Italian Anise Bread

Ingredients

• 12.38 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 5 tablespoons anise seeds
• 0.5 cups warm water
• 2 packages active dry yeast , .25 ounce
• 2 cups milk , warmed
• 8 eggs , at room temperature
• 0.5 cups unsalted butter , melted

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine flour, sugar, and anise seeds in a very large bowl; create a well in the center.

2. 2

   Combine warm water and yeast in a separate bowl. Let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 10 minutes.

3. 3

   Beat warm milk, eggs, and butter together in a bowl; stir into yeast mixture. Add milk mixture to well in flour mixture; knead using your hands until dough and your hands are no longer sticky. Cover dough with a clean cotton cloth and let rise, 8 hours to overnight.

4. 4

   Grease and flour 6 loaf pans.

5. 5

   Punch down dough; divide into 6 portions. Shape into balls; place each in a prepared pan. Cover pans and let rise for 1 hour.

6. 6

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

7. 7

   Bake in the preheated oven until bread is cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes.