astray recipes: Houska

Categories: Breads; Czech
Yield: 1 Servings

Measure	Ingredient
	*** Sponge***
1 pack	Yeast
½ cup	Lukewarm Water
2 cups	Milk
4 cups	Flour
½ teaspoon	Sugar
	***Dough***
½ cup	Butter
⅔ cup	Sugar
2 teaspoons	Salt
3	Eggs -- Well Beaten
½ teaspoon	Ground Nutmeg
1	Lemon Rind -- Grated
4 cups	Flour (Up To 5 Cups)
¾ cup	Seedless Raisins
	Chopped Nuts
	***Glaze***
1	Egg -- Beaten
¼ cup	Milk

To make the sponge : Stir yeast and sugar into lukewarm water; let stand a few minutes. Scald and cool milk to lukewarm. Add softened yeast to milk. Add the flour; beat smooth. Let rise in warm place until light and bubbly. To make the dough: Cream together the butter, sugar and salt. Add beaten eggs, nutmeg and lemon rind. Blend this mixture with the risen sponge. Thicken with enough flour to make a stiff dough. Add raisins and nuts dusted with flour. Knead until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl; brush lightly with shortening. Cover; let rise in warm place until double in bulk. Turn out on a lightly floured board; shape into houska loaf. Brush top with egg mixed with milk. Bake 45 minutes at 350F.

Recipe By : St. Ludmila Catholic Church Cookbook