Christmas Tradition--Hoska

Every year on Christmas Eve, the Blaha family gathers in Arnie and Dot's basement to celebrate.  This always involved good food, thousands of Christmas cookies and Czech Christmas bread--hoska.

Here's the recipe from Rose Svec Hansen:

Hoska
1/2 c milk

1/4 c sugar

1/3 c soft margarine

1 T salt

add to milk

3 T yeast

1/2 c warm water

dissolve yeast, add to above mixture

To above mixt:

Add 3 eggs slightly beaten

4 c flour

1/2- 1 c ground cherries and/or pineapple

a bit of lemon rind

blend/beat until smooth.

Sometimes Grandma Dot puts golden raisins in it

Add 3-31/2 c flour to make dough easy to handle.

Turn out & knead 5-8 min or until smooth.

Put in a greased bowl--let rise for 1 - 1 1/2 hrs.

Punch down--let rise 1/2 hr. 

Turn out & divide into 2-3 parts. Divide each part into 3.  Roll into long strips for braids.

Braid.

Let rise until doubled. 

Bake 350 for 30-35 minutes.

Brush with melted margarine and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.