Italian Christmas Bread

1 1/4 cups Warm Water                                         1 pkg Active Dry Yeast
2 TBL Soft Shortening                                            2 tsp Salt
2 TBL Sugar                                                          3 cups Sifted Flour
1/4 cup Raisins                                                       1/4 cup Candied Fruit
1/4 cup Chopped Nuts                                           3/4 tsp Anis
1/4 tsp Vanilla

In Mixer bowl dissolve yeast in warm water. Add shortening, salt, sugar and half of the flour. Beat 2 minutes on medium speed or 300 strokes by hand (And Mom means, by hand. She used her hands quite frequently when mixing almost anything!!). Scrape sides and bottom of bowl frequently. Add remaining flour, fruit, nuts, flavorings and blend thoroughly with spoon. Scrape batter from sides of bowl. Cover with cloth and let rise in warm place about 85° until double, or about 30 minutes. Stir down batter by beating 25 strokes. Spread evenly into greased loaf pan. Again, let rise until batter reaches 1/4" from top, about 40 minutes. Bake at 375° for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from pan, let cool, then frost.