Instructions:
Yield: 2 large loaves. Can be frozen.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Proof the yeast in the lukewarm water with the teaspoon of sugar. Scald the milk, add the butter and stir until melted. Let stand until lukewarm, then add this mixture to the yeast sponge. Add the help cup of sugar, salt, eggs and cardamom, and stir until blended. Measure in the flour, cup by cup, until you have a dough stiff enough to knead. Stir in the raisins and the chopped citron. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until shiny. Place in a large buttered bowl, cover with a towel and let stand in a warm place to rise approximately 1 hour or until doubled in bulk. Take the dough out and punch down a couple of times. Divide into 2 equal pieces and shape into loaves which you will place in 2 large (9" by 5") loaf pans that have been buttered. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Then bake in the oven for about 35 minutes or until light brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped with your finger. Cool in the baking pans. When completely cool, take the loaves out onto a piece of wax paper and spread the glaze on top.

This makes a nice holiday gift when formed into a circle before rising and baking, and then topped with red and green candied cherries.

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