Danish Christmas Bread

[vegelady]

Danish Christmas Bread

2 pkgs dry yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water
1/2 cup milk, scalded
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup butter
5 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup warm water
2 tbsp dark corn syrup
Confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup chopped mixed candied fruits

DIRECTIONS:

Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water.
Mix milk, sugar, salt, and butter in large bowl; cool to lukewarm.
Add 2 cups flour; mix well. Add yeast, vanilla, and eggs; mix until
blended. Add enough remaining flour to make soft dough; mix well.
Knead on lightly floured surface, adding more flour as needed, 10
minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl; turn to
grease surface. Cover, let rise in warm place until double in bulk.
Punch down dough; shape into round loaf. Place on greased baking
sheet. Cover; let rise until double in bulk.
Bake in preheated 350F oven 20 minutes. Mix warm water and syrup;
brush on bread. Bake about 30 minutes, until well browned. Brush
with syrup mixture again; place bread on rack to cool.
Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, then with candied fruits. Yield
about 15 servings.

SOURCE: Encyclopedia of Creative Cooking