Pamela’s Christmas Bread

4.7192

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

6 Tablespoons butter

1 egg

3-1/2 cups flour

2 packages yeast

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup water

Christmas Bread Filling:

One 8-ounce package cream cheese

1 teaspoon lemon peel

8 ounces cottage cheese

1 egg yolk (reserve egg white)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup raisins

Dough: Combine sugar, yeast, and 1 cup flour in a large bowl. Heat butter and water until warm. Add to bowl and mix at low speed for 1 minute, then at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add egg and 3/4 cup flour. Beat 2 more minutes. Stir in 1-1/4 cup flour. Knead 8 minutes, adding 1/2 cup flour. Rise until it doubles, then punch down. Let rest 15 minutes.

Filling: Blend ingredients together and chill while dough is rising.

Shape dough into a 15 x 12-inch rectangle. Scoop filling down center. On both sides, cut 1-inch strips. Crisscross over top. Let rise until doubled again. Brush with egg white. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.