Bubble Bread (Recipe)

Ingredients

4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
2 packages active dry yeast
1 cup milk, scalded
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup margarine or butter melted

Steps

1. Lightly grease a large bowl and grease a 10-inch tube pan; set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together 2 cups of the flour and the yeast.  In a saucepan, heat and stir the milk, shortening, the 1/2 cup sugar and the salt until the mixture is warm (120c to 130c) and the shortening has almost melted.  Add the  milk mixture to the flour mixture along with the eggs.  Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined.  Then beat on high speed for 2 minutes more.  Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.

3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface.  Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes).  Shape into a ball.

4. Place the dough in the prepared bowl; turn once to grease the surface.  Cover and let it rise in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size (about 1 1/4 hours).  Punch the dough down.  Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.  Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

5. In a small bowl, stir together the 1 cup sugar, the nuts and cinnamon.

6. Divide the dough into 24 pieces.  Shape each piece into a ball.  Dip each ball in the melted margarine or butter, then roll in the sugar mixture.

7. Place the dough balls in the prepared pan in 3 layers, staggering each layer.  Sprinkle the top layer with any remaining sugar mixture.  Cover and let the bread rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size (about 30 minutes).  Preheat the oven to 350c.

8. Bake the bread in the 350c oven for 45 minutes or until done.  If you pan has a removeable bottom, lift the bread from the bottom of the pan with large spatulas.  (You may want to ask someone to lend you a hand.)  If your pan does not have a removeable bottom, simply invert the bread onto a serving plate.  If desired, invert again.