Italian Christmas Bread

Ingredients

1 c warm water
2 packages dry yeast
1/2 c sugar
2 ts salt
1 stick
6 eggs
1 egg
6 cups sifted
1 c raisins
1 tb butter
2 tb water
2 tb sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
3 cups flour
8 springform with
4 slices buttered brown paper
1 melted

Instructions

butter. Cover with towel; let rise in warm place, free from drafts, until more than double in bulk, about 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a sharp knife, cut deep cross on top of bread. Brush with egg white combined with 2 Tbsp water. Bake 30 minutes. Remove bread form oven. Brush again with egg white mixture and sprinkle with sugar. Continue baking 30 minutes longer or until golden brown. Remove from pan; cool on rack. Makes 1 loaf.