Description
This soft and slightly sweet braided bread is a showstopping homemade loaf that’s easier than it looks. Fluffy, golden, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp + 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg + 1 yolk (reserve white)
- 2 tsp salt
- 4–5 cups bread or all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp coarse or granulated sugar for topping
Instructions
- Heat milk and water to 105–115°F. Stir in yeast and 1 tsp sugar. Let sit until foamy (5–10 minutes).
- Add remaining sugar, melted butter, egg + yolk, and salt. Stir in 2 cups flour.
- Gradually mix in more flour until dough forms and pulls away from sides.
- Knead until smooth and elastic (5–10 mins). Place in oiled bowl, cover, and let rise 1–2 hours.
- Punch down dough, divide into 4 ropes, and braid from center outward. Tuck ends.
- Cover and let rise 30–40 mins. Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Brush with reserved egg white, sprinkle sugar. Bake 18–22 mins or until golden and 190°F inside.
- Cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
Use bread flour for a chewier texture.
Add raisins, cinnamon, or glaze for variation.
Leftovers make great French toast.
Freezes well up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 427
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 406mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 28mg