Greek Anise Loaf

Total Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup milk, scalded
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon anise oil
• 6 drops cinnamon oil
• 2 3/4-3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Recipe

• 1 soften yeast in warm water. pour scalded milk over sugar, butter and salt; stir til butter melts. cool to lukewarm. stir in flavorings. add 1 cup of the flour; mix well. stir in 1 egg and softened yeast; beat well. add remaining flour ( or a little more or less to make a soft dough.) turn out on lightly floured surface. knead til smooth and elastic ( 8 - 10 minutes). place in lightly greased bowl, turning once. cover; let rise in a warm place until almost double (about 1 1/4 hours).
• 2 punch down. let rise again until almost double (1 hours). turn out on to lightly floured surface and divide dough into thirds; form in balls. cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
• 3 roll each under hands to form strands 16 inches long, tapering ends. braid loosely without stretching, beginning in the middle, working towards either end. pinch ends together. cover; let rise until almost double ( 40 minutes). combine beaten egg and water; brush over braid; sprinkle with sesame seed.
• 4 bake at 375* for 25 minutes.