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1
Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water.
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2
Mix in 1/2 cup flour.
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3
Leave mixture in a warm place until it doubles in size.
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4
Sift together dry ingredients (sugar, salt, flour and cinnamon).
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5
Add the remaining ingredients, but only half the butter.
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6
Now add the yeast dough and mix until it forms a thick, but not hard, dough.
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7
Knead dough until it no longer sticky, adding more flour if necessary.
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8
Place dough in a large greased bowl, turn dough over and cover it with a cloth.
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9
Let dough rise until it doubles in size.
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10
Punch down and lightly knead it again, gradually adding the rest of the butter.
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11
Divide the dough into three equal parts.
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12
Shape two parts into separate round loaves, using the third as sculptural decoration for loaves.
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13
Lightly cover and let loaves double in size.
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14
While dough is rising, preheat oven to 350F.
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15
Glaze with beaten egg yolks, if desired.
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16
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until nicely browned.
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17
Sprinkle with sugar while warm.
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18
While loaves are cooling, mix confectioner's sugar with enough milk to get the consistency desired.
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19
When the loaves are cooled, decorate as desired with icing and other pastry confections to create skulls, flowers, birds or names of the deceased.
