dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of the milk; add 1/4 tsp of sugar until yeast becomes active. Add one cup of the flour to the yeast; sprinkle with flour and let rise until double. set aside
2
combine salt and egg yolks; beat until thick. Add sugar and peels, mix until well combined and light in color.
3
combine the yeast mixture with the egg yolk mixture. Add two cups of the flour and the remaining milk, alternating each so that the mixture doesn''t get to wet or dry. knead for 5-10 minutes.
4
Add remaining flour and the butter knead until dough comes away from the sides of the bowl. cover and let rise until double.
5
Seperate into 6 mini loaves; cover 5 of the loaves. separate the reamining loaf into 3 parts. roll into long strip. pinch the ends of the strips and braid together. repeat with remaining dough.
6
Brush with beaten egg whites and sprinkle with poppy seeds. bake at 350 for 40 minutes switching loave positions every 15 minutes for even baking.