This plaited, attractive loaf that is enriched with butter and egg is not as complicated as it looks. It has a sweet filling and a glossy dark- brown crust. I wanted to try this stunning bread the minute I saw it in my baking book but somehow it didn’t happen until yesterday. You can choose any filling you like and try this to impress the crowd, be it kids, friends or family! I am sure everyone of them will enjoy this bread as much as me and my hubby did. Enjoy and have fun baking.
Ingredients( Makes 1 loaf)
- Plain flour / maida – Around 2.5 – 3 cups
- Active dry yeast – 2 1/4 tsp or 1 packet
- Lukewarm water – Around1/4 cup
- Lukewarm milk – Around 1/4 cup
- Caster sugar – 1/4 cup
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- Egg – 1
- Butter – 1/4 cup, at room temperature
- Egg – 1 beaten with 2 tsp water, for glazing
For the filling
- Cooked prunes* – Around 1 cup
- Lemon or orange rind – 2 tsp, grated
- Freshly grated nutmeg – 1/4 tsp
- Butter – 1 1/2 oz (45 g), at room temperature
- Finely chopped walnuts – 1/2 cup
- Caster sugar – 2 tbsp
*I did not have prunes, orange, lemon rind etc. I used 1/2 cup roughly chopped dates, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup raisins and 2 tbsp sugar (crushed all of them in a mixie) and combined the crushed mixture with 3 tbsp softened butter.
Method
1. In a large bowl, combine the yeast and water, stir and leave for 15 mts to dissolve.
2. Add in the milk, sugar, salt, egg and butter. Gradually stir in the flour to obtain a soft dough. (I transferred all these ingredients to the food processor bowl and made the dough. Then I transferred the dough to a floured surface and kneaded the dough for a few minutes).
3. Transfer to a floured surface and knead in just enough flour to obtain a dough that is smooth and elastic. Put into a clean bowl, cover and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 1/2 hrs.
4. Meanwhile, for the filling, in a bowl combine the prunes, lemon and orange rinds, nutmeg, butter, walnuts and sugar and stir together to blend. Set aside. I did not have prunes with me so I just crushed 1/2 cup walnuts, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup dates and 2 tbsp sugar in the mixer, combined it with the softened butter and used it as the filling).
5. Grease a large baking sheet. Punch down the dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Knead briefly, then roll out into a 15 x 10 inch (38 x 25 cm) rectangle. Carefully transfer to the baking sheet.
6. Spread the filling in the center of the rolled dough.
7. With a sharp knife, cut around 8 – 10 strips at an angle on either side of the filling, cutting just to the filling. You will need equal count of strips on both sides.
8. For a plaited pattern, fold up one end neatly, then fold over the strip from the alternating side, repeat until all the strips are folded over. Tuck excess dough underneath at the ends.
9. Cover it loosely with a towel and leave to rise in a warm place until almost doubled in volume. I kept it for around 15 – 20 mts since my bread had already begun to rise while I plaited it.
10. Preheat a 375 F/ 190 C / Gas 5 oven. Brush with the egg glaze. Bake until browned, about 30 minutes. (You can cover it loosely with an aluminum foil after 15 – 20 mts otherwise the crust will turn deep brown). Transfer to a rack to cool. Slice and enjoy!!
Recipe Courtesy – Adapted from Baking by Martha Day
Super plaited bread Maya..Looking so so good…adipoli adipoli
Love
Suji
truly inviting plaited bread…gorgeous
superb!!! mindblowing presentation… OMG!!! wat to say.. no words dear.. u have done agood job…perfect plaited bread… quick and simple and the filling is s o delicious and mouthwatering
Wow, that looks gorgeous, i mean too beautiful to eat. Love it and love your step by step pics 🙂
Thank you so much for sending this attractive braided sweet bread to my event, looks so good. I can have this bread instead of my dinner:-)
that looks really nice…
Really good…:)
wow its really awesome…u did it so perfectly …
bookmarked …will surely try this
Satya
http://www.superyummyrecipes.com
that looks stunning..sooo perfect!
mayalakshmi thats a very delicious looking plated bread really liked the plaiting and very nicely explained with pics good one
That looks so yummy.Great work maya:)
looks so lovely…done it so perfectly
Wow that looks stunning and the finish is just exotic dearie..
hi, i am pleased to present you with an award that’s waiting on my blog.
i really took time to read it. now is bookmarked. will make it soon and let you know the outcome. rgds abraham
What a great idea, i love the bread and it looks so beautiful:)
You bake so well! The prune loaf looks delectable.
അടിപൊളി !!! കല്യാണിക്കുട്ടിക്ക് control തരണേ ഈശ്വരാ …..
thats an incredibly neatly finished bread. awesome work, great recipe and very well written post. love the pictorial. great work Maya.
Looks very professional..way to go yummy team..
Your plaited bread is beautiful. What a nice technique!!
The plaited bread looks heavenly and very eye-cathing with that simple yet elegant presentation. great job dear 🙂
Fantastic! Im speechless..and drooling!!!
Wow so yuumy aand delicious bread…
So perfect and beautiful clicks.
A perfect loaf!! It looks so pretty and delicious. I think I can eat the whole loaf 😛 Home baked bread is always the best!
Wow… Great one.. Just posted the stuffed buns rented from your blog.. Here comes the next one to bookmark.
Woow…thats just super….and so perfect….
Wow!!!the bread looks yummy but at the same time too gorgeous to cut and eat the beauty:). And…….. This braided bread taking the chef to professional baker level!!!
Will try it soon but wonder if my braids will come out that perfect.
WOW WOW WOW WOW…. its just awesome nd luks so proff 🙂
The bread looks so perfect & beautiful! Good one!
Wow Maya..adipoli.
looks awesome and perfect braids
Thank You all for your lovely words 🙂
@ Biji,
Braiding is a very simple technique..I am sure you will do better 🙂
Love those pretty looking braids. Looks so inviting.
Looks like a great braided bread! Love the filling too!
ohhhh…that is so cute! really really thanks for sharing the recipe!
very well made braid !! how do u do it ?! i am simply awed..
Cooked to perfection delicious and mouthwatering.
hi. The braided bread looks stunningly beautiful and very well explained. I will be more than happy to receive it for my event too as it’s perfect for kids.
FOODELICIOUS
Super plaited bread .I could not take my eyes off it .Great work .
Thanks for the plaited bread recipe. I made it and it was very nice. Thanks a lot. Sandhya.
Sandhya,
Really happy to know that you liked this bread. Thanks a ton for your feedback..