Instructions: Dissolve yeast in warm water. Beat 3 eggs in a large mixing bowl; add salt, sugar, dissolved yeast, and butter. To this mixture, add 4 cups of the flour (all at once). Stir in the flour and continue to add 3 more cups of flour until the dough is of a soft consistency. Knead the dough on a floured board until the dough is no longer sticky and is springy to the touch. Place the dough in a greased mixing bowl and cover with a towel. Let rise 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in bulk. Punch down the dough, knead it a little, and divide it in 6 pieces. Roll each piece with your hands so they become long, skinny ropes. Braid 3 ropes, pinching the ends together.

Repeat the process with the other 3 ropes. Place each braided loaf on it`s own greased cookie sheet, cover with a towel, and let rise about an hour- until doubled in bulk. Brush the loaves with the 2 beaten eggs, sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds (optional). DO NOT PRE-HEAT OVEN- Bake in a 350F degree oven about 45 minutes, until the bread is golden-brown.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.