Polish Egg Bread

Ingredients

• 5 packages active dry yeast , .25 ounce
• 2 cups lukewarm water , about 110 degrees F/43 degrees C
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1 cup unsalted butter , cut into pieces
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 cups superfine sugar
• 10 large eggs , room temperature
• 5 pounds bread flour

Instructions

1. 1

   Dissolve yeast in 1 cup lukewarm water in a bowl. Let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, bring milk to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat; add remaining 1 cup lukewarm water, butter, and 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon salt; stir until butter melts. Stir in sugar until dissolved.

3. 3

   Cool milk mixture until lukewarm, then stir in dissolved yeast mixture.

4. 4

   Beat eggs in a separate bowl until combined; whisk in milk mixture, then gradually mix in flour.

5. 5

   Transfer dough to a floured work surface; divide in half, using a serrated knife. Shape each half into a ball; place dough balls into 2 large greased bowls. Cover with greased plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place for about 1 ½ hours.

6. 6

   Lightly grease 3 baking sheets or line with parchment paper. Turn dough balls out onto a well-floured surface. Divide each dough ball into 3 equal pieces (6 pieces total); form each piece into a ball. (Dough will be very sticky and soft at this point.) Keep covered with greased plastic wrap.

7. 7

   Working with one ball at a time, divide 1 dough ball into 3 equal pieces. Form each piece into 3 ropes; braid together and place onto half of 1 prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining 5 dough balls. You should be able to fit 2 braided loaves per baking sheet. Cover loaves loosely with plastic wrap; let rise for about 1 hour.

8. 8

   Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

9. 9

   Bake in the preheated oven until hollow-sounding when tapped on top of loaves, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool before slicing.