Saffron Bun

Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1 (1/4 ounce) package yeast
• 1/2 cup sugar, plus
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half, scalded and cooled to warm
• 5 1/2 cups flour
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 large egg yolks, beaten
• 1 large egg yolk, beaten with
• 1 teaspoon milk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 3/4 teaspoon saffron thread (crushed and diluted in 2 t warm milk)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon rum extract
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup candied fruit (or mixed dried fruit)
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• confectioners' sugar

Recipe

• 1 in a large bowl, combine the yeast, the 1 t sugar and the half and half. let stand till foamy, about 5 minutes.
• 2 gradually add half the flour to the yeast mixture, beating till smooth.
• 3 place this sponge in a warm draft free place and let stand till bubbly and doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
• 4 in a second large bowl, beat the egg and egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, butter, saffron mixture and the vanilla and rum extracts with an electric beater till smooth.
• 5 stir in the raisins and candied fruit into the sponge and then add the egg mixture.
• 6 add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition, till you have a sticky dough.
• 7 transfer the dough to a floured surface, sprinkle with additional flour and knead till you have a smooth, elastic dough, 5-8 minutes, adding more flour if necessary.
• 8 place the dough in a large buttered bowl, turning it to coat with the butter.
• 9 cover and set in a warm place till doubled in bulk, about 1 1/12 hours.
• 10 on a large floured surface, roll the dough into a long cylinder about 3 inches thick and 36 inches long.
• 11 place on a large buttered baking sheet and turn the ends in toward the center to form a large "pretzel." cover and let stand for 40 minutes.
• 12 preheat oven to 350.
• 13 brush the dough with the egg wash and sprinkle with almonds, pressing them in slightly.
• 14 bake in the middle of the oven till golden brown, about 45 minutes (i would start checking at about 30 minutes to be sure it doesn't over bake).
• 15 remove from the oven and cool on a rack.
• 16 allow to stand for 4-6 hours.
• 17 serve sprinkled with confectioners' sugar.