Golden Eggnog Holiday Braid Food

CHRISTMAS EGGNOG BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. In a small bowl, whisk the egg, eggnog, applesauce and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in raisins and pecans. , Transfer to two 8x4-in. loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

CRANBERRY EGGNOG BRAID

Steps:

• 1. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of flour, sugar, salt, yeast and nutmeg; set aside. In a saucepan, heat eggnog and butter to 120-130 degrees (the butter doesn't need to melt all the way); add to flour mixture. Beat on low until moistened; beat on medium for 3 minutes. Stir in cranberries and enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; kneed 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 an hour. Punch dough down; divide into thirds. Shape each third into a 16-inch rope. Braid ropes on a greased baking sheet; seal ends. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden. Immediately remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
• 2. Combine the first three glaze ingredients; drizzle over braid. Dust with nutmeg. **commercially prepared eggnog extract