Ingredients
1 cup milk1 cup sugar1 cup butter, cubed1 cup raisins2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)4 eggs6 teaspoons anise extract2 teaspoons vanilla extract1 cup chopped walnuts1/2 cup chopped red and green candied cherries8 cups all-purpose flourICING:1 cup confectioners’ sugar4 teaspoons milk
Preparation
In a small saucepan, combine the first four ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until butter is melted. Remove from the heat; cool to 110° to 115°.
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the butter mixture, eggs, extracts, nuts and cherries and 4 cups of flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down; divide into thirds. Shape each portion into an oval loaf; place in three greased and floured 8x4-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Bake at 350° for 60-65 minutes or until golden brown. Cover loosely with foil if top browns too quickly. Remove from pan to wire racks to cool.
In a small bowl, beat icing ingredients until smooth; drizzle over cooled loaves.
