Saffron Bread

Total Time: 8 hrs Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 7 hrs

Ingredients

• 24 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 lb butter
• 1 lb crisco
• 2 lbs currants
• 1 lb raisins
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
• 2 tablespoons nutmeg
• 1/4 cup salt
• 3 1/4 ounces active dry yeast
• 1 quart hot water
• 15 g saffron
• 1/2 quart of lukewarm water

Recipe

• 1 steep the saffron in the hot water overnight. make sure you use a container that is covered to keep the heat inside. this step is crucial to getting the taste and flavor you want in the bread.
• 2 the next morning, sift the flour into a very large bowl add the sugar then cut in the butter and crisco using a pastry cutter.
• 3 add the currants, raisins, orange peel, lemon rind, nutmeg, salt and saffron water.
• 4 mix together, then sprinkle the yeast on the top of the mixture and add the lukewarm water.
• 5 knead the bread mixture until everything is combined. the bread should be a light orange/dark yellow in color.
• 6 then place the bread in a warm location, covered. and allow to rise until doubled in size.
• 7 once doubled, knead the bread again, and allow to rise until doubled one more time.
• 8 cut the dough into 6 loaves.
• 9 knead each dough ball and then place the loaves into greased loaf pans.
• 10 cover the pans and allow to rise until about level with the top of the pans.
• 11 bake the loaves at 350 degrees for 1 hour.