Braided Bread Food

A SIMPLE BRAIDED BREAD

Steps:

• Thaw frozen bread until it can be cut in half (lengthwise) with a sharp knife, but has not started to rise.
• Take the halves and roll them out to about 16 inches in length and about 1 inch in diameter. The length and width are not that important, but they should all be the same length and width.
• Braid 3 of the halves together to make 2 loaves. Tuck the ends under so they will stay together and not burn.
• Place the loaves on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray and coated with corn meal. The corn meal is not necessary but addes that homemade look.
• Brush the egg wash on the bread and sprinkle with the poppy or sesame seeds.
• Let rise until double in size (Appr. 45 min.).
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Place loaves in the center of the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bread tapped sounds hollow. Option--at the end of 15 minutes turn the bread around. This insures even browning.
• Remove the bread from the baking sheet and cool on a wire rack.
• Note: I make this bread at Christmas time and give them to friends along with homemade cookies and candy.

BRAIDED BREAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine 5 cups flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Heat water, butter and honey to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat on medium speed. Separate one egg; refrigerate the egg white. Add egg yolk and remaining eggs to yeast mixture; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down and divide in half. Divide each portion into thirds; shape each into a rope about 18 in. long. Sprinkle two greased baking sheets with cornmeal; place three ropes on each baking sheet and braid. Pinch ends firmly and tuck under. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 45 minutes., Beat cold water and reserved egg white; brush over the dough. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds. Bake at 375° for 18-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pans to wire racks.

BRAIDED BREAD WREATH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment and sprinkle with a thin layer of cornmeal.
• On a floured work surface, roll out the 3 dough portions into 3 long ropes. Line the 3 ropes up next to each other with the top ends overlapping and the bottom ends about 3 inches apart. Pinch the top ends. Braid the ropes together; pull the left section over to the center, then hold the old center section with your left hand and pull it to the side. Finally, bring the right section over the center. Repeat the process, alternating sides, until the entire length of bread is braided. Join both ends to form a round wreath.
• Transfer the dough wreath to the parchment lined sheet pan. Dust with flour, and cover with a kitchen towel. Let proof in a warm spot for 45 minutes.
• In a small bowl mix together the olive oil, garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, and cheese. Set aside. Beat the egg with the water in a small bowl, and set aside
• Bake the bread wreath in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Remove the bread from the oven, and brush it with the olive oil mixture. Put it back in the oven, and bake it for an additional 20 minutes. In the last 10 minutes of baking, coat the entire wreath with the egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt. Remove from the oven and serve hot.

PIZZA BRAID

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Combine the tomato sauce, basil, oregano, garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe bowl and stir until smooth. Microwave the sauce, stirring halfway through, until hot, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• Put the pizza dough on a lightly floured work surface and roll into a 10-by-14-inch rectangle. Spread 3 tablespoons of the pizza sauce evenly over the dough and sprinkle with the mozzarella and pepperoni pieces.
• Working from one long side, roll up the rectangle like a jelly roll and position it seam-side down on a cutting board. Use a paring knife to trim the ends of the dough log, then cut the log in half lengthwise. Lay the 2 halves cut-side up next to each other and twist them together into a tight loaf about 12 inches long.
• Transfer the twisted dough to the prepared baking sheet and brush gently all over with the egg mixture. Bake until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted in the center, 30 to 32 minutes. Transfer the braid to a cutting board, cut into slices and serve with the remaining pizza sauce for dipping.

CHEESE BRAIDED BREAD

Steps:

• Mix 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, sugar and yeast in a large bowl.
• Combine yogurt, 1/2 cup water and butter in a saucepan; heat over low heat until warm.
• Gradually add to dry ingredients and beat for two minutes at medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Reserve 1 tablespoon beaten egg for topping; add remaining eggs, 1 cup flour and 1 1/2 cups cheese.
• Beat on high for two minutes.
• Stir in enough additional flour to make a stiff dough.
• Turn out on lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic, about ten minutes.
• Put in a greased bowl, turning to grease top of dough; cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about an hour).
• Punch down; divide dough in half.
• Divide each half into three pieces and shape each piece into a 12" rope.
• Braid the three ropes together and pinch ends together to seal; repeat with the second loaf.
• Place loaves into a greased 9 x 5" loaf pan, cover and let rise until doubled.
• Combine reserved egg and milk; brush over loaves.
• Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake in a preheated 375F oven 30 minutes or until done.
• Remove from pans and cool on racks.

BRAIDED ITALIAN HERB BREAD

Steps:

• Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, basil, salt, oregano, garlic powder, and rosemary in a large bowl.
• Combine milk, water, and butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat in a microwave until butter melts, about 30 seconds. Pour over the flour mixture; beat until dough is just moistened. Add egg; beat until smooth. Stir in remaining 3 cups flour to form a soft dough.
• Turn dough onto a floured surface such as a large cutting board or countertop. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Divide dough into thirds. Shape each piece into a 15-inch rope. Transfer ropes to a greased baking sheet. Braid together. Pinch ends to seal; tuck under the braid. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 25 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Brush top of the braid with olive oil and sprinkle with basil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet, or remove to a wire rack.