1/3 c. warm water
1 tsp. sugar
1 cake yeast
1 c. milk
1/2 c. shortening
1 tsp. salt
1/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
4 c. flour
Melted butter
Sugar and cinnamon
Chopped apples
Nuts
Raisins (optional)
Maraschino cherries (optional)

Combine first 3 ingredients; let stand. Heat milk and shortening in a pan. Put in salt and sugar; mix and let cool. Put in the yeast mixture. Add beaten eggs and flour. Mix and let rise.

Cut in half and roll out each half and treat each in the following way: Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, nuts, and chopped apples (you can use raisins and maraschino cherries if desired).

Cut into 3 strips and make a long roll of each strip. Braid and put on a cookie sheet. Let rise for 1/2 hour and bake for 30-35 minutes at 375 degrees. While still warm, cover with powdered sugar icing.