If you are planning to make a feast for the New Year, Holiday Bread is my suggestion for you. The dough from this Holiday Bread is excellent and soft.
Ingredients:
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1/2 cup warm milk
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1/2 cube fresh yeast or 0.7 oz (about 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast)
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2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon sugar
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1 teaspoon vinegar
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2 large eggs
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3 1/2 tablespoons oil
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3 1/2 oz margarine (about 7 tablespoons), at room temperature
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Sesame seeds, for sprinkling
Preparation:
Dissolve the yeast, sugar, and a teaspoon of flour in the warm milk and let it activate for a few minutes. In a mixing bowl, whisk together one egg, oil, salt, and vinegar. Pour in the yeast mixture, then gradually add flour and knead until you have a smooth dough. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for 30 minutes in a warm place.
Once risen, knead the dough again and divide it into four equal parts. Roll out each part into a rectangle (about 6 x 10 inches), spread margarine evenly over each piece, and roll them up tightly.
Pair the four rolls into two sets and twist each pair into a braid. Grease a 9-inch round baking pan with margarine (lining the bottom with parchment paper is optional). Take one braid, form it into a ring shape, and place it in the center of the pan. Wrap the second braid around the first, tucking the ends underneath.
Cover the pan with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise for about 60 minutes, or until it reaches the edge of the pan. Beat the remaining egg and brush it over the dough, then generously sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Preheat your oven to 390°F. Bake the bread for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F. Cover loosely with parchment paper and continue baking until the loaf turns golden brown. Once baked, remove the bread from the pan and wrap it in a clean kitchen towel to rest for a short while before serving.
