• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 pkg. active dry yeast
• 3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
• 2/3 c. milk
• 9 eggs
• 2 tsp. grated lemon peel
• Easter egg coloring kit
• 1 tsp. water

1. In bowl, mix sugar, salt, yeast and 1 cup flour.
2. Heat butter and milk until very warm (125 degrees).
3. With mixer at low speed, beat liquid into dry ingredients.
4. At medium, beat 2 minutes.
5. Beat in 2 eggs, 1 egg white, and 3/4 cup flour, beat 2 minutes.
6. Stir in lemon peel and 1 1/4 cups flour.
7. On floured surface knead dough about 5 minutes working in about 1/2 cup flour; place in greased bowl, turning to grease top.
8. Cover; let rise in warm place until double, about 1 1/2 hours.
9. Meanwhile, dye 6 eggs your favorite colors, following directions from Easter egg coloring kit, but do not hard-cook eggs; set aside.
10. Grease large cookie sheet.
11. Cut dough in half; form each 1/2 into a 30-inch long rope.
12. On cookie sheet, twist ropes together to form ring, leaving holes for 5 eggs.
13. Cover, let rise until double, about 1 1/2 hours.
14. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
15. Insert raw, colored eggs into holes in twist; place 1 egg in center in cup, beat egg yolk with water; use to brush dough.
16. Bake 30 minutes or until golden.
17. Cool on wire rack.

    Makes 1 loaf, 16 servings.