Gift Christmas Kuchen

Categories: Breads, Christmas
Yield: 2 Servings

1 pk Active dry yeast
1/4 c Sugar
1/4 c Warm water (105F-to-115F)
3/4 c Butter; at room temperature
1 Lemon; Grated peel only
-(no white attached)
1 Orange; Grated peel only
- (no white attached)
1/2 ts Dried mace
1 1/2 tb Ground coriander
-or anise seed
1 ts Salt
2 Eggs; at room temperature
2 1/2 c Bread flour (or more)
3/4 c Warm milk (105F-to-115F)

If you want to give a friend a special holiday gift, put a bright ribbon
around this bread. When tightly wrapped, it freezes well for 1 to 2 months.

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350F. Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water.
Beat 1/2 cup butter in food processor until light. Gradually add remainder
of sugar as you beat butter. Add lemon and orange peels, mace, coriander
and salt. Add yeast mixture. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each
addition, and then milk. Add enough flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to make soft
dough. Knead dough until elastic and smooth. Place dough in oiled plastic
bag or oiled bowl and turn to coat. Seal or cover with plastic wrap and let
rise at room temperature until doubled, about 1 hour. Turn out dough on
floured surface, punch down and cut into 2 pieces. Shape each into
rectangular loaf and place on greased baking sheet. Melt remaining 1/4 cup
butter and use to lightly brush tops of loaves.

TO PRESENT AS A GIFT: Make paper ribbon strips the width of your gift
ribbons and tie the bread loosely with the paper strips; secure with paper
clips, leaving enough room for the breads to rise. The paper will leave
marks for the position of the gift ribbons. Cover the loaves with plastic
wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 30-to-40 minutes. Bake
loaves about 30-to-45 minutes. Remove and place on a rack to cool. Remove
the paper strips. Replace strips with bright ribbons. Makes 2 Loaves

From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini

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