ZOPF

Did you see my post for Challah? It was an attempt to create this bread. I finally tracked down the recipe and it was just as I remembered. Thanks to Rosemary and Amber Yamamoto for sharing.
Zopf

11-12 c flour
2T yeast
2 sticks butter softened
3 c milk- lukewarm ~100 degrees
3/4c sugar
3 eggs at room temp
2 t salt
the zest of 1 lemon
egg wash

Place 3 c flour in bowl and sprinkle the yeast in and mix. Mix in sugar and salt. To the heated milk add butter. add beaten eggs to milk mixture. add milk mixture to dry ingredients and add zest. begin mixing and add one cup of flour at a time, until desired consistency reached.
Continue to mix for 5 min. Do manual kneading for a few minutes. Place dough in greased bowl and let rise until doubled (can punch down and let rise again if desired) Shape dough and let rise. Bake @ 350 for 35-45 min, on a cookie sheet that is greased.

*to shape dough- turn out onto counter. cut into thirds. cut each third into thirds and roll into ropes. Braid and place on baking sheet to rise 20-35 min.
*prior to baking may coat with an egg wash.