Ingredients:

¨ 1 teaspoon dry yeast
¨ 1/4 cup lukewarm water
¨ 4 cups all-purpose flour
¨ 6 eggs
¨ 1 teaspoon salt
¨ 1/2 cup butter, melted
¨ orange-flower water (optional)
¨ egg wash (1 egg white plus 1/2 egg yolk)
¨ sugar for sprinkling
¨ aniseed and nutmeg

Preparation:

Combine the yeast with the water and 1/3 cup of the flour. Let stand until the mixture doubles in volume.

Place the remaining flour in a large bowl, and in the center place the eggs, salt, sugar, aniseed, nutmeg, butter, and orange-flower water. Beat together, then add the yeast mixture, combining it with the dough. Knead on a floured board for 15 minutes or until the dough no longer sticks to the surface.
Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover with a cloth and let rise in a warm, draft free area for 3 hours or until the mixture doubles in volume.

Preheat the oven to 450oF. Pinch off about 1/3 of the dough and form into a 2-inch ball. Shape the ball into a long rope. Mold pieces of the rope to resemble little bones. Set aside.

Shape the remaining double into a round loaf and lightly graze with egg wash. Place the ball of dough in the center of the loaf and arrange the "bones" in a circular pattern around the ball. Glaze with the remaining egg wash.

Bake for 10 minutes in the hot oven. Lower the temperature to 350oF, and continue baking for 30 minutes.