Ingredients (for 4 portions): 

- 500 g flour
- 200 ml milk
- 1 egg yolk
- 20 g fresh yeast
- 4 g salt
- 80 g butter (room temperature)
- 70 g sugar
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 1 lemon
- caster sugar
- 1 tbsp butter
- egg and milk mixture

Preparation:

1. first warm the milk slightly and dissolve the yeast in it. Now mix together the flour, salt, sugar and vanilla sugar. Then add the milk and yeast mixture, the egg yolk, butter and lemon zest. Knead into a smooth dough for approx. 5 minutes using the dough hook of a hand mixer or a food processor.
2. lift the dough out of the bowl and shape into a ball with your hands. Grease the inside of the bowl with a little oil, cover and leave the dough to rise at room temperature for about two hours.
3. knead the dough well again on a floured work surface and divide into three equal pieces. Shape into three strands that are approx. 35 cm long. Place the strands of dough on a baking tray and braid them into a plait.
4. Cover the loaf and leave to rise for another hour, brush with the egg and milk mixture and sprinkle with caster sugar. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C top/bottom heat for approx. 30 minutes.