Ingredients
3 /4 cup water
1/4 cup (half a stick) margarine or butter, cut into 8 pieces
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup very warm water
2 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour, unsifted
1/2 teaspoon anise seed
Topping
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons sugar

Instructions:
In large bowl, mix yeast with warm water until dissolved and let stand 5 minutes. Stir in margarine or butter, the water, sugar, egg, and salt. Now add flour and anise to the yeast mixture. Blend well until dough ball is formed.
Flour a pastry board or work surface very well and place the dough in center. Knead until smooth. Return to large bowl and cover with dish towel. Let rise in warm place for 90 minutes. Meanwhile, grease a baking sheet and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Knead dough again on floured surface. Now divide the dough into fourths and set one fourth aside. Roll the remaining 3 pieces into "ropes."
On greased baking sheet, pinch 3 rope ends together and braid. Finish by pinching ends together on opposite side. Divide the remaining dough in half and form 2 "bones." Cross and lay them atop braided loaf.
Cover bread with dish towel and let rise for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl mix cinnamon and 2 teaspoons sugar together. In another bowl, beat egg lightly.
When 30 minutes are up, brush top of bread with egg white and sprinkle with sugar mixture, except on cross bones. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

Questions? Email Leslie Goldman