• 2 c. milk
• 1/2 c. lukewarm water
• 1/2 c. butter
• 2 egg yolk, beaten
• 1 Tbsp. salt
• 8 c. (approx) unbleached flour
• 4 Tbsp. sugar
• 2 Tbsp. active dry yeast

Melt butter in warm milk over medium heat. Add salt and 2 Tbsp. of the sugar. Cool to lukewarm. Meanwhile sprinkle yeast over lukewarm water and 2 Tbsp. sugar.

Cover with plasic wrap and set aside until bubbly. Combine cooled milk mixture and yeast mixtures. Mix well. Add beaten egg yolks.

Slowly add 3 c.flour, beating on low with electric mixture. Add 1 c. at a time to make a soft dough.

Knead on floured board until dough is velvety and elastic.

Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top of dough.

Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place until double in size. Form dough into small balls, one slightly smaller on top of the other.

Place on greased baking sheet about 2 inches apart.

Let rise until almost double and bake at 375 degrees F. about 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Makes about 2 dozen Zwieback.

Old German Breadmaking Blessing

Der Herr hat es uns gegeben,
Ohne Brot ist kein Leben.
Solang ein Brot im Kasten
Brauchen wir nicht zu fasten.
Herr segne unser Brot,
Dann haben wir keine Not.
Der Vater, der Sohn, und der Heilige Geist.

The Lord has given us bread.
Without it there is no life,
As long as bread is in the cupboard,
We need not fast.
Lord, bless our bread,
For then we have no need.
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.