Title: Kolach (braided bread)
 Categories: Russian, Christmas, Breads
      Yield: 3 Servings
 
      1 ts Sugar
      1 c  ;Water, Lukewarm
      2 pk Dry Yeast
      3 tb Sugar
      2 c  Milk; (About 110 Degrees F.)
      2 lg Eggs
      1 tb Salt
      2 tb Oil Or Melted Butter; You
           -Can Use Up To 4 Tbs
      8 c  Unbleached Flour; Or More
           -If Needed
      1 lg Egg; Beaten With
      1 tb Water; For Glaze
      2 tb Dry Poppy Seeds
 
  Disolve 1 tsp sugar in the water and sprinkle the yeast over it. Add
  1 Tbl of sugar, stir and let stand for 10 minutes. Combine the yeast
  with the milk, lightly beaten eggs, salt, 2 tbl sugar, oil, and 3
  cups of sifted flour.  Beat until smooth.  Cover and let rise in a
  warm place until light and bubbly, about 1 hour. Mix in enough of the
  remaining flour to make a light, slightly sticky dough, then knead in
  the bowl until smooth and elastic,(Remember the heavier the dough,
  the heavier the bread.) and leaves the sides of the bowl easily. Or
  in the processor, add the yeast mixture to the flour and then add the
  liquids.  With the machine running, add more flour until a ball
  forms. Allow to rest for several minutes. Process until the dough is
  smooth and elastic.  Form into a ball and place in a lightly oiled
  bowl, turning once to oil the top. Cover with a linen dish towl,
  soaked in hot water and then wrung out until damp only, and let rise
  in a warm place until double in bulk.  Punch down and allow to rise
  again, slightly.  Divide the dough into 3 parts. Divide 1 part into
  thirds, rolling each into a rope 8 to 10 inches long and 1 1/2 inches
  thick. Braid together, starting at the middle and turn the ends
  under. Repeat with each of the remaining parts of the dough. Place
  the loaves on buttered baking sheets.  Do not crowd, since the loaves
  will double in size. Cover with the damp towel and let rise until
  almost double. Brush with the egg glaze and sprinkle with the poppy
  seeds.  Bake in a preheated 375 Degrees F. oven at least 1 hour, or
  until golden. Test by rapping the bottom, there should be a nice
  hollow sound.  Cool on wire racks until cold before cutting.
  
  Courtesy of Rich Harper