¼ cup warm water

2 cups warm milk

¾ cup sugar

½ cup butter or margarine, softened

½ teaspoons salt

¾ teaspoon ground cardamon

2 eggs

7 to 8 cups all purpose flour

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, sugar, butter, salt, cardamon, eggs and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn into a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 -8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Divide each half into thirds. Shape each piece into a 13-in rope. Place three ropes on a greased baking sheet. Braid ropes; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bakke at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Brush tops with pastry brush and margarine.

Enjoy!