Great Grandma's New Year's Bread Recipe

Pour hot milk over shortening, sugar and salt to melt shortening. Put yeast in 1/4 cup warm water with a little sugar. Set aside. Add 2 cups flour to milk mixture and beat. Add eggs and beat again. Add 2 more cups of flour. Add last 3 cups of flour by hand. Knead 3 to 4 minutes and return to bowl to raise in sun for 1 to 2 hours. Punch down and divide into three sections of dough. With floured hands, roll each section into long "rope" and braid together. Place on cookie sheet and let raise 45 minutes to 2 hours. (May brush with egg white and sesame seeds before baking.) Bake at 375° for 20 to 27 minutes. Brush with butter after baking. Yields 2 large or 4 small loaves.