Braided Bread
Braided bread is a very simple, yet elegant way to make your ordinary bread look gorgeous. This sweet braided bread recipe will walk you through the step-by-step process of how you too can easily make braided bread and have it not only taste great but look fabulous as well. Check out the step-by-step instruction and video that will walk you through the process.
Beautiful Braided Bread Recipe
Braided bread is a fun and easy way to make your bread look and taste fabulous. We are so excited to share this recipe with you, as it is one of our all-time favorites. This sweet bread recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether you are celebrating a holiday, a family get-together, or want to make a delicious loaf of bread.
Our beautiful, braided bread recipe will walk you through the step-by-step process of how you can make a dough for your bread, how to let it rise, how to braid your bread, and finally how to decorate it after it is baked.
Everything you need to know, and more is included in this delicious bread recipe. Also, be sure to check out the video that will show you a visual of how you can actually make this delicious bread.
Braided Sweet Bread
Braided sweet bread is seriously the best homemade sweet bread you will ever make. You can decorate it in fun and easy ways, and it tastes just plain amazing. The bread is easy to prepare, but it looks like you slaved over it all day. If you want to impress anyone with your cooking skills, this recipe is the bomb!
Why Make This Bread
Braided bread is easy to make and tastes fabulous, but it is also very elegant and impressive to look at. If you want a beautiful addition to your table, this bread is the key. Everyone is going to want to know how you did it and know your secret.
This bread not only tastes like the best sweet bread you have ever had, but it is also fun and you can decorate it if desired. If you’re worried about braiding the bread never fear, there is a fun and easy way, and we will go over with you in the video how you can easily accomplish a beautiful braided bread.
Now, let’s turn our attention to what you will need in order to make this fabulous sweet bread. There are only a few ingredients you will need from around the house. Then, we will take a step-by-step walk-through of the process of making this bread.
Homemade Braided Bread Loaf Recipe
Braided Sweet Bread Ingredients
1 1/4 cup warm milk
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp sea salt
2 Tbsp yeast
2 large eggs
1/3 cup melted butter
4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
How to Make Braided Sweet Bread
To make the dough:
In a stand mixer, mix together lukewarm milk, granulated sugar, and salt. Add in yeast. Stir just until combined, then allow to rest for 6 minutes, or until your mixture turns frothy.
Stir in eggs and melted butter. Mix to combine. Add in all-purpose flour until your dough sticks together. Kneed for a minute or two.
Coat a clean bowl lightly in oil, add your bread dough to the bowl, then cover it with a damp cloth. Place your bread dough into a warm, dry location. Allow it to rise until it doubles in size (this may take about 2 hours).
To braid the dough:
After your bread dough has risen, punch the dough down, and then kneed into a ball. Divide the ball into four even sized pieces. Take three out of the four pieces of dough and roll them into long, even shapes, like breadsticks.
How to braid bread
Line the three longs of bread dough up beside each other. Start in the center and begin braiding to the end. Pinch the end together and tuck it underneath. Repeat the process with the remaining side.
Lightly grease a baking sheet and place the braided bread on top.
Next, take your remaining section of dough, and divide it into three even sections. Roll the sections into long pieces of dough. Braid the dough together and tuck the ends under.
Place the smaller braid on top of the larger loaf of bread. Cover them with your damp cloth and allow them to rise for 45-60 minutes or until your braided bread loaf is double in size.
To bake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Bake your loaf of bread for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Egg Wash
In a small mixing bowl, whisk one large egg with 1 teaspoon of water. Brush the egg wash all over your loaf of bread.
Place the bread back into the oven and bake for another 6-8 minutes. Remove the bread from the oven, and allow it to fully cool.
Optional Toppings
After your braided bread has fully cooled, you can top your loaf of bread with an optional drizzle of frosting by mixing powdered sugar and a little bit of milk together until it reaches your desired consistency.
You can also top your bread with cherries, pecans, or walnuts if you wish. These add a lovely decoration to your bread.
Optional Bread Dough Add-Ins
If you are looking to mix things up a little more with your bread, you can also try mixing into your bread dough ingredients like raisins, dried cranberries, lemon zest, orange zest, or even nuts.
These add-ins are optional, but they spice up your bread and make it even more lively, elegant, delicious, and fun!
Braided Egg Bread
Adding an egg wash to your sweet bread is optional, but it will give you a lovely glossy finish to your loaf of bread, that you otherwise wouldn’t have. We highly recommend including the egg wash for the best braided bread both in looks and taste.
Tips for Making This Braided Bread Recipe
Baking Sheet. Unlike other kinds of bread, we highly recommend that you use a baking sheet or cookie sheet to bake your loaf of bread on. This allows you to get the full, beautiful effect of the braided loaf. If you do not have one, you can use a bread pan, however, you will not get the full effect from the braid with that kind of pan.
Toppings. Adding toppings to your loaf of braided bread is optional, however, we highly recommend it. Some topping ideas include drizzled frosting, cherries, pecans, walnuts, cranberries, or sprinkled sugar in the egg wash.
Allow The Yeast Time. Allowing the yeast time to froth at the beginning of your bread dough creation is an important step that you don’t want to skip. And you will also want to be sure to allow at least two different rise times for your braided bread to turn out perfectly.
Rise Location & Temperature. The rise location of your bread dough is also important. For the best results, you want to place your bread dough in a warm and dry location. Ideally, the temperature should be around 80 or 85°F. If you are unsure how to achieve this, a great place is inside of your oven, with the door closed, and your oven off.
How can you tell when the bread is fully baked?
The best way to tell if your bread is fully baked is to use a toothpick. Insert the toothpick into the center of your bread loaf, in a couple of different places. If your toothpick comes out clean, your bread is fully baked.
Storage Instructions
The best way to store your braided bread is to place it into an air-tight container and store the bread at room temperature. You want your bread to be cooled, when placed into the air-tight container, then it will keep your bread nice and prevent it from drying out.
Substitutions and Variations
Stuffed and Braided Bread
Not only can you enjoy your bread as we have outlined above, but you can also stuff your braided bread with your desired fillings if you want. Some good fillings include raspberry jam or pie filling, apple pie filling, cherry pie filling, or even strawberry jam or pie filling.
Raspberry Braided Bread Recipe
To make filled braided bread, you will want to roll your bread dough flat, then take a pizza cutter and cut approximately one-inch-wide strips, leaving the center solid bread dough.
Add your filling in the center, then take the slits of bread dough on each side and fold it over your filling. Cover and allow the bread dough to rise before baking.
Braided Bread Perfection
Braided bread is the ultimate perfection. Not only is this what makes bread taste amazing, but it is awesome and gorgeous to look at. No matter what occasion you are looking to make bread for, this braided bread recipe is going to be perfect for you. We hope that you will love it as much as we do!
Why I love this Braided Bread?
We absolutely love this braided bread recipe because it is very simple to make, and tastes amazing once it is completely baked and assembled. Not only does it taste delicious, but it also is very beautiful to look at. We have made this for many different occasions over the years, and everyone loves it.
Braided Bread
Braided bread is surprisingly easy to make, simple to braid, and tastes delicious. You can decorate it any way you wish, or not at all. Give this delicious, braided bread recipe a try today, and let us know how much you love it!
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Additional Recipe Ideas you Might Enjoy:
Braided Bread Recipe
Braided Bread
Ingredients
- 1¼ cup warm milk
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 2 Tbsp yeast (heaping tablespoon)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
Optional Add-Ins
- raisins
- dried cranberries
- orange zest
- lemon zest
Optional Toppings
- drizzle frosting made from powdered sugar and milk
- cherries
- pecans
- walnuts
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp water
Instructions
To make the dough:
- In a stand mixer, mix together lukewarm milk, granulated sugar, and salt. Add in yeast. Stir just until combined, then allow to rest for 6 minutes, or until your mixture turns frothy.
- Stir in eggs and melted butter. Mix to combine. Add in all-purpose flour until your dough sticks together. Kneed for a minute or two.
- Coat a clean bowl lightly in oil, add your bread dough to the bowl, then cover it with a damp cloth. Place your bread dough into a warm, dry location. Allow it to rise until it doubles in size (this may take about 2 hours).
To braid the dough:
- After your bread dough has risen, punch the dough down, and then kneed into a ball. Divide the ball into four even sized pieces. Take three out of the four pieces of dough and roll them into long, even shapes, like breadsticks.
- Line the three longs of bread dough up beside each other. Start in the center and begin braiding to the end. Pinch the end together and tuck it underneath. Repeat the process with the remaining side.
- Lightly grease a baking sheet and place the braided bread on top.
- Next, take your remaining section of dough, and divide it into three even sections. Roll the sections into long pieces of dough. Braid the dough together and tuck the ends under.
- Place the smaller braid on top of the larger braided bread. Cover them with your damp cloth and allow them to rise for 45-60 minutes or until your braided bread loaf is double in size.
To bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Bake your braided bread for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Egg Wash
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk one large egg with 1 teaspoon of water. Brush the egg wash all over your loaf of bread.
- Place the braided bread back into the oven and bake for another 6-8 minutes. Remove the bread from the oven, and allow it to fully cool.
Optional Toppings
- After your braided bread has fully cooled, you can top your loaf of bread with an optional drizzle of frosting by mixing powdered sugar and a little bit of milk together until it reaches your desired consistency.
- You can also top your bread with cherries, pecans, or walnuts if you wish. These had a lovely decoration to your bread.
Optional Bread Dough Add-Ins
- If you are looking to mix things up a little more with your braided bread, you can also try mixing into your bread dough ingredients like raisins, dried cranberries, lemon zest, orange zest, or even nuts.
- These add-ins are optional, but they spice up your bread and make it even more lively, elegant, delicious, and fun!
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