Greek Holiday Bread

Name: Greek Holiday Bread
Ingredients: 5 whole bay leaves; 2 cups boiling water; 3 packages dry yeast; 1/4 cup warm water (105° to 115°); 2 cups sugar; 1 cup butter or margarine, melted; 5 eggs, beaten; 1 cup milk; 10 cups all-purpose flour, divided; 1 egg, beaten; 1/4 cup milk; 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

12 ingredients

5 steps

Ingredients

5 whole bay leaves
2 cups boiling water
3 packages dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105° to 115°)
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
5 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
10 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Directions

1

Combine bay leaves and boiling water; set aside to cool.
2

Dissolve yeast in warm water, stirring well; let stand 5 minutes or until bubbly.
3

Combine sugar, butter, and 5 eggs. Remove bay leaves from water; discard. Add seasoned water, 1 cup milk, and dissolved yeast to egg mixture, stirring well. Add 4 cups flour; beat well. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Cover; let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 3 hours or until doubled in bulk.
4

Punch dough down; turn out onto a floured surface. Divide into 6 equal portions, shaping each into a ball. Place each ball in a well-greased 8-inch round cake pan. Press down gently to fill pan. Cover loosely; repeat rising procedure 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in bulk.
5

Combine egg and 1/4 cup milk; stir well. Gently brush top of loaves with egg mixture; sprinkle 1 teaspoon sesame seeds over each loaf. Bake at 300° for 50 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes on wire racks before removing from pans.