1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup warm water
1 pkg. yeast
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. anise seeds, crushed in a mortar
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup mixed candied orange and lemon peel
1/4 cup maraschino cherries, drained
5 cups all-purpose flour, divided

Mix all ingredients with 3 cups of flour and beat until smooth. Add the remaining flour and work it in to make a stiff dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth.

Form the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, turning it over once. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until double in size, about 2 hours. Punch it down and let it rest 10 minutes.

Shape the dough into 2 even balls. Place each one on a butter baking sheet, cover with a towel, and let rise again until doubled.

Bake the loaves for about 40 minutes at 350°F.

Makes 2 loaves.