CHRISTMAS TWIST

2 tablespoons of dry yeast
1/2 cup of water
1 teaspoon of sugar
8 cups of flour
1/2 pound of butter
1/4 teaspoon of mace
Grated rind of 1/2 lemon
1 egg
2 egg yolks
1 cup of sugar
1 pint of milk
1/2 cup of almonds, mixed with a little flour
1 cup of raisins
Egg white
Poppy seed

Soak yeast in water and 1 teaspoon sugar. Place flour in large mixing
bowl and work in butter, mace, lemon rind, eggs, sugar, milk, and
soaked yeast. Add almonds and raisins. Form a soft dough and knead
until smooth. Let rise. When rise, cut dough in half. Then cut each
portion into 9 pieces (4 large pieces, 3 smaller pieces, and 2 small
pieces). Braid the first 4 pieces. Braid the 3 pieces. Twist the 2
pieces. Stack. Brush with egg white. Let rise and sprinkle with poppy
seed. Bake at 350ºF. for 1 hour. Makes 2 loaves.