Why not make a gift?
[Recipe from Creating Circles and Ceremonies by:Oberon and Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart]
Aeona's Ceremonial Bread - (My notes are in parenthesis) :silly:
-Makes 2 loaves- If you only want one, divide everything by 2
Ingredients--
2-packages of dry yeast
1/3-cups lukewarm water
2-tsp sugar
2-cups milk
1-stick butter
4-tbsp honey
3-egg yolks, beaten
1-1/2 tsp salt
6-cups flour
1-egg yolk beaten with 2-tsp water
Optional Ingredients (Recommended
)Dried fruit, nuts
Extra honey
Cinnamon
Instructions--I tried to explain this so that anyone of any skill level could make tasty bread
Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water(don't boil, the yeast will die :crying: ). Add sugar and stir well. Cover and set aside until foaming and doubles in volume. (7-15 minutes I recommend some classical music while you wait) In a large mixing bown stir milk (scalding) butter and honey. Cool to lukewarm (Stir the hot milk to melt butter and incorporate honey into mixture). (Only continue until yeast is risen and foamy!). Add beaten egg yolks, yeast, salt (Optional Ingredients) and 2 cups of flour. Beat vigorously with wooden spoon until bubbly and well blended (get all the lumps out). Add remaining flour one cup at a time, just enough to make soft firm dough. (If the dough is still sticky to the touch add more flour! It's okay, keep adding until the dough is soft and firm. I had to do this and it turned out fine. You should be kneading it with your hands at the point the dough is ready.
). Turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead for 15 minutes occasionally dropping dough hard onto the board (Now would be a good time to do incorporate any :wizard: into your cooking. This is the fun part of the process, I think. The secret ingredient is love lol. It sounds corny because it's overused and it's overused because it's true!). Place in a warm greased bowl (lightly) turning to grease top. Cover with a light clean towel and set in a warm place until doubles in bulk. (30-60 min. The longer you let it set the more fluffy it will be). Push down with floured fist and let rise again. (Same amount of time). Cut down, turn out onto lightly floured board and shape into two medium sized loaves. (Turn the oven on, preheat to 400*F) Place into greased 8x4x2-1/2" bread pans. Cover and let rise until dough has reached top of pan (Depending on what pan you have available this can vary but the step itself isn't too important. Skipping this wont kill the :drool: ness). Brush with beaten egg yolk and water (I used my hands 
). Now bake at 400*F for 10 minutes-(Most important step)-Reduce heat to 350*F and continue to bake for 35-40 minutes. (This depends mostly on the type of oven you have, tap the top of the bread. If it sounds hollow...the bread is done! :thumbup: ). Slice 3/4" thick and toast lightly.Now it's :hungry: time
For you and your spirits
Enjoy and happy holidays!
:dragons::
