Best Sweet Braided Loaf Recipes

SWEET BREAD (BRAIDED BREAD)

Steps:

• Combine milk and water in a heatproof bowl and heat in 30-second increments until mixture reaches a temperature between 105-115F (40-46C). Always stir before temping!
• Pour milk mixture into a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and stir in yeast and one teaspoon granulated sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes or until a foam cap has formed on the surface (if mixture does not foam you will need to start over).
• Once foamy, add remaining ⅓ cup sugar, melted butter, egg and egg yolk, salt, and 2 cups (250g) of flour and stir well to combine.
• Gradually add additional flour while stirring (if using a stand mixer use a dough hook on low-speed) until dough clings to itself and forms a ball that is pulling away from the sides of the bowl (scrape bowl as needed). You may not use all of the flour indicated, or you may even need more, go by texture (and see the video if you need visual clues)! When ready, the dough should be slightly tacky to the touch but not so sticky that it cant be managed with your bare hands.
• If using a stand mixer, stir on low speed with dough hook until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. If working by hand, transfer dough to a clean surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 5-10 minutes).
• Lightly oil a large bowl and place dough inside, turning to coat the entire surface lightly with oil. Cover and allow to rise in a warm draft-free place until doubled in size (1-2 hours).
• When dough has doubled, gently deflate and divide into 4 even pieces. Roll each into a 15" rope.

SWEET BRAIDED LOAF

Steps:

• 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of the flour, the sugar, salt and dry yeast. Heat milk and melted butter in a saucepan until the milk is warm (not hot.) Add the eggs and warm milk mixture to the flour mixture. Mix very well for 5 minutes using a wire whisk. Then add the remaining flour and mix with a wooden spoon until dough ingredients are evenly combined and stiff. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Form into a ball and place in a large buttered bowl. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set in a warm place. Allow dough to rise until doubled in bulk 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours
• 2. Punch dough down well. Divide into 3 equal portions and roll each portion into a thin cylinder, about 2 feet long. Braid them together and tuck ends under. Place braid on a large baking sheet that's been sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover loaf with buttered plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk (about 1 hour.) Remove plastic wrap, and brush with the egg white mixture. Sprinkle generously with the sesame seeds. Bake in 375 F. degree oven to 35 to 40 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped and the bread is a nice golden brown color.

SWEET BRAIDED LOAVES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, sugar, butter, eggs, salt and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Stir in raisins., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough into six portions. Shape each into a 12-in. rope. Place three ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Repeat with remaining ropes. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes., Brush with egg; sprinkle with almonds. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

SWEET BRAIDED BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Add yeast; let stand for 5 minutes.
• Add the canola oil, egg, salt and enough flour to form a soft dough. Knead for 5 minutes.
• Form dough into a smooth ball. Keeping the dough in the bowl, spray with non-stick spray and cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for 15-20 minutes.
• Punch down dough. Knead for 1 minute, then divide the dough into 3 same sized portions.
• Roll each out into long logs and set them up on the counter side by side.
• Braid the three pieces of bread together and then pinch together then end pieces and tuck them under the roll. Carefully place the loaf on the parchment paper lined baking sheet.
• Brush thoroughly with egg mixture and then sprinkle with the turbinado sugar.
• Let the loaf sit while oven is preheating to 350 degrees F, or about 10 minutes.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, until outside is golden brown and internal temperature of loaf registers 195-200 degrees. Let cool. Slice & enjoy with butter!

BRAIDED SWEET BREAD

Steps:

• Mix together water, warm milk, and yeast.
• Add melted margarine, sugar, salt and flour.
• Knead dough, place in bowl, cover and let rise in warm place 1 hour.
• Divide dough into 6 parts.
• Shape dough into 6 long pieces (length of baking sheet).
• On baking sheet, braid 3 of the pieces together like you would hair, then braid remaining 3 pieces together.
• Cover and let raise 1 more hour.
• Brush beaten egg on top and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.