Laurie's Easy Kulich (Easter bread)

Last week in LEAH co-op, my co-teacher Laurie W read Patricia Polacco's "Rechenka's Eggs."
A beautiful tale, with gorgeous drawings of Russian painted eggs, geese, and ladies in traditional dresses. Oh, the colors!
Then, she also served the class her amazing variation on Kulich - a traditional Russian Easter bread.
It was soooooo good. I found out she had thrown it together combining some other recipes! Seriously, I am constantly inspired & in awe of the other homeschool mamas I get to meet!

Laurie's Easy Kulich

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter, divided

Dough:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup milk (can substitute with half yogurt)
1 egg

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 Tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Brush a loaf pan with 2 tablespoons melted butter.

Whisk flour, 2 tablespoons white sugar, baking powder, salt, raisins, and cinnamon together in a large bowl.
Work 3 tablespoons softened butter into flour mixture using your hands.
Beat milk and egg together in another bowl; pour into flour-butter mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until a soft dough forms.

Press batter into loaf pan, and bake 20 minutes (or until brown & set).
Let cool when done.

While bread cools, make glaze: combine powdered sugar and lemon juice. If too runny, add more sugar - if too stiff, add some water. Pour over bread when cool.