Christmas Morning Lucia Bread

2 Tbsp yeast

1 1/3 cups warm water

½ cup sugar

½ cup shortening or margarine melted and cooled

1 ½ tsp salt

5 to 5 1/3 cups sifted flour

¼ c powdered milk

2 eggs

½ tsp ground Cardamom  (This is expensive and I keep it in my freezer from year to year.)

Soften yeast in water.  Combine shortening, sugar and salt; cool to lukewarm.  Stir in 2 cups of flour; beat vigorously.  Add eggs; beat well.  Stir in softened yeast, cardamom and enough flour to make a soft dough.  Knead till smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes (5 or 6 in bread mixer).  Place dough in lightly greased bowl; turning once to grease the surface.  Cover; let rise in a warm place till doubled.  Punch down.  Divide dough in half; cover and let rest 10 minutes.  Divide each half into thirds.  Roll each third into a 20 inch strand.  Place a greased juice glass in center of baking tray and brain the 3 strands around it, seal ends together to form a continuous braid.  Remove the glass, cover and let rise in warm place until double.  About 1 hour.

Bake 350 degrees for 25 minutes until golden.

Remove to cooling rack.  While wreath is still warm brush with glaze:

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

add just enough milk or cream and 1 tsp vanilla to make of spreading consistency.

Decorate with walnut halves, red and green candied cherries if you wish.  Or sprinkle with red or green colored sugar.

From Grandma Call:

I read this recipe in the Better Homes and Gardens November 1982 magazine.  Since my Grandmother Henderson came to America from Sweden when she was 12 years old I wanted to try it.  It has been a family tradition ever since.

Makes two braids; one to eat and one to give away.  I usually double this recipe and use my Bosch bread mixer.  This will make 4 large braids or you can divide the dough so as to make smaller braids.  You can actually get 8 small braids out of the double batch.  They are still a good size for giving.  The perfect Visiting Teacher-Home Teacher gift.

I have also made this at Easter and decorate it with jelly beans.

Danielle's memories: 
Every Christmas morning Mom would slice each of us a piece of Christmas bread from Grandma Call.  Eating that bread was as much of a ritual as opening stockings or presents.  I am excited to make it for my family this Christmas.