Greek Trinity Loaf
Ingredients
- 3 each to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (divided)
- 0.3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 package RapidRise or fast-acting yeast
- 1 tsp anise seed
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 cup water (70 to 80 degrees F)
- 1/3 cup butter or margarine, cut up
- 2 each whole eggs plus 1 separated egg (divided)
- 1 cup golden raisins
Instructions
- 1
In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, anise seed and salt.
- 2
Heat water and butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees F); stir into dry ingredients.
- 3
Stir in 2 eggs, 1 egg yolk (reserve egg white) and enough remaining flour to make soft dough.
- 4
Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- 5
Cover; let rest 10 minutes.
- 6
To shape and bake dough: Remove 1/2 cup dough; reserve.
- 7
Knead raisins into remaining dough; divide into 3 equal pieces.
- 8
Form each into smooth ball; arrange on greased baking sheet in the shape of a 3-leaf clover.
- 9
Divide reserved dough into 4 equal pieces; roll each into 10-inch rope.
- 10
Place 2 ropes side by side; twist together, pinching ends to seal.
- 11
Repeat with remaining ropes.
- 12
Arrange twisted ropes on 3-leaf clover in the form of a cross, tucking ends under.
- 13
Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.
- 14
Lightly beat reserved egg white; brush on dough.
- 15
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- 16
Bake bread for 30 to 35 minutes or until done, covering with foil after 10 minutes to prevent excess browning.
- 17
Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.
- 18
Bread machine method: (For 1 1/2- or 2-pound bread machines.) Using 3 1/4 cups bread flour and 3 teaspoons rapid-rise or fast-acting yeast, add ingredients to bread machine pan in the order suggested by manufacturer.
- 19
Process on dough/manual cycle.
- 20
When cycle is complete, remove dough to floured surface.
- 21
If necessary, knead in additional flour to make dough easy to handle.
- 22
Proceed as directed above to shape and bake dough.