Orange Peel Bread

1 cup orange peel, cut into 1/4 x 1/2-inch strips
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
1 tablespoon butter
2 eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour
6 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two loaf pans.

Place orange peel in suitable saucepan; add water to cover. Boil until tender. Add 1 cup sugar; boil to a medium syrup; cool.

Cream butter, remaining sugar and eggs.

Sift flour, baking powder and salt; add with milk to creamed mixture. Beat with electric mixer at medium speed for 4 minutes. Remove from mixer bowl. Add orange peel and syrup; beat by hand with spoon for at least 1 minutes until thoroughly mixed. Turn into prepared pans. Bake for 30 minutes until about half done. Turn oven temperature to 300 degrees F. Cut a slit lengthwise in top of loaf. Finish baking at 300 degrees F.