For the Osterkulitsch, stir crumbled yeast with lukewarm milk (or whipped cream) and half of the flour to a damp and let rise well in a warm place.
Add the remaining ingredients and knead with your hands until the dough bubbles. Let rise again for about 2 hours.
Butter high, round molds and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Fill half full with dough and let rise again (the fom should be 3/4 full).
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Brush the top of the dough with egg yolk if desired and bake for 50-60 minutes, depending on the size of the pan. Do not open the oven for the first 20 minutes.
Glaze the finished Easter kulitsch and let cool.