As I continue my regular gig blogging over at skepchick.org, I thought I would begin with a recipe! I made this because I accidentally bought way too many eggs. It was suprisingly easy, and very yummy. We ate waaaay too much of this.

1/2 cup plus 2/3 cup warm water
2 tbs dry yeast
3/4 cup sugar + 1tbs
5 large eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
7 1/2 cups (more or less) flour

1 large egg yolk
1 tbs water

Combine 1/2 cup warm water, yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in large glass measuring cup and stir until yeast dissolves. Let yeast mixture stand at room temperature until foamy, about 10 minutes.

In large bowl, beat 5 eggs until blended.
Add oil, salt and 3/4 cup sugar and beat until pale yellow and slightly thickened, about 4 minutes. Beat in 2/3 cup warm water.
Add yeast mixture and beat until blended.

Add enough flour 1 cup at a time to form smooth dough, beating well after each addition. Beat until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, adding flour by tablespoonfuls if sticky. Turn out onto floured surface and knead 2 minutes.

Lightly oil large bowl. Add dough, turning to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel. Let dough rise in warm area until doubled in volume, about 1 hr.

Punch down dough. Cover and let rise 30 minutes.

Divide dough into two bread baking pans. Cover with towel . Let rise in warm area until almost doubled, about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk yolk with 1 tablespoon water to blend. Brush dough with egg mixture. Bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake until bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on bottom, about 35 minutes. Transfer loaves to rack and cool completely.

I did try the braiding step, but it just made bread that was rather difficult to cut. Still quite tasty though!