Polish Easter Bread (Babka)

2 cups flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 package yeast
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
3 eggs (at room temperature)
1 can seedless raisins

Mix 3/4 cup flour and yeast. combine milk and margarine in a saucepan only until WARM. Pour into bowl. Add remaining dry ingredients, and beat for 2 minutes in electric mixer.

Add eggs 1 at a time and up to a 1/2 cup flour to make a thick batter. Beat for an additional 2 minutes. Cover and let rise until doubled.

Stir in raisins and turn out into a 2-quart greased tube pan. Let rise uncovered for 30 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes. Before removing form pan and while still hot from oven, prick bread with a fork and pour Rum Syrup over the cake.

Rum Syrup:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup rum

Bring all ingredients to a boil.