1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon MTOO Ultra Premium EVOO
4 large eggs
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, stir yeast into water to soften for five minutes. Add three eggs, sugar, oil and salt and beat lightly. Add flour in small increments, continuing to mix, until you have a smooth, moist, elastic dough.
Turn the dough out on to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for five more minutes.
Put the dough into a large bowl oiled with olive oil, turning once to coat the entire ball of dough with oil. Cover and let rise until doubled, for about an hour.
Turn dough out onto a lightly oiled work surface. Divide into thirds. Shape each third into a rope about 20 inches long. Lay the ropes side by side on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Braid the ropes, tucking both ends under the loaf.
Cover and let rise in a warm area for 45 minutes.
Beat the reserved egg with a tablespoon of cold water to make an egg glaze. Brush the glaze lightly over the braid.