Braided Yeast Bread

1 T active dry yeast
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 c warm water
1/2 c sugar
1 c milk
1/4 c butter
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
4 1/2 c flour
1 beaten egg for glaze

In a small bowl, combine yeast, warm water, and 1/2 tsp sugar.  Set aside

Heat 1/2 c sugar, milk, butter and salt to 115 degrees F.  Pour into a mixing bowl and add beaten eggs and 3 cups of flour.  Mix well; add the yeast mixture.  Mix until combined, then add enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface; knead 3-5 minutes.  Place in a bowl, cover with a wet tea towel and let rise 1 hour.

Punch dough down; divide into 6 pieces.  Roll each piece into an 8-inch rope.  Braid 3 ropes together to form a loaf; repeat with remaining ropes.  Place loaves into 2 greased 8X4 inch loaf pans.  Cover with a wet tea towel; let rise 45 minutes or until doubled.

Brush laves with a beaten egg and sprinkle lightly with sugar.  Bake in a preheated 350 F oven for 30 minutes, or until loaves are brown.  Remove from pans and cool on a wire rack.