• Add all of the ingredients EXCEPT for the raisins, peel, citron and almonds, to the bread machine, in the order listed above.

  1/2 cup milk, 2 large eggs, 1/2 tsp salt, 3 tbsp liquid honey, 1/4 cup butter, cut into 1 inch cubes, 2 1/2 cups all purpose or bread flour, 1 tbsp bread machine or instant yeast
• BAKING IN THE MACHINE OPTION: If you are baking the bread in the bread machine, select Sweet Cycle.
• Add the raisins, peel, citron and almonds at the "add ingredient" signal. OR

MAKING THE DOUGH ONLY: I did not bake my bread in the bread machine, so I selected the "Dough" cycle. Here's How To:

• When the dough cycle is up, remove the dough, and knead in the raisins, peel, citron and almonds.

  1 tbsp grated orange zest, 1 tbsp grated lemon zest, 1 tsp anise seeds, 1/2 cup golden raisins, 1/2 cup mixed candied peel, 1/3 cup candied citron, 1/4 cup silvered almonds
• Let the dough rest and rise on a floured surface for 15 minutes, covered with a bowl or damp tea towel.
• 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 the bread braid rise in a warm space, covered with a damp tea towel, for 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
• In the meantime preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
• When the dough has doubled in size, add an egg wash to make the crust shiny. Just mix together 1 tbsp water with 1 egg yolk, and brush the surface of the bread.

  1 large egg yolk, 1 tbsp water
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the bread sounds hollow when you tap the bottom.
• Let cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing.