I had so much fun braiding challah that I had to try again. Especially because my first try at six strand braid wasn't really a six strand braid. This one is a real six strand braid.
I didn't make Lucia buns this year but had to make at least one "s" shaped "occhi di Santa Lucia" style bread. In fact, the recipe I used for this bread was the saffron bun recipe. I simply omitted the saffron. (Please look here for occhi di Santa Lucia shaping.)
There are more photos of braiding here.
To make the crust shiny, just before baking, I brushed the bread with cream.
Festive bread made with milk, eggs, butter and sugar.
