Page 64 - A Literary Holiday Cookbook

7 Slice a decorative slit across the top of the dough with a sharp

knife, cutting about ½ inch into the dough. **

8 Melt butter and brush it over the top and sides of the dough. Bake

for 40 minutes or until brown and the loaf sounds hollow when firmly

tapped on the bottom. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

Serve on a cheery Christmas morning!

* When making bread, the kitchen shouldn’t be any colder than

71°F. If your kitchen is cold in the winter, letting the dough rise

near (but not on) the preheated oven can help keep it warm.
** For best results, keep the decoration simple. The loaf pictured

has 1 curved line across one side of the top of the loaf with small

lines about 2 inches apart radiating out from it on either side.