Note: This recipe must be started first thing in the morning since it takes hours to prepare.
4 cups whole milk, 1 cup sugar, 1 stick butter, 1 beaten egg, 2.5 - 3 lbs four (+extra), 2 t. salt, 2pkgs dry yeast, 2 T cardamom,
2 cups chopped walnuts, 8 oz green cherries, 8 oz red cherries, 1 cup golden (white) raisins. *cherries need to be cut in half* Note: Paradise brand Holiday fruit is what is used for the cherries.
Use an extra large pot thick bottom pot like a dutch oven (kettle). Scald milk slowly til scum forms on top. Remove from heat, skim off scum (discard scum) then add butter, sugar & salt stir til melted - set aside to cool.
Pot /kettle need to be cooled to the touch, then prepare the yeast per pkg instructions , add cardamon to milk mixture. Stir well, add beaten egg to yeast mixture. Stir well combine milk & yeast, mix, begin to add flour, fruit & nuts slowly - mixing well. Get all fruit & nuts added before dough forms. Once dough forms & gets stiff, turn out onto well floured surface and kneed into flour til dough doesn't stick. Return to extra large kettle & let rise 2 - 3 hours and cover in a warm spot. - Return to floured surface, Divide into equal portions, kneed each one and then place in prepared loaf pans. Spread softened butter over tops of each, let rise again another (2 - 3 hours). 2 large bead loaf pans bake at 350 degree 1 hour or 4 mini loaf pans just 30 minutes depending on size.
