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1
This cake should be started the day before the actual baking (or very early on the same day).
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2
Sift and measure flour.
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3
Blend yeast with 2 teaspoons warm water and let stand 5 minutes.
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4
Add yeast mixture to 1/2 cup flour and mix well.
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5
Make a little ball of dough out of the flour/yeast mixture.
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6
Place the dough in a bowl, in a warm place for 2 hours.
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7
When ball of dough has doubled in size, place 2 cups pastry flour on a pasty board, place yeast dough in the middle, add enough lukewarm water to make a soft pliable ball and knead carefully.
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8
Cover well and let stand in a warm place for 3 hours.
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9
Place 1 cup pastry flour on board, add yeast dough and enough lukewarm water to make a soft pliable ball of dough and knead well.
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10
Let stand in warm place for 2 hours.
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11
When dough has risen again, place 1 1/2 cups flour on pastry board, add dough, salt and melted butter and knead together well.
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12
Beat together egg yolks, whole eggs, sugar and 1/2 cup lukewarm water.
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13
Beat until frothy.
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14
Add to dough a little at a time, kneading constantly until everything is well absorbed.
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15
Add raisins and peel and knead well to distribute fruit evenly.
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16
You can make 1 large panettone, or loaf, or 2 small ones.
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17
If you wish to make two, divide dough in half and shape.
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18
Let the shaped dough rise in a warm place for 4 to 6 hours (depending on the heat in your kitchen).
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19
The loaf or loaves should be double their original size, and the dough should be very soft to the touch.
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20
Make a cross mark with a sharp knife on the top of each loaf, and place loaf on buttered paper on a baking sheet.
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21
Place in a preheated, hot oven (400u00b0F) for 5 minutes.
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22
Remove from oven quickly, and place a 1/2 tablespoon butter* in the center of the cross mark; (*if making 2 loaves, use 1/4 Tablespoon in each loaf).
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23
Return to oven and bake at 400u00b0F for 15 minutes.
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24
Lower heat to 375u00b0F, and continue baking 45 minutes, or longer, depending on the size of the loaf.
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25
Remove from oven and cool on a rack.
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26
This cake keeps fresh a long time, stored in a plastic bag.
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27
Its not necessary to keep it refrigerated.
