Kolacz Weselny (sculpture Cake)

This very old recipe is famous for the artistic, decorative sculpture
arranged on top. The picture in the cookbook has the upper outer edge
circled with a braid of dough and cutouts of ducks arranged flat on the
top.

Prepare Cheese Filling; set aside. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1
Tbsp sugar in 1/4 cup warm water. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.

Place 1 cup sugar, butter or margarine and eggs in large bowl. Beat until
pale and fluffy. Add yeast mixture, 1 pint milk, 2 cups flour and salt.

Beat until well blended. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft
dough. Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface. Clean and grease bowl.
Knead dough until smooth and elastic. Place dough in greased bowl, turning
to coat all sides.

Cover with a clean damp cloth;let rise in a warm place, free from drafts,
until doubled in bulk. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease side and bottom of a
10 inch springform pan. Divide dough into thirds. Using your hands, gently
press 1/3 of dough evenly over bottom and side of pan. Evenly spread Cheese
Filling over doughlined pan. On a lightly floured surface, roll out another
1/3 of dough to a 10 inch circle. Place over Cheese Filling. Gently pat
with your hands. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush milk over top of
dough. Cut remaining 1/3 dough in 4 even pieces. Shape 3 pieces into long
ropes. Braid ropes; apply to outer edge of cake. Using remaining dough,
cut desired figures with various cutters of form shapes with your hands.
Arrange figures on top of dough as desired. Lightly brush with milk. Bake
50 to 60 minutes or until golden brown. Cool cake in pan 5 minutes on a
rack. Remove pan side; cool completely on rack. Makes 1 (10 inch) cake.

Cheese Filling: With a grinder or food processor, process cheese. Do not
puree or over process. Place egg yolks, sugar and Vanilla Sugar in a large
bowl. Beat until pale and creamy, at least 10 minutes. Add ground cheese, a
little at a time, while beating. Beat until smooth.