Recipe for Easter Bread

This is an old family recipe for the most delicious sweet bread I've ever had.

Sprinkle with brightly colored candiest and dot with multicolored Easter eggs. Traditionaly shaped in wreath form, you can calso shape it into a rabbit.

Lightly butter 15 1/2 x 12-in. baking sheet.
Dip in food dyes to color: 5 eggs (uncooked)

Soften
2 pkgs. active dry yeast
in
1/2 C warm water (110F) If using compressed yeast, soften 2 cakes in 1/2 C lukewarm water, 80F.
Let yeast stand 5-10 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour into a large bowl
1/2 C warm water
Blend in
1 1/2 C sifted flour
Stir softened yeast, and add to flour-water mixture, mixing well. Beat until very smooth. Cover bowl with waxed paper and towel and let stand in warm place (about 80F) for 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

Cream until shortening is softened
3/4 C butter
2 T lemon juice
1 T grated lemon peel
Add gradually, creaming until fluffy after each addition, a mixture of
1 C sugar
1 t salt
Beat until thick and piled softly
2 eggs
1 egg white
Add beaten eggs in thirds to sugar mixture, beating thoroughly after each addition. Add yeast mixture, mixing well.

Measure
4 1/2 to 4 3/4 cups sifted flour
Add about 1/2 of flour to yeast mixture and beat until very smooth. Mix in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface.

Select a deep bowl just large enough to allow dough to double. Shape dough into a smooth ball and place into greased bowl. Turn dough to bring greased surface to top. Cover bowl with waxed paper and towel and let dough rise until doubled (about 1 1/2 to 2 hours).

Punch down with fist. Divide dough into 2 equal balls. Let stand covered for 10 minutes.

Roll each ball out into a long roll about 36 in. long and 1 to 1 1/2 in. thick. Using the 2 long pieces of dough, form a loosely braided ring, leaving spaces for the 5 colored eggs. Place on prepared bakign sheet. Place colored eggs into spaces of braid. Cover loosely with towel. Set dough aside in a warm place until doubled.

Bak eat 350F for 10 minutes.

Brush bread with a mixture of
1 egg yolk
1 T milk
Sprinkle with
Tiny multicolored candies
Bake 40-45 minutes or more, or until bread is golden brown. (Eggs will be hard cooked).