Basic Rich Sweet Yeast Dough

Total Time: 24 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 24 hrs Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1/2 lb butter (2 sticks)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 6 -8 cups flour
• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 egg yolks
• 2 whole eggs
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom (this really adds a special flavor) (optional)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon cream, more if needed to thin to desired consistency
• 1 teaspoon almond extract or 1 teaspoon rum extract or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons finely grated coconut (optional)

Recipe

• 1 (icing may be doubled and used for any cake or bun icing).
• 2 dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water and set aside until foamy.
• 3 heat milk, shortening, sugar and salt to melt shortening.
• 4 cool to warm and add yeast mixture, egg yolks and whole eggs.
• 5 beat well by hand.
• 6 gradually beat in by hand 6 cups of flour and the cardamom.
• 7 knead well on a floured surface only adding additional flour to make a smooth and elastic dough.
• 8 place dough in an oiled bowl, turn to coat with oil and cover and let rise double in volume.
• 9 punch down and cover dough and refrigerate overnight in large bowl.
• 10 when ready to use, punch down and knead briefly to warm up dough.
• 11 use dough as you wish for coffee cakes, sweet breads, buns, etc.
• 12 you may divide dough into 6 buns, or 4 equal pieces to make 4 small loaves or braids.
• 13 if braiding, divide each piece into 3 loose strands and braid and tuck under ends.
• 14 brush with melted butter.
• 15 place on baking sheets/pans and let rise double in volume.
• 16 bake in a 350f oven about 30 minutes or golden and tested done.
• 17 remove from pans/baking sheet to cool on rack.
• 18 mix icing ingredients and drizzle over warm cake/bread.
• 19 yield: approx.
• 20 6 buns, 4 small braids, or 2 large loaves.