DOUGH
6 cups all-purpose flour (6 to 6 1/2 cups)
1 cup chopped dates or pitted dates, snipped
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 cup sugar
2 packages Fleischmann's® Rapid Rise Yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter or margarine (2/3 stick), cut up
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
2 eggs
TOPPING
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
OR
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
Servings: 24 / Yield: 2 Loaves
1. To make dough: In large bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups flour, dates, pecans, sugar, undissolved yeast and salt. Heat butter, milk and water until very warm (120 to 130ºF); stir into dry ingredients. Stir in banana, eggs and enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.
2. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces; roll each to 15-inch rope. Braid 3 ropes for each loaf, pinching ends to seal. Place on 2 greased baking sheets. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3. In small bowl, combine topping ingredients; sprinkle on loaves. Bake at 375ºF for 25 to 30 minutes or until done, switching positions of pans halfway through baking. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.
6 cups all-purpose flour (6 to 6 1/2 cups)
1 cup chopped dates or pitted dates, snipped
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 cup sugar
2 packages Fleischmann's® Rapid Rise Yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter or margarine (2/3 stick), cut up
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
2 eggs
TOPPING
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
OR
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
Servings: 24 / Yield: 2 Loaves
1. To make dough: In large bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups flour, dates, pecans, sugar, undissolved yeast and salt. Heat butter, milk and water until very warm (120 to 130ºF); stir into dry ingredients. Stir in banana, eggs and enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.
2. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces; roll each to 15-inch rope. Braid 3 ropes for each loaf, pinching ends to seal. Place on 2 greased baking sheets. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3. In small bowl, combine topping ingredients; sprinkle on loaves. Bake at 375ºF for 25 to 30 minutes or until done, switching positions of pans halfway through baking. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.
