Christmas Bread Towers Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the evaporated milk, sugar, shortening, salt, eggs and 2 cups of flour; beat until smooth. Stir in mixed candied fruit and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (do not knead). , Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/4 hours. , Punch dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; knead 3-4 minutes. Pat evenly into a greased 10-in. tube pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled, about 45 minutes. , Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to cool on a wire rack. , Combine the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to reach desired consistency; drizzle over bread. Garnish with additional candied fruit if desired.

Steps:

• Sprinkle the yeast over warm water in a large mixing bowl; stir until dissolved.
• Add 3 cups of flour, butter, peanut butter, sugar, 4 eggs and 1 egg yolk. Blend together on low speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
• Add remaining flour and fruit; beat with a wooden spoon. Turn onto a floured board; knead until smooth.
• Place in a lightly greased bowl and turn to grease surface. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 2 hours.
• Punch down; knead until smooth. Divide into thirds. Place into 3 greased and floured 1-pound coffee cans. Let rise until double in bulk, about 30-45 minutes.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Brush with reserved egg white; sprinkle with additional sugar.
• Bake for 45 minutes longer or until bread tests done. Remove the bread from the can and cool.
• Wipe the cans and prepare with Christmas paper if desired or place the loaves in festive plastic wrap and tie with a Christmas ribbon.