Baking the bread in the bread machine:
- Add all of the ingredients EXCEPT for the lemon zest and currants, to the bread machine, in the order listed above.
- If you are baking the bread in the bread machine, select Sweet Cycle.
- Add the lemon zest and currants at the “add ingredient” signal.
- Let your bread machine do the rest.
Making the dough in the bread machine, then shaping and BAKING IN YOUR OVEN:
- Add all of the ingredients EXCEPT for the lemon zest and currants, to the bread machine, in the order listed above.
- Choose the dough cycle.
- When the dough cycle is up, remove the dough, and knead in the lemon zest and currants.
- Then let the dough sit on a floured surface for 15 minutes, covered with a bowl.
- After this time, split the dough into 3 pieces, and roll it out into long ropes, about 1 inch thick.
- On a parchment lined baking sheet, braid the ropes, pinching the ends together.
- Let it rise, in a warm place covered with a tea towel, for 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- In the meantime preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- When the dough has doubled in size brush the surface of the bread lightly with milk or cream.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes – until the bread sounds hollow when you tap the bottom.