Houska

==Description==
Adapted from Betty Crocker's International Cookbook. We had something similar at a wonderful local Swiss restaurant.
== Ingredients ==
* 1 package yeast
* 3 tablespoon honey
* ½ cup warm water
* ¾ cup scalded milk
* ¼ cup granulated sugar
* ⅓ cup margarine
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 4¼ - 4¾ cups flour, divided
* 2 eggs
* ¼ teaspoon mace
* ½ cup golden raisins
* ½ cup sliced almonds
== Directions ==
# Mix the honey and warm water to dissolve, add yeast.
# In a small saucepan, heat the milk almost to boiling point, then remove from heat.
# Combine the scalded milk, Sugar, margarine, and salt; cool to lukewarm.
# Stir 1 cup of flour into milk mixture, beat well.
# Stir in the yeast mixture. 
# Add eggs and beat well. 
# Add mace, raisins, and almonds. 
# Add 3 more cups of flour, stirring to make a soft dough.
# Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, adding flour a little at a time to keep dough from sticking. 
# Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning the dough once to grease all sides. 
# Cover and let rise in a warm place until dough is double in size (about 1 hour).
# Punch down dough and divide into 5 pieces, 3 the same size, 2 slightly smaller. 
# The 3 larger pieces are rolled out to form a 17-inch roll and then braided together. This is the bottom row. 
# The 2 smaller pieces are rolled out and twisted together and placed on top of the 3-braid piece, tucking the ends under. 
# Assemble on a cookie sheet with parchment paper on the diagonal.
# Let the Houska rise in a warm place until about double in size.
# Rush the tops with milk. 
# Bake in a 350 °F oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown. 
# Brush the tops lightly with butter when the loaves are still warm for a softer crust.
__NOTOC__
Category:Almond Recipes
Category:Bread Recipes
Category:Bread appetizer Recipes
Category:Mace Recipes
Category:Raisin Recipes
Category:Serbian Appetizers
Category:Serbian Snacks
Category:Sweet appetizer Recipes