Curd Christmas Bread

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1
  Crumble the yeast into a cup, add a teaspoon of sugar and a tablespoon of flour. Pour in lukewarm milk and mix. Let the yeast rise in a warm place, which takes about 10 minutes.
• 2
  Sift the flour into a bowl, add sugar, vanilla sugar, and a pinch of salt. Make a well in the center, pour in the risen yeast, add egg yolks, curd, and melted butter. Work into a smooth dough that does not stick (you can use a mixer with a dough hook).
• 3
  Finally, mix in the raisins. Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, until it doubles in size.
• 4
  Divide the risen dough into 9 equal parts.
• 5
  Braid a plait from 4 pieces, then from three, and finally from two. Place these three parts on top of each other.
• 6
  Transfer the Christmas bread to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover with a cloth, and let rise for another 20 minutes.
• 7
  Beat the egg and brush the Christmas bread with it.
• 8
  Sprinkle with almond slices. Bake in an oven preheated to 180 °C for about 40–45 minutes.
• 9
  After 20 minutes of baking, you can cover the Christmas bread with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning.