Grandmas Bohemian Braid Food

GRANDMA'S CHEESE BRAID

Steps:

• Mix 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, sugar and undissolved dry yeast in a large mixer bowl.
• Combine yogurt, water and butter in a saucepan.
• Heat over low heat until liquids are very warm (120-130^F).
• Gradually add yogurt mixture to dry ingredients in bowl and beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Beat eggs.
• Reserve 1 T of beaten eggs for topping.
• Add remaining eggs, 1 cup flour, and 1 1/2 cups cheese to mixer bowl.
• Beat at high speed to make a stiff dough.
• Turn out on lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease top.
• Cover and let rise in a warm place free from drafts, until doubled in bulk, about an hour.
• Punch dough down.
• Turn onto a lightly floured board and divide in half; divide each half into 3 equal pieces.
• Shape each piece into a 12 inch rope.
• Braid 3 ropes together.
• Pinch ends together to seal and place in a greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.
• Repeat with remaining 3 ropes.
• Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk again, about 1 hour.
• Combine reserved tablespoon of beaten egg with milk.
• Brush over loaves.
• Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
• Bake in preheated 375 degree oven 30 to 35 minutes or until done.
• I always check the temperature of any yeast bread that I make with an instant read thermometer.
• It should be about 205^F.
• Remove from pans and cool on wire rack.

GRANDMA'S BOHEMIAN BRAID

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in milk, sugar and salt. Beat in eggs and butter. Add four cups of flour one cup at a time beating until well mixed. Add remaining flour and knead 7 to 10 minutes. Let rise twice, until at least double in size, about 60 minutes each time. Knead in remaining ingredients. Divide into equal parts depending on number of braided loaves. Then divide each of these into three even pieces. Roll each piece into 14" long strands. Braid three strands loosely on greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 45-60 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes. Ice with powdered sugar glaze while warm and decorate with green or red cherries and pecan halves.