Soften yeast in 1/2 cup of the water. Mix milk, water, eggs, sugar, margarine, salt and cardamom. Add 2 cups of flour and beat until smooth. Add softened yeast and mix. Add remaining flour until a stiff dough is formed. Knead till smooth and satiny for seven to ten minutes adding flour as necessary. Let rise covered with a damp cloth until light and doubled. Punch down and cover and let rise again till almost doubled. Divide and let rest covered for 10 minutes. Form braids. Bake at 325 degrees until golden brown and then brush with mixture of strong coffee and sugar twice. Sprinkle with sugar or sugar crystals.
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