Italian Easter Bread Worth Making and Eating: Buccellato (one of many delicious Italian breads)

Ingredients

• 4 cups of flour
• 1 ½ cups of sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 4 heaping teaspoons of  brewer’s yeast dissolved in ½ cup lukewarm water and allowed to sit for 5-10 minutes (until frothy)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup  milk
• ½ cup raisins soaked in ¼ cup of Madera or other sweet wine
• 2 teaspoons aniseeds
• Glaze:  1 egg white, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup warm water mixed together along with 1 tablespoon melted butter

Preparation

Combine the flour, sugar and salt into a mount on a smooth work surface and make a well in the center. Combine the eggs, melted butter, yeast, raisins with the wine, anise seeds and milk and pour into the well.  Use fingertips to combine the mixture.  Add additional flour or milk until a smooth dough is formed.  Knead for a minute or two and then place on a floured board, cover and let rise for 1-2 hours. 

Once risen, break the dough into two pieces and form two ropes.  Place a glass onto a parchment covered baking sheet and form each of the ropes around the glass to create a uniform ring, crimp the edges together.  Let rise at least another 60 minutes.  Brush the tops with the glaze and back at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until the tops are brown.