Basic Swedish Coffee Loaves

1. in food processor with metal knife in place, add yeast, butter, sugar, cardamom, salt and egg. Add 3 ½ cups flour; pulse to crumble butter and blend egg. Add raisins, water and then with motor running, add cooled milk through feed tube.
2. Process to form ball.
3. Add flour if necessary and process to form smooth and elastic dough, 50 seconds.
4. Punch down; divide in half.
5. Cut each half into 3 pieces.
6. Roll into long ropes.
7. Braid together for each loaf.
8. Place on baking sheets and let rise, covered, 45 minutes.
9. Brush with beaten egg and bake in 375f oven for 20 - 25 minutes.
10. Top with sugar and chopped almonds.