Brioche (Almond Paste Bread or Marzipan Bread)

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Ingredients

  • 1 package dry yeast
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup almond paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 cup fine chopped roasted almonds
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Cream butter with one quarter cup sugar and salt; dissolve yeast in warm water. Add a pinch of sugar; let stand until bubbly.
  2. Add milk, yeast, eggs and flour to creamed mixture; mix well. Cover and let rise in warm place for 2 hours or until mixture doubles.
  3. Meanwhile, combine almond paste and almond extract and remaining 1/2 cup of sugar; set aside.
  4. Generously butter 1/8 cup tube mold; sprinkle with chopped almonds and 1 tablespoon sugar.
  5. Stir dough down and place 1/3 into prepared mold, building up around tube.
  6. Sprinkle with 1/2 of almond mixture.
  7. Repeat, ending with dough.
  8. Seal edges of dough to pans with floured hands.
  9. Bake at 400 degrees F for 40 minutes. Remove from pan; cool.

Makes one coffee cake.