Ingredients

• 7 cups flour
• 2 -3 teaspoons salt
• 1/2-1 teaspoon mahleb (see note)
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 1/4 ounces fast rise yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 4 large eggs
• sesame seeds, and
• nigella seeds, black seeds (to garnish)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt and mahleb.

2. In a medium saucepan, heat milk until hot. Add butter,

3. shortening and sugar, and stir until sugar is dissolved.

4. Remove from heat and set aside.

5. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Add a bit of

6. sugar to activate the yeast. The mixture should become foamy.

7. Make a well in the center of the flour. Add the eggs and the

8. milk mixture to the flour.

9. Pour in the activated yeast. Stir to blend well.

10. Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until

11. the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly

12. sticky, not dry.

13. Place the dough in a large greased bowl. Pat top of dough with

14. a bit of oil to prevent sticking to aluminum foil. Cover the

15. bowl with foil and then a dish towel. Let rise in a warm place

16. for 2 hours.

17. Break off a small amount of dough and shape into pretzels or braids.

18. Put rolls on a baking sheet and allow to rise for 30 minutes. Brush

19. with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds and/or nigella (black

20. seeds, see note).

21. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.