Christmas Braid Recipe
Ingredients
| All purpose flour | 5 1/2 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Active dry yeast | 1 | |
| Milk | 2 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Sugar | 1/2 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Butter/Margarine | 6 Tablespoon | |
| Salt | 1 Teaspoon | |
| Egg | 1 | |
| Raisins | 1 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| 1 cup finely chopped mixed candied fruits and peels | ||
| 1/2 cup chopped Brazil nuts | ||
| Egg yolk | 1 | |
Directions
In large mixing bowl combine 3 cups of the flour and the yeast.
In saucepan heat together milk, sugar, butter or margarine, and salt just till warm (115° to 120°), stirring constantly.
Add to dry mixture in mixing bowl; add egg.
Beat at low speed of electric mixer for 1/2 minute, scraping sides of bowl constantly.
Beat 3 minutes at high speed.
Stir in raisins, candied fruits and peels, Brazil nuts, and enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough.
Turn out on floured surface.
Knead till smooth and elastic (8 to 10 minutes).
Place in greased bowl, turning once.
Cover; let rise in warm place till double (about 1 1/2 hours).
Divide dough into 3 portions.
Then divide each portion into thirds.
Roll each piece into a 15-inch rope.
Place 3 ropes on a greased baking sheet.
Braid.
Repeat with remaining ropes, forming 3 braids.
Cover and let rise in warm place till double (about 30 to 40 minutes).
Combine egg yolk and 1 tablespoon water; brush some over braids.
Bake at 350° for 10 minutes.
Brush with more egg yolk mixture.
Bake 10 minutes more.
Cover with foil; continue baking 5 minutes longer.
Cool.
In saucepan heat together milk, sugar, butter or margarine, and salt just till warm (115° to 120°), stirring constantly.
Add to dry mixture in mixing bowl; add egg.
Beat at low speed of electric mixer for 1/2 minute, scraping sides of bowl constantly.
Beat 3 minutes at high speed.
Stir in raisins, candied fruits and peels, Brazil nuts, and enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough.
Turn out on floured surface.
Knead till smooth and elastic (8 to 10 minutes).
Place in greased bowl, turning once.
Cover; let rise in warm place till double (about 1 1/2 hours).
Divide dough into 3 portions.
Then divide each portion into thirds.
Roll each piece into a 15-inch rope.
Place 3 ropes on a greased baking sheet.
Braid.
Repeat with remaining ropes, forming 3 braids.
Cover and let rise in warm place till double (about 30 to 40 minutes).
Combine egg yolk and 1 tablespoon water; brush some over braids.
Bake at 350° for 10 minutes.
Brush with more egg yolk mixture.
Bake 10 minutes more.
Cover with foil; continue baking 5 minutes longer.
Cool.
Chef
