Best Braided French Loaf Recipes

BRAIDED FRENCH LOAF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray braided loaf pan with cooking spray. Remove dough from cans. Completely unroll 1 can of dough; wrap around second loaf and press edges to seal. Place loaf, seam side up, in pan.
• Bake 32 to 36 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to cooling rack, placing braid side up. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top of loaf. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

"OLD RELIABLE" FRENCH BREAD (FOR KITCHEN AID MIXERS)

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in warm water in warmed mixer bowl.
• Add salt, butter, and flour.
• Attach bowl& dough hook to mixer, turn to Speed 2 and mix about 1 minute or until well blended.
• Knead on Speed 2 about 2 minutes longer.
• Dough will be sticky.
• Put dough in large greased bowl, turning to coat.
• Cover and let rise in warm place, free from draft, about 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.
• Punch dough down and divide in half.
• Roll each half into 12" x 15" rectangle.
• Roll dough tightly, from longest side, tapering ends, if needed/wanted.
• Put loaves on greased baking sheets that have been dusted with cornmeal.
• Cover and let rise in warm place, free from draft, about 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.
• With sharp knife, make 4 diagonal cuts on top of each loaf.
• Bake at 450F for 25 minutes, then remove from oven.
• Beat egg white and water together and brush each loaf with this mix.
• Return to the oven and bake 5 minutes longer.
• Immediately remove from baking sheets and cool on wire racks.
• Serve with your favorite spread such as herbed butter, garlic bread topping, etc.

FRENCH BREAD BRAIDS

Steps:

• 1. In large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast, mix well. In small saucepan, heat 2 cups water and shortening until very warm (120 to 130 F.). Add warm liquid to flour mixture, blend at low speed until moistened. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand, stir in an additional 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 cups flour to form a stiff dough. On floured surface, knead in 1/4 to 1/2 cup flour until dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place dough in greased bowl, cover loosely with greased plastic warp and cloth towel. Let rise in warm place (80 to 85 F.) until light and doubled in size, 45 to 60 minutes. Grease large cookie sheet. Punch down dough several times to remove all air bubbles. Divide dough in half, divide each half into 3 equal parts. Roll each part into 14-inch rope. Braid 3 ropes together, seal ends. Place on greased cookie sheet. Repeat with other half of dough. In small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon and egg white, beat sightly. Carefully brush over loaves. Cover, let rise in warm place until light and doubled in size, 20 to 30 minutes. Heat oven to 375 F. Uncover dough, brush loaves again with egg white mixture. Bake at 375 F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet, cool on wire racks for 1 hour or until completely cooled.