Kalisch (Braided Bread) for Purim - pareve

1 oz. (1 cake compressed yeast) OR 1/2 oz. (4 teaspoons) dried yeast
1 tablespoon warm water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 lb. (4 cups) plain (all purpose) flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 oz. (1/4 cup) sugar
2 oz. (1/4 cup) non-dairy margarine
2 eggs
warm water to mix

Glace' Icing
4 tablespoons icing
(confectioners') sugar and water to make a thin paste

Mix together the yeast., water, and 1 teaspoon sugar, leave until bubbly. Mix together the flour, salt, and sugar. Rub in the margarine. Mix the eggs with the yeast mixture. Pour this mixture into the center of the flour and using warm flour, if necessary, make into a stiff dough. Beat well. Knead on a board until smooth.

Divide into 4 pieces. Knead each, and roll into long strips and plait together. Or, alternatively, divide into two pieces , rolling each into a strip about 14 in. long. Place across one another on a board. Then take the two opposite ends of each strip , cross them over in center. Cross each strip alternately three times. Gather short ends together and lay the plait on its side. Brush with water.

Place on greased tin, and slip into a greased polymer bag. Leave in a warm place until doubled in size.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 30-40 minutes until loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Brush with thin glace' icing.