 separate parts. I had one GIGANTIC loaf that took an hour and a half to bake...I was wondering what the heck happened, until I called my mother-in-law and realized what I had done! Jeremy laughed hysterically....it was another comment that I still get occasionally...."that's not how my mom does it".
Jeremy and I both have many special childhood memories that we treasure. They are important traditions (to us) that we enjoy passing on to our own children. It's so much fun!
11 years ago