Onion Lover's Twist Bread

Ancient recipe. This is an involved yeast bread but it is beautiful and tasty! The filling could easily be herbs rather than onion. The paprika makes for a nice color in the filling but it could easily be omitted. Add more herbs though to absorb the butter.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 45 mins
• Yields: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• For Bread

• 1  tablespoon dry yeast
• 1⁄2 cup hot water
• 4  cups flour, divided
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄4 cup margarine or 1⁄4 cup butter
• 1  egg

• For filling

• 1⁄4 cup  melted butter or 1⁄4 cup margarine
• 1⁄2 cup onion, very finely chopped
• 1  tablespoon parmesan cheese (or other grated cheese)
• 1  tablespoon sesame seeds or 1  tablespoon poppy seed (I choose poppy but you could leave out seeds)
• 1  teaspoon  garlic salt
• 1  teaspoon paprika

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 F degrees.
2. Grease two cookie sheets.
3. In a large bowl dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup hot water (105 degrees).
4. Add 2 cups flour, the sugar, milk, salt, butter and egg, blending at low speed until moistened.
5. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed.
6. Stir in remaining flour to form a soft dough.
7. Cover and let rise in a warm and dry place until double in bulk, 45-60 minutes.
8. Combined all filling ingredients.
9. Stir down dough and divide in half.
10. Roll each half out to a 18x12" rectangle on a floured surface.
11. Cut length-wise in to three 4x18 inch strips.
12. Transfer strips to a cookie sheet.
13. Fill each strip with filling.
14. Use a brush to lightly dampen edges with water and pinched closed.
15. Braid the three strips like a pony tail, being sure to pinch ends tightly.
16. Tuck them under a bit for a beautiful loaf.
17. Repeat with second dough on a second sheet.
18. Let rise until double, about 45-60 minutes.
19. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes.
20. Brush with butter when removed from the oven for a glossy finish if desired.
21. serve warm or cold.