Yield: 10 Servings
| Measure | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3 packs | (1/4 oz) active dry yeast (3 Tbsp) |
| ¾ cup | Warm water (110F) |
| 1 tablespoon | Plus 1 cup sugar |
| \N \N | About 7 3/4 cups all-purpose flour |
| 1½ cup | Milk |
| 1¼ cup | Unsalted butter or margarine |
| 6 \N | Eggs |
| 2 \N | Egg yolks |
| 1½ teaspoon | Salt |
| 2 \N | Egg whites |
| \N \N | Topping: |
| ¼ cup | Sugar |
| ½ cup | All-purpose flour |
| 1 teaspoon | Ground cinnamon |
| ¼ cup | Unsalted butter or margarine, chilled |
This desert, a cross between cake and sweet bread, is often baked for Easter. Grease side and bottom of 2 (10 inch) tube pans. Prepare Topping;set aside. In a shallow, medium bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1 Tbsp sugar and ½ cup flour; stir to combine. Cover; let stand in a warm place 5 to 10 minutes until foamy. Heat milk and butter or margarine in a small saucepan until melted. Let stand until mixture cools to warm. In a large bowl, beat eggs, egg yolks and remaining 1 cup sugar until pale and frothy. Add cooled milk mixture, salt and yeast mixture. Beat unil smooth. Gradually beat in 4½ cups flour. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead dough into a soft, smooth dough. Divied dough in ½. Arrange 1 part dough in each greased pan. Cover with a damp cloth; let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly beat 2 egg whites in a small bosl until foamy. Brush beaten egg whites on top of dough. Evenly sprinkle Topping over dough. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserte in centre comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans 3 to 4 minutes on racks. Turn out of pans; cool completely on racks. Frost with Powdered Sugar Icing if desired. Makes two (10 inch) cakes. Topping: In a small bowl, combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter or margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Powdered Sugar Icing: 2 egg whites 1 ½ cups sifted powdered sugar ½ tsp lemon juice In a medium bowl, beat egg whites until frothy.
Gradually add powdered sugar, beating constantly. Beat 10 minutes or until glossy. Add lemon juice; beat 2 minutes or until icing stands up in soft peaks. Makes abou 1 ¼ cup icing.