Kosuniak Easter Bread

== Description ==
Macedonian Easter bread
== Ingredients ==
* 10 full cups all purpose flour (about 3½ lbs)
* 2 cups milk
* 2 cups sugar
* rind of 1 lemon
* ½ lb butter melted (reserve 4 tbsp.)
* 4 tsp sugar
* 1½ cups warm water
* 4 pkg. dry yeast
* 6 eggs, well beaten
* 1 cup flour + 2 cups flour for kneading
* 1 egg beaten, for topping
* sesame seeds for topping
== Directions ==
# Heat oven to 200 °F and shut off.
# Measure 10 cups flour in a large shallow pan; push to sides to leave a hole in centre.
# In a small saucepan mix 2 cups milk, 2 cups sugar and lemon rind. Warm to melt sugar.
# In a large bowl, prepare yeast by mixing 4 tsp sugar with 1½ cups warm water, sprinkle yeast on top, cover and set aside.
# Add butter to milk mixture, stir.
# Beat eggs with electric mixer for 2 minutes, add to milk mixture and stir.
# Begin to mix dough by pouring ½ of milk mixture into the centre of the flour, bringing in flour from all sides by hand; continue adding remaining liquid.
# Stir yeast and add to dough, mixing with hand as before.
# Keep dough soft, use both hands and add about 1 cup flour.
# Knead slightly and turn out on heavily floured table.
# Knead for about 10 minutes, then cut slashes with a knife in several places (this allows more air to get in dough) 
# Add about 2 cups more of flour, kneading as you work.
# Cut through twice more while kneading about 5 minutes longer. Total kneading time is about 10 to 15 minutes.
# Use 4 tablespoons reserved butter when called for hereafter.
# Lightly grease a warm roasting pan with butter.
# Lightly grease a clean table top and turn dough once so that all is lightly covered with butter.
# Place greased dough in pan; butter top with fingertips, so that no crust will form.
# Cover with cloth and let rise 1 to 1½ hours in warmed oven.
# Butter 4 loaf pans.
# Turn dough onto buttered table and cut into 12 equal strips, 3 at a time, about 9 inches long and 2 inches in diameter.
# Twirl slightly, braid and tuck ends under and place in loaf pans.
# Pat evenly on top and touch with butter.
# Cover and let rise 1 hour until double in bulk in oven.
# Remove from oven and heat oven to 300 °F.
# Beat 1 egg and brush loaves; sprinkle with sesame seeds, bake for 1 hour.
# Loaves should be light brown on bottom, and deep brown on top.
# When making a double recipe divide into two parts after mixing together all ingredients and before kneading to make baking easier.
Category:Easter Breads
Category:Macedonian Appetizers
Category:Sesame seed Recipes
Category:Recipes that need photos