Ranée wrote:

> Christmas Bread
>
> 2 cups whole milk
> 2 tablespoons olive oil
> 1/4 cup sugar
> 1 teaspoon salt
> 4 1/2 cups bread flour
> zest of one orange
> 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
>
> Run on dough cycle. Remove from machine and knead on lightly floured
> surface. Split dough into to equal portions and shape into rounds.
> Place on prepared baking sheets and flatten into 6 - 8 inch circles.
>
> Make three slashes in the top with a sharp knife and allow to rise
> for 40 to 50 minutes. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 40
> minutes or until bread sounds hollow. Cool for 20 to 30 minutes and
> serve warm.

Hmmm... I was going to make stuffed brioche pockets for Christmas brunch.
Maybe I'll use this dough instead; my bread machine could use the exercise!

My original plan was for two different stuffings (ricotta, peach schnapps &
peaches; spinach, bacon & cheese), but I don't think those would work as
well with the Christmas bread dough. If I do make the Christmas bread dough,
I think one filling would be Cajun hot sausage with cabbage, and the other
one would be any leftover cardamom-scented fresh cheese with candied
pistachios (which I'm making as part of my Christmas Eve dinner).

Thanks, Ranée!

Bob