Russian Plait

Directions

1. 1
   Mix the milk and yeast in a bowl. Add a little flour and mix into a smooth paste.
2. 2
   Sprinkle with a layer of flour, cover, and allow to rise for 1 hour.
3. 3
   Add the eggs, flour, salt, 100 grams of sugar and 90 grams of butter and mix well. Form into a dough ball that is smooth ,,ut not sticky.
4. 4
   Allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
5. 5
   Place on a lightly floured surface and roll out into a rectangle of 1/2-centimeter thick.
6. 6
   In another bowl, mix the remaining sugar and butter.
7. 7
   Spread with the filling, roll up and cut off a slice, 2.3 centimeters wide, and set aside.
8. 8
   Cut the roll of dough almost in half lengthwise, stopping 2 centimeters from the end.
9. 9
   Take one half and place across the top of the other half, in the form of a plait. Continue in this way until the end.
10. 10
    Place the plait on a baking sheet and top with the remaining strip of dough as decoration.
11. 11
    Allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
12. 12
    Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
13. 13
    Bake for 30 minutes. If it browns too quickly, cover with aluminum foil after 15 minutes.
14. 14
    Allow to cool and brush with milk. Sprinkle with cocoa powder or powdered sugar when dry.