This is an old Czechoslovakia Christmas bread. Makes 2 loaves.

3/4 c. milk
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. warm water
2 pkgs. yeast
2 eggs
5 1/2 to 6 c. flour
1 tsp. mace
1/4 c. citron
1/4 c. white raisins
1/4 c. red candied cherries and 1/4 c. green cherries
1/2 c. whole almonds

Scald milk, stir in sugar, salt and butter. Cool to lukewarm. Put water in a warm bowl and add yeast. Stir until dissolved. Stir in milk mixture, add eggs and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Add enough flour (about 3 cups) to make a soft dough. Knead about 10 minutes. Let rise about 50 minutes. Knead in fruit.

Divide in half. Make 10 strips, then braid. Layer of 5, then stack a layer of 3, then 2. Repeat with other 1/2 of dough. Let braids rise about 1 hour. Bake at 375 degrees about 40 minutes. Should be well browned.