Soften yeast in 1/4 cup warm water (105-110 degrees). Heat milk, sugar, shortening, and 1 teaspoon salt till sugar dissolves; cool to lukewarm. Stir in 1 cup flour; beat smoth. Add softened yeasst and egg; beat well. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a saft dough. Knead on lightly flour ed surface till smooth and elastic (8-10 minutes). Place in greased bowl; turn once. Cover; let rise in warm place till double (about 1 hour). Punch dough down; divide into thirds. Cover; let rest 10 minutes. Shape 1/3 of dough into 6 eggs; place close together in center of greeased baking sheet. For nest, shape remaining dough into two 26-inch ropes; twist together. Coil around eggs; seal ends. Cover; let raise in warm place till double (about 1 hour). Preheat oven to 350 degrees for about 20 min utes; bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from sheet; cool. Tint coconut with a few drops of green food coloring. Frost bread with Confectioners' Icing. Sprinkle eggs with colored sugars or candy decorations and nest with the coconut. (Makes 1 basket) |
