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 degrees)
*3/4 cup warm milk
*1/2 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, butter, eggs, orange peel, almond extract, nutmeg, and the 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 degrees for 45 yo 60 minutes. 
* Check at 45 minutes by tapping on the loaf. 
* If it is done, it will sound hollow.
===Other Links===
==See also==
Category:Austrian Snacks
Category:Snacks
Category:Recipes
Category:Austrian Recipes
Category:Orange peel Recipes
Category:nutmeg Recipes
category:almond extract Recipes
category:orange peel Recipes
category:Dried Grapes Recipes
category:butter Recipes
category:orange Recipes
category:nutmeg Recipes
category:Sugar Recipes
category:granulated sugar Recipes
category:yeast Recipes
category:flour Recipes
category:water Recipes
category:salt Recipes
category:milk Recipes
category:almond Recipes
category:egg Recipes