Sweet Braided Easter Bread Recipe

Ingredients

Sweet Breadcrumbs: 1 cup

The ingredients for this sweet braided Easter bread recipe include a variety of components that come together to create a delicious and visually appealing final product.

1 cup Sweet Breadcrumbs: These breadcrumbs are an essential component of the dough, providing structure and texture to the finished bread. To make them from scratch, you will need milk, butter, sugar, and flour.

To start making sweet breadcrumbs, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder. Then, cut 1/4 cup of cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender or your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs.

In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of milk, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Add this wet mixture to the flour-butter mixture and stir until everything is well combined.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. After it’s chilled, transfer the mixture to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spreading it evenly to form a flat surface. Bake in your preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.

Once the sweet breadcrumbs are ready, let them cool completely on the baking sheet before using them in the braided Easter bread recipe.

Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: 1 tsp sugar, 0.5 tsp cinnamon

The sweet braided Easter bread recipe calls for a special ingredient known as the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture, which adds an extra layer of flavor and aroma to the traditional sweet bread.

This mixture consists of two key components: sugar and cinnamon. The ratio of these ingredients is carefully balanced to create a delightful combination that will tantalize your taste buds.

The first component is granulated sugar, which provides a sweet and subtle base for the mixture. A single teaspoon of sugar is the recommended amount, allowing just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the other flavors in the bread.

The second component is ground cinnamon, an essential spice that adds warmth, depth, and a hint of mystery to the bread. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon is the perfect complement to the sugar, creating a harmonious balance between sweet and spicy notes.

When combined, the sugar and cinnamon form a fragrant mixture that will fill your kitchen with the aroma of freshly baked sweet bread. This Cinnamon Sugar Mixture will not only enhance the flavor but also add a beautiful golden brown color to the crust of the braided Easter bread.

The art of combining these two ingredients is an ancient practice, dating back centuries in many Eastern European countries where this traditional recipe originated. The use of cinnamon and sugar as a sweetener is a testament to the resourcefulness and creativity of bakers from times past who experimented with spices and sugars to create unique flavors.

In modern times, the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture remains an integral component of the Sweet Braided Easter Bread Recipe. It adds a distinctive touch that sets this bread apart from other sweet breads, making it an irresistible treat for family gatherings, holiday meals, or everyday breakfast or snacktime.

Eggs: 2 large eggs

The two ingredients listed as *Eggs* are crucial in this Sweet Braided Easter Bread recipe, serving multiple purposes.

One large egg contains approximately 50% protein by weight, making it an excellent ingredient for structure and richness in baked goods like bread.

The other large egg has similar properties and uses in baking, providing moisture, tenderness, and emulsification capabilities to the final product.

**Properties of Eggs:**

* **Protein:** Makes up about 50% of an egg’s weight, essential for structure, richness, and texture.
* **Moisture content**: Contributes to the bread’s overall humidity and tenderness.
* **Emulsification:** Allows eggs to bind oil and water-based ingredients together.

In this Sweet Braided Easter Bread recipe, the eggs will help create a tender crumb and add moisture to balance out the sugar and butter. When beating the eggs with sugar and vanilla extract, they become an essential component of the bread’s overall flavor profile and structure.

Instructions

Mix Sweet Breadcrumbs and Cinnamon Sugar Mixture.

To create the sweet breadcrumb mixture for our Sweet Braided Easter Bread Recipe, you will need to combine two distinct components: sweet breadcrumbs and cinnamon sugar mixture.

The first step involves making the sweet breadcrumbs. To do this, start by taking 1/4 cup of granulated white sugar and placing it in a medium-sized bowl. Next, add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, softened to a spreadable consistency. Use your fingers or a pastry blender to work the butter into the sugar until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Once you have the sweet breadcrumb mixture prepared, move on to making the cinnamon sugar mixture. In a separate small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of granulated white sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Mix these ingredients together until they are well combined and evenly distributed.

To mix the two components together, place the cinnamon sugar mixture into the bowl with the sweet breadcrumbs. Use your fingers or a pastry blender to gently fold the cinnamon sugar mixture into the sweet breadcrumbs. Be careful not to overmix the two components, as this can cause the mixture to become dense and lose its texture.

The resulting mixture should be evenly distributed and retain a light, fluffy consistency. You will use this sweet breadcrumb mixture in the Sweet Braided Easter Bread Recipe to create the sweet, crunchy topping on your bread.

Knead the Dough: Combine flour, yeast, salt, sugar, eggs, butter, and warm milk in a mixing bowl. Knead for 10 minutes.

The art of kneading dough is an essential step in bread-making, and it requires a bit of technique and patience to get it just right. In the context of our Sweet Braided Easter Bread Recipe, kneading the dough is crucial for developing the gluten in the flour, which will give our bread its structure and texture.

To start kneading your dough, you’ll want to combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. This includes flour, yeast, salt, sugar, eggs, butter, and warm milk. It’s essential to use room temperature ingredients, especially the eggs and butter, as this will help the yeast activate more efficiently.

Once all your ingredients are in the bowl, it’s time to mix them together until a shaggy dough forms. You can do this using an electric mixer or by doing it manually with a wooden spoon or a stand mixer. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as this can lead to a dense and tough bread.

After mixing the ingredients together, you’ll want to knead the dough for about 10 minutes. Kneading helps to develop the gluten in the flour, which will give your bread its chewy texture and make it easier to shape. There are two main techniques involved in kneading: pushing down on the dough with the heel of your hand, and folding the dough back up onto itself.

Here’s how you can knead the dough effectively: Start by placing the dough on a lightly floured surface, such as a wooden cutting board or a silicone mat. Use the heel of your hand to push down on the center of the dough, then fold it back up onto itself, using a gentle folding motion. Repeat this process for about 10 minutes, working your way through the entire ball of dough.

As you knead the dough, pay attention to its consistency and texture. If it becomes too sticky, add a bit more flour to absorb some of the excess moisture. If it starts to develop a rough or cracked surface, this could be a sign that it’s overworked – simply stop kneading immediately and let the dough rest for 10-15 minutes before continuing.

After kneading the dough for about 10 minutes, you should start to notice a significant change in its texture and consistency. It will begin to feel more elastic and pliable, and it may even start to develop a subtle sheen or shine on its surface. This is a great sign that your dough is developing properly and will result in a delicious and tender Easter bread.

Once you’ve finished kneading the dough, shape it into a ball and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before dividing it into smaller portions for braiding. Remember to keep an eye on your dough at all times, as it can quickly go from perfectly pliable to overworked or even collapse if left unattended.

With practice and patience, you should be able to achieve a beautifully kneaded dough that will result in a delicious and tender Sweet Braided Easter Bread. Good luck!

Shape and Bake

Braid the Dough: Divide dough into three equal pieces and braid together.

The shape and bake, braid the dough process is an essential step in creating a beautifully braided sweet Easter bread.

To begin with, it’s crucial to ensure that your dough has been kneaded adequately and allowed sufficient time to rest, allowing the yeast to activate and the gluten to develop. This will result in a smooth and pliable dough that can be easily shaped into a beautiful braid.

Next, divide the dough into three equal pieces. You can do this by cutting the dough in half lengthwise, and then cutting each of those halves in half again, creating six equal pieces. Alternatively, you can also use a kitchen scale to weigh out 1/3 of the dough for each braid.

Once you have your three equal pieces of dough, gently stretch and shape them into long ropes, about the same thickness as your index finger. Make sure to handle the dough gently at this stage, as over-working can cause it to become tough and dense.

To create a beautiful braid, cross one rope over the other, forming an “X” shape. Then, take the bottom rope and pass it under the middle rope, and then bring it up and over the top rope. This will start to form the first loop of your braid.

Repeat this process with each of the three ropes, moving them in a clockwise direction around the center point of the braid. Make sure to keep an even tension on the dough as you braid, so that it doesn’t become too loose or too tight.

As you continue braiding, gently tuck any excess dough under the loaf, and make sure the ends are secure. You can also use a little bit of water to help hold the ends in place, if needed.

Place your braided loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 1 inch of space between each loaf. Cover it with plastic wrap or a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for another 30-45 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the tops of the loaves with egg wash, and bake them for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown. You can also add some additional toppings such as sesame seeds or poppy seeds before baking, if desired.

Once the bread is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your beautifully braided sweet Easter bread!

Bake at 375°F (190°C): Place braided bread on baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

To achieve a perfect golden-brown finish and a deliciously soft texture, it’s essential to shape and bake the braided bread with precision.

Step 1: Shaping the Braided Bread

Begin by gently placing the braided dough onto a lightly floured surface. This will prevent the dough from sticking and make it easier to handle.

Use your fingers or a rolling pin to shape the dough into a long, thin rectangle. The size of the rectangle may vary depending on how large you want your finished bread to be.

Once you have achieved the desired shape, use a sharp knife or a pastry cutter to create a smooth edge along one of the longer sides of the dough. This will help prevent the braids from unraveling during baking.

Step 2: Brushing with Egg Wash

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This will ensure that the bread releases easily once it’s done baking.

Next, prepare an egg wash by beating one large egg in a small bowl until it’s well mixed. Brush the egg wash evenly over the surface of the braided dough, making sure to get both sides and all corners.

Step 3: Baking the Braided Bread

Place the braided bread on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about an inch of space between each loaf. You can bake multiple loaves at once if you have enough room in your oven.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Keep an eye on the bread during this time as it bakes, as overcooking can cause the crust to become too dark.

Tips for Perfect Braided Easter Bread

• Make sure to not overmix the dough during the shaping process, as this can lead to a dense and tough texture.

• If you’re having trouble getting the braids to hold their shape, try using a bit more egg wash or gently twisting the strands together before baking.

• To ensure even browning, rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking time. This will help distribute the heat evenly and prevent hotspots.