Ingredients
½ cup warm milk
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
½ cup bread flour
6 cups bread flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup white sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¾ cup butter, melted
3 eggs, room temperature
2 cups warm milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon water
½ cup chopped almonds
Preparation
Directions
Instructions Checklist
Step 1In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup milk, yeast and 1/2 cup flour. Cover and let the sponge rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
Step 2Place 6 cups flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the sponge, salt, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, 3/4 cup melted butter, 3 eggs and 2 cups milk. Mix thoroughly to make a stiff dough.
Step 3Transfer the dough into a greased springform pan. Brush dough with melted butter, cover with greased plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 60 to 90 minutes.
Step 4Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Beat egg with 1 tablespoon water to make an egg wash.
Step 5When dough has risen, insert a clean silver coin into the loaf. Brush dough egg wash and sprinkle with chopped almonds. Bake in preheated oven until deep golden brown, about 40 minutes.