Swiss Christmas Bread Food

SWISS SUNDAY BREAD

Steps:

• Place flour into a bowl, creating a small hole in the center. Sprinkle salt around the edge and place yeast and sugar into the hole.
• Mix egg and egg white together in a 2-cup measuring cup. Add enough water to reach the 1 1/4 cup mark. Stir in milk. Add melted butter. Pour into the center of the flour. Mix thoroughly, adding more milk or flour as needed until dough is smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let rise for 30 minutes.
• Cut dough in 1/2. Form each 1/2 into a long roll. Lay rolls out in front of you on a work surface in an 'X' shape. Braid bread by constantly switching the ends. Place bread onto a baking sheet, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise for 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Brush bread with beaten egg using a pastry brush.
• Bake in the preheated oven on the middle rack until golden, about 30 minutes.

SWISS CHRISTMAS BREAD

Steps:

• In a saucepan, heat milk, water, and butter or margarine until warm.
• In large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, nutmeg, mace, and cloves; mix well. Stir in warm milk mixture and egg. Blend with an electric mixer at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand, stir in raisins, cherries, citron, nuts, and enough remaining flour to make a firm dough.
• Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, 5 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover. Let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Punch dough down. Shape into a round loaf, and place in a greased 2 quart casserole. Cover, and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Brush top of loaf with melted butter, and sprinkle lightly with 1 teaspoon sugar.
• Bake at 375 degrees F ( 190 degrees C) for 40 to 45 minutes, until deep golden brown. If too dark, cover loosely with foil last 5 to 10 minutes of baking. Cool.

BIRNBROT - SWISS PEAR BREAD

Steps:

• Dissolve the yeast in water, add one tsp flour and set aside in warm place for 10 minutes or so, until it is foamy and bubbly.
• Mix 1 cup flour, salt, sugar and softened butter in a mixer bowl. Add the yeast mixture and egg and mix thoroughly.
• Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth, about 10 minutes.
• Place in greased bowo, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Prepare the filling while the dough is rising. In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
• Add the fruit and the lemon juice to the water. Simmer over low heat, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes or until so tender that it can be mashed easily. Drain the fruit.
• Puree in a blender or food processor. Remove to a bowl and combine with the walnuts, lemon zest, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly - this will be a thick mixture.
• Grease a large baking sheet. Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a 9 x 9 inch square.
• Spread the filling on the dough, leaving a 1-inch margin all around. Roll the dough jelly-roll style.
• Place on the grease baking sheet, seam side down, and let rise in a warm place, covered, until doubled, about 30 minutes.
• Brush with glaze and bake in preheated 350 deg F oven 30 to 40 minutes or until done. Cool on wire rack.