Holiday Baking Tradition

Growing up, my mom always made two particular breads for Thanksgiving. After I got married I began making them, and now it is a tradition for my family.

Orange Bread

5-5 1/2 C Flour

2 T Yeast

1/2 t Cardamom

1 c Milk

1/2 c Butter

1/2 c Sugar

1 t Salt

2 Eggs

2 T Orange peel

1/3 c orange juice

1 Egg yolk

1 T Milk

Warm milk, butter, sugar, & salt in saucepan. Remove from heat. Add eggs, orange peel, & orange juice. Stir.

In separate bowl, mix 2 cups flour & cardamom. In a small cup mix 1/2 cup warm water, yeast & 1 t sugar. Stir until bubbly. Add to flour mixture, then add egg mixture and then add remaining flour one cup at a time. Knead well; cover and let raise until double in size.

Punch down and divide into 3 equal parts, then divide each part into three. Roll each part into long skinny pieces; braid them together loosely. Mix egg yolk and 1 T milk together; brush over top of loaves. Bake @ 350 for 25 mins. Or until golden brown. Makes 3 large loaves.

Almond Payswirl

Use your favorite cinnamon Roll recipe. Instead of using cinnamon and sugar as a filling mix the following Ingredients together.

2 Cups chopped Almonds

1 cube melted butter

2/3 C sugar

1/2 t Almond Flavoring

sprinkle over rolled out dough. Roll up and shape into an oval.. Cut dough w/scissors about 2/3 of the way through in 2 inch sections. Shape into wreath. Let raise about20 mins. Bake @ 350 for 25 mins.

Frost with your favorite cream cheese frosting.