Cranberry Raisin Almond Strietzel Bread

Ingredients

Dough

• 1/2 ounce yeast, 2- 1/4 oz packages
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 lbs all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 lemon, zest of

Additons

• 2 tablespoons rum
• 1/2 cup golden raisin
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Topping

• 1/2 cup water
• 1 egg yolk, beaten
• 3/4 cup slivered almond

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. 2

   Grease a baking sheet lightly with butter.

3. 3

   Combine yeast, sugar and 1/2 cup of warm water in mixer bowl and let sit for 10 minuites.

4. 4

   Pour rum over the rasins and cranberries.

5. 5

   Add flour, salt, milk, eggs, butter, vanilla and lemon zest to the mixing bowl containg the yeast mixture. On a mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix all ingredients for dough for 2 minutes at slow speed followed by 6 minutes at fast speed.

6. 6

   Add the rum soaked berries and mix for 2 minutes more.

7. 7

   Rest the dough covered for 20 minutes.

8. 8

   Punch down and divide dough into 2-1 lb. loaves.

9. 9

   Cover and allow to relax for 20 minutes.

10. 10

    Cut each loaf into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece by hand into a long approximately 12-20 inch strip. Braid the 3 pieces together.

11. 11

    Place the braided loaves on the buttered baking sheet, cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

12. 12

    Combine 1/2 cup water with 1 beaten egg yolk and brush the braided loaves.

13. 13

    Brush a second time with the egg wash and sprinkle with slivered almonds.

14. 14

    Bake at 400 degrees for 20-22 minutes.