Measure warm water into large bowl. Sprinkle in yeast, stir until dissolved. Add sugar, salt, butter and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Add 4 eggs and 2 egg yolks, beat until smooth. Stir in enough additional flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 5 to 8 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down; cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours.
Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface; divide in half. Divide each half into 3 equal parts. Shape each into 30-inch rope. Braid together. Place braid around 5 to 6-inch diameter inverted oven-proof greased bowl or round metal pan and place on large, greased baking sheet. Pinch ends to seal. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
Mix egg white and water; brush on dough. Sprinkle with poppy seed. Bake at 350?F (180 C) oven for 25 minutes or until done. Remove from pan; cool on wire racks. Serve with cheese, dip or spread in center.
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