3 c. milk
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cardamom, crushed
2 pkgs. dry yeast
6-7 c. flour
1/4 c. hot coffee
4 1/2 tbsp. sugar

Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water. Scald milk and pour over butter, salt, sugar and cardamom. Cool to lukewarm. Add yeast mixture. Beat in about 1/2 the flour, add beaten eggs and enough of the rest of the flour to make a soft dough. Knead about 10 minutes until elastic.

Let rise until double. Punch dough down and divide into 4 parts. Then divide each of the 4 parts into 3 parts. Shape each piece into a strand and braid the 3 strands together. Place on a greased baking sheet and let rise 1 hour until doubled, in warm place.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Mix coffee and sugar and brush on hot loaves. Sprinkle sugar on top.