Christopsomo (Christ's Bread)

PREPARE:2 to 3 hours BAKE:35 to 40 minutes SERVES:6 to 8 1 envelope active dry yeast 1/4 cup warm water 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 cup milk 1 egg 1 tsp. ground cardamom 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted 1 and 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup golden raisins 1/4 cup chopped walnuts 1. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan; set aside. 2. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Allow to stand for a few minutes, until foamy. 3. Meanwhile, combine the sugar, salt, milk, egg, cardamom, and butter in a large bowl; mix well. Add the yeast mixture, both types of flour, the raisins, and the walnuts; mix well. If the dough is too moist, add just a little more all-purpose flour. You want a soft, smooth dough. 4. Turn the dough out on a hard, lightly floured surface and knead by hand until it is smooth and elastic. This should take 5 to io minutes. In a small bowl, set aside a bit of dough for designs; shape the remainder into a round loaf. Place the loaf in the cake pan and cover both pieces of dough with a towel. Set aside to rise in a warm place until the loaf is about twice its original size. 5. While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 350F. 6. When risen, the loaf is ready for decoration. Bake the loaf for 35 to 40 minutes, or until it is golden brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing it from the pan.