Austrian Vanocka

==Description==
A Czech Christmas bread baked in northern Austria. Makes one very large loaf or three smaller ones
==Ingredients==
* 2 pkgs dry yeast
* 1 cup warm water (105 – 115°F)
* ¾ cup warm milk
* ½ cup sugar
* 6 to 7 cups flour
* 1 stick butter, melted
* 3 beaten eggs
* 3 tbsp grated orange rind (I use just the orange part, rubbed off on a grater, so it takes two medium oranges to give me enough)
* 2 tsp almond extract
* 1 tsp nutmeg
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 cup each, golden and dark raisins
* 1 cup slivered almonds
==Directions==
# In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water
# Add the milk and sugar and let stand until the surface becomes foamy in about 5 minutes.
# Stir in three cups of the flour, the butter, eggs, orange peel, almond extract, nutmeg, and salt. 
# Beat until very smooth.
# Add enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough.
# Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and knead for 5 to 8 minutes while adding the raisins and almonds a little at a time.
# Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and turn it over once or twice to coat it with grease.
# Cover the bowl with a towel or wax paper and set it in a warm, quiet place until it has risen to double its size (about 1 hour).
# Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured board and divide it into threes 
# Divide each piece into thirds and, with your hands, roll each into a rope about twenty inches long.
# Braid the threes.
# For one loaf, put the biggest braid onto a lightly-greased baking sheet, the bigger braid on top, and the big braid on top of that.
# For three loaves, arrange the three (equal) braids separately on the lightly greased baking sheet.
# Let rise again for about an hour.
# Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 45 to 60 minutes.
# Check at 45 minutes by tapping on the loaf.
# If it is done, it will sound hollow.
Category:Almond Recipes
Category:Almond extract Recipes
Category:Orange peel Recipes
Category:Raisin Recipes
Category:Yeast Recipes
Category:Egg Recipes
Category:Golden raisin Recipes
Category:Austrian Snacks
Category:Christmas Breads
Category:Christmas Snacks
Category:Christmas Breakfast/Brunch