Holiday Hoska

Recipe by Cook's Hideout

Bake-a-thon 2014: Day 8 Bake of the Day: Holiday Hoska Hope all of you are done with your holiday shopping and started preparing for the big day, which is only 1 week away now. I finally ordered almost all of the kids gifts yesterday -- it is fun to shop online. I don't think I fair well at going shopping especially at this time of the year when the malls and roads are crowded. I prefer the peace of home :-) Now I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the gifts are shipped out on time and the mailman does not...

Ingredients

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• (1.25l) fish stock (-  (or use 4cups of all purpose flour))
• 1 tsp salt
• 5 tsp yeast (Instant)
• (1.25l) fish stock (-  (1 stick), softened (use vegan butter for vegan version))
• (1.25l) fish stock
• 2 tbsp Egg water (replacer - whisked in 6tbsp (or use 2 large eggs))
• (1.25l) fish stock (Ground)
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• (1.25l) fish stock
• (1.25l) fish stock (Chopped or Slivered)
• 1 tbsp egg soy milk agave syrup (Vegan wash substitute - mixed with 1tsp (or use 1 yolk whisked with 1tbsp water))

Method

1. Dissolve yeast in 1 cup warm water and set aside.
2. Beat butter and sugar in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer until smooth.
3. Blend in the egg replacer mixture (or eggs), salt, nutmeg and lemon zest.
4. Add the flour(s) and yeast mixture to the butter mixture and mix until a smooth and elastic dough forms. Add more flour to make sure that the dough is not sticky.
5. Shape the dough into a ball, cover and let rise for 1 hour.
6. Knead raisins and almonds into the dough. Divide into 2 equal halves. Cover one half and work on the other half.
7. Divide the half into 6 equal pieces. Roll 3 dough pieces into ½" thick ropes. Braid together on floured work surface, pinching together braid at both ends. Repeat with the same with the 3 remaining pieces. At this point -- you will have 2 braids. Place one braid on top of the other -- to make a double stacked loaf. Cover with towel and let rise for 1 hour.
8. Repeat the same process with the other half that is kept on the side.
9. Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush the loaves with the egg (replacer) wash.
10. Bake for 40~50 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar.

View the recipe instructions at Cook's Hideout