Vánočká (Czech Christmas Bread)

Ingredients

• •8 cups flour
• •1 cup warm milk
• •1 cup sugar
• •2 cakes yeast
• •1 tablespoon salt
• •6 eggs, beaten
• •1 cup melted butter
• •2 tablespoons vanilla
• •1 1/2 cups raisins
• •1 cup chopped blanched almonds

Directions

1. 1Sift flour into large bowl. Make a well in center. Pour in milk and sugar. Crumble in yeast cakes. Stir and let rise to top of milk and mix in a little flour. Add salt, eggs, butter, and vanilla. Mix. Add raisins and almonds. Place on a lightly floured board and knead until smooth. Place into a greased bowl, cover and let rise until double. Divide dough in half. Divide each half into four equal large pieces. 3 smaller pieces and 2 small pieces. Roll each into equally long rolls. First braid the 4 large rolls, forming a loaf. Place on greased pan. Then braid the 3 rolls and place them on top of the braid and twist the remaining 2, putting them on top of both braids. Let rise, then brush with beaten egg. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.