Orange Scented Easter Bread

Total Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast (2 packages)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 6 -7 cups robin hood best for bread homestyle flour
• 1 3/4 cups warm milk
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups icing sugar
• 2 -3 tablespoons orange juice

Recipe

• 1 combine yeast, sugar, salt and 2 cups of flour in a large bowl, with a whisk or in the bowl of an electric mixer with a dough hook. add the warm milk, eggs, butter and orange zest. mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. add remaining flor 1/2 cup at a time (you may not need all the flour). until the dough is too stiff to stir by hand or if using a mixer enough flour to make a soft dough. knead dough 10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes by mixer.
• 2 place dough in an oiled bowl and roll around to coat. cover with plastic wrap. let rise in a warm place until doubled about 1-1 1/2 hours.
• 3 punch dough down and divide in half. divide each half in three strands and roll onto long ropes 14-inch long. braid 3 strands together and place on parchment lined baking shet. cover loosely with oiled plastsic wrap and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.,.
• 4 bake in preheated 350f for 25-30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 190°f if making 1 large bread, for 50-60 minutes.
• 5 glaze: combine icing sugar and orange juice. drizzle over warm bread.