CRANBERRY RAISIN ALMOND STRIETZEL BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Grease a baking sheet lightly with butter.
• Combine yeast, sugar and 1/2 cup of warm water in mixer bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Pour rum over the raisins and cranberries.
• Add flour, salt, milk, eggs, butter, vanilla and lemon zest to the mixing bowl containing the yeast mixture. On a mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix all ingredients for dough for 2 minutes at slow speed followed by 6 minutes at fast speed.
• Add the rum soaked berries and mix for 2 minutes more.
• Rest the dough covered for 20 minutes.
• Punch down and divide dough into 2-1 lb. loaves.
• Cover and allow to relax for 20 minutes.
• Cut each loaf into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece by hand into a long approximately 12-20 inch strip. Braid the 3 pieces together.
• Place the braided loaves on the buttered baking sheet, cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
• Combine 1/2 cup water with 1 beaten egg yolk and brush the braided loaves.
• Brush a second time with the egg wash and sprinkle with slivered almonds.
• Bake at 400°F for 20-22 minutes.