Sweet Anise Bread from Uruguay

Ingredients

• ½ cup lukewarm water
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 egg yolk
• 4 to 5 cups flour
• 1 tbsp anise seed
• ½ cup butter
• 3 eggs
• 2 tbsp light corn syrup

Procedures

1. Sprinkle the yeast over the lukewarm water; stir until the yeast is dissolved.
2. Beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl with a fork until slightly beaten; add sugar, yeast mixture, salt, anise seed, butter, and 2 cups of flour.
3. Beat with electric beater until well beaten and smooth.
4. Stir in additional flour to make a soft dough.
5. Turn out onto a well floured pastry board and knead until dough is soft and elastic.
6. Do not add too much flour.
7. Place in a greased bowl and cover with a damp warm cloth.
8. Allow to rise until double in bulk.
9. Punch down the dough and make a round loaf, smooth on top with the folded edges on the bottom of the loaf.
10. Place in a deep round cake pan.
11. Beat the egg yolk with the corn syrup and brush the top with a pastry brush.
12. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15 minutes or until done.