Christmas Tree Bread

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron thread
• 2 (1/4 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
• 4 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 2/3 cups evaporated milk (1 large can)
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup butter, melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 9 cups flour, approx
• 1 (16 ounce) jar maraschino cherries
• icing
• 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 -3 tablespoons cream or 2 -3 tablespoons half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon white vanilla extract