Babka with Cheese Filling

Ingredients

1/4 ounce dry yeast
1/4 c lukewarm water
10 tbsp soft butter
1/2 c sugar
1 tsp salt
4 egg yolks, room temperature
1 lemon zest
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cardamom
5 c flour, sifted
1 c milk, scalded and cooled to lukewarm
1 c raisins
1 c dried cranberries
1/3 c fine unseasoned breadcrumbs
1 egg yolk, beaten
2 tbsp water
1/4 c sliced almonds

Cheese Filling
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 c sugar
1 egg yolk
1 lemon zest

Directions
Add yeast to lukewarm (hot will kill the yeast)water and let stand until softened or dissolved, about 5 minutes.
Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
In a separate bowl, add salt to egg yolks and beat until thick; then add to sugar and butter mixture.
Add yeast and water, lemon rind, cinnamon and cardamom.
Add flour alternately with milk and beat well to make a smooth batter.
Add raisins and knead by hand until batter leaves the fingers.
Let rise in a warm draft free place until double (about 1-1/2 hours). Punch down and let rise again until double.
Generously butter a fluted tube pan. Sprinkle with fine bread crumbs and place 1/2 the dough in the prepared pan; place the filling mixture on the center of the dough, place the rest of the dough on the mixture. Try to pinch the dough together so filling is encased inside. Brush with mixture of egg yolk beaten with 2 tablespoons water. Sprinkle with almonds and let rise again. Bake in preheated 350 degrees F oven for 45-60 minutes.