Babci's Babka

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4 ounce) envelope dry yeast

• 1/2 cup light cream or half-and-half
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1/3 cup light golden raisin

Cheese Topping

• 8 ounces cream cheese (blend cream cheese sugar, and add egg yolks, continue to blend well with mixer until smooth)
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar

Directions

1. 1

   Dissolve yeast in warm cream.

2. 2

   Combine with half the sugar and half the flour and let double in size.

3. 3

   Add all remaining ingrdients except the raisins and knead until smooth.

4. 4

   It will be sticky. Add more flour as necessary to keep it from sticking to the counter. (I usually use at least 1 1/2 cups extra.)

5. 5

   Add the raisins while continuing to knead.

6. 6

   Grease a tube or bundt pan and dust with flour.

7. 7

   Place dough in pan, cover with plastic wrap and a clean cloth and leave in a very warm draft-free place until double once again.

8. 8

   Spread the top with cheese topping. Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes or until golden brown.

9. 9

   NOTE: I use a heating pad to keep the bowl warm and keep the dough rising.