Method

• 1.
  Place yeast in a bowl with 50ml warm water and 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Set aside for 15 minutes or until bubbles appear on surface.

• 2.
  Sift flour into a large bowl and add remaining sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, cinnamon, sultanas and rind. Stir in dissolved yeast, 3 eggs, milk, butter and 100ml water. Flour a board, turn out dough and knead with your hands for 5 minutes, until you have a soft dough. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size. Remove dough, place back on board and knock it back by pounding a couple of times with your fists. Divide dough into 2 long strips, plait together and place on a large, greased baking tray. Leave to rise for a further 1 hour.
• 3.
  Meanwhile, make coloured eggs. Place eggs in a saucepan of cold water with food colouring and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, remove from heat and allow to cool in pan for 1/2 hour.
• 4.
  Preheat the oven to 190°C.
• 5.
  Lightly beat remaining egg. Set coloured eggs down the centre of plaited bread and brush with beaten egg. Bake for 25 minutes until golden. Serve warm with butter.