Hoska

Hoska is a traditional Czech holiday bread.  Mrs. Cisler always made it for the Motycka family for Christmas and Audrey has been making it since then.  Grandpa Malena (Eddie) really liked it. 

1/2 cup warm water
2 packages of active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups of scalded, lukewarm milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons of salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup soft shortening
7 cups of flour
2 teaspoons of grated lemon rind
1/4 teaspoon of mace
1 cup of raisins
1 cup of chopped blanched almonds

Dissolve the yeast in the water.  Sift in half of the flour, then add the milk, sugar, salt, eggs,
and the shortening.  Add enough of the remaining flour to make it handle easily.  Knead and let rise to about double size.  Divide into two portions to make two braids.  Divide each portion into four 14 inch strands .  On a greased baking sheet, loosely braid three strands, tucking the ends underneath.  Divide the remaining strand into three 12 inch strands and braid them on top of the first braid.  Let rise to double size (45-60 minutes), brush on an egg yolk glaze and bake 30-45 minutes at 350 degrees until brown. 

Decorate it white frosting, cherries, and nuts on top.