Instructions: Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water. Beat eggs, add cooled milk, sugar,shortening, salt, and yeast mixture. Beat in half the flour. Add fruit, raisins, nuts, and cardamom seed. Add enough flour to make dough easy to handle and not sticky. Knead until smooth.

Let rise until double; shape into 4 or 5 round or oval loaves (or braid, if desired) and let rise again.

Bake in 325 degree oven for 35 minutes on lightly greased cookie sheets.

When cool, decorate with powdered sugar frosting, and red and green candied cherries.

Frosting:
Mix the sugar and butter together. Stir in vanilla and add milk to desired consistency.

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