Antonia's Old World Braided Italian Bread

Step 1

Mix the milk, sugar, butter, salt in a mixing bowl. Make sure the milk mixture is at room temperature.

Step 2

Add the water and yeast to the milk mixture.

Step 3

With the beater attachment to the mixture stir in about one half of the flour. Beat until smooth. Gradually stir in more flour and at this time switch to the dough hook. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). The dough should pull away from the sides but not be too dry. You may also knead by hand once most of the flour is mixed into the liquid. It may not need all of the flour.

Step 4

Place the dough into a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise about an hour.

Step 5

Pour the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into thirds, then each third into thirds again.

Step 6

Form into thick braids then brush each braid with a beaten whole egg--sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds.

Step 7

Let rise 45 minutes.

Step 8

Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes and cool on wire rack.