Basic Coffeecake Dough

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup plus 2 TB sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup hot milk
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup warm water
• grated orange peel
• 3 whole eggs
• 3 egg yolks
• 4-5 cups flour

Directions:

• Place the butter, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl.
• Pour the hot milk over it and let it cool to lukewarm.
• Meanwhile, mix together the yeast, sugar, cinnamon and warm water in a certamic bowl and place in a warm place until it bubbles vigorously:

• Add eggs and egg yolks to the milk mixture and beat well.
• Grate the orange directly into the bowl so no aromatic oils are lost.
• Add 1 cup flour, mixing well; add the yeast.
• Continue adding flour until you have a smooth, medium soft dough that is shiny and elastic.
• Knead until it cleans the sides of the bowl.
• Cover with a towel and place in a warm place to rise, abut an hour and a half.
• This amount makes 2 9x5 loaves.
• Use any filling and then let rise again until double, about half an hour.