Prep. time: 20 minutes
Rising time: 2 hours
Cooking time: 40 minutes

This is the traditional Portuguese Easter folar, topped with a hard-boiled egg, or with four eggs in the shape of a cross. The bread symbolizes a nest, and the eggs a generation of new life. Giving someone folar is a wish for happiness and prosperity. 

1. In a bowl, combine the flour with the sugar, salt, cinnamon and fennel. Set aside.
2. Gently warm the milk and add the yeast. Mix until the yeast is completely dissolved.
3. Mix the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients (step 1), along with the melted butter and beaten eggs.
4. Knead to form a smooth dough.
5. Place the dough into a large floured bowl; cover and let rise for about 2 hours in a warm place.
6. When the dough has doubled in volume, knead again on a floured work surface.
7. Set aside a piece of dough which will be cut to form four strips.
8. Divide the remaining dough in half and place into buttered and floured round pans.