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1
Warm the milk and margarine until about 120F.
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2
Blend the liquid, 1 1/2 Cups flour, sugar, salt, yeast and eggs until moistened.
-
3
Beat for 2 minutes.
-
4
(This is easier if you have an electric mixer.
-
5
).
-
6
By hand, stir in flour until you have a stiff dough.
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7
(Don't worry if you haven't used all the flour, you will add more during the kneading process.
-
8
).
-
9
Knead on a floured surface until smooth and elastic.
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10
This will take about 5 minutes.
-
11
Grease a bowl, place the dough in it and turn the greased side up.
-
12
Cover and let rise until doubled.
-
13
this will take 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
-
14
Please be patient.
-
15
Grease a cookie sheet.
-
16
Punch down the dough and divide it into four equal parts.
-
17
(Yes, four.
-
18
).
-
19
Shape each part into a strip about 20 inches long.
-
20
You can roll the dough in your hands like you used to do with plasticine.
-
21
Place the 4 strips side by side on the prepared cookie sheet.
-
22
Yes, one end will extend over the ends of the sheet.
-
23
Pinch the 4 strips together at one end.
-
24
Now, braid the strips by weaving the far right strip over and under the next strips to the far left.
-
25
Weave the next far right strip.
-
26
Continue until you braid all the pieces.
-
27
Then, pinch the ends together to seal.
-
28
Cover and let the loaf rise until doubled in size.
-
29
This will take up to an hour.
-
30
You can make the loaf look really special by brushing it, before baking, with a beaten egg or egg yolk.
-
31
Please take care to not let the egg drip on the cookie sheet.
-
32
If you have sesame or poppy seeds you can sprinkle them liberally on the loaf.
-
33
Place the loaf in an oven heated to 375F.
-
34
Bake about 35 minutes or until golden brown.
-
35
It will sound hollow when lightly tapped.
-
36
Slide off the cookie sheet to a rack and let it cool.
