Easter Egg Bread

1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 pkg. active dry yeast
3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
2/3 c. milk
9 eggs
2 tsp. grated lemon peel
Easter egg coloring kit
1 tsp. water

About 5 hours before serving or early in day. In bowl, mix sugar, salt, yeast and 1 cup flour. Heat butter and milk until very warm (125 degrees). With mixer at low speed, beat liquid into dry ingredients. At medium, beat 2 minutes. Beat in 2 eggs, 1 egg white, and 3/4 cup flour, beat 2 minutes. Stir in lemon peel and 1 1/4 cups flour. On floured surface, knead dough about 5 minutes working in about 1/2 cup flour; place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm place until double, about 1 1/2 hours.

Meanwhile, dye 6 eggs your favorite colors, following directions from Easter egg coloring kit, but do not hard-cook eggs; set aside. Grease large cookie sheet. Cut dough in half; form each 1/2 into a 30-inch long rope. On cookie sheet, twist ropes together to form ring, leaving holes for 5 eggs. Cover, let rise until double, about 1 1/2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Insert raw, colored eggs into holes in twist; place 1 egg in center in cup, beat egg yolk with water; use to brush dough. Bake 30 minutes or until golden. Cool on wire rack. Makes 1 loaf, 16 servings.

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