Italian Almond Braid Recipe
This Italian Almond Braid is the best way in which you can wish merry Christmas to your folks ! The difference with this almond braid is that instead of the chopped nut pieces, braid is flavored with almond extract and topped with almond paste to get the real taste of the nuts out. Do try this Italian Almond Braid and feel free to express yourself here.
Ingredients
| Active dry yeast | 1/2 Tablespoon | |
| Warm water | 1/4 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Unsalted butter | 6 Tablespoon, softened | |
| Sugar | 2 Tablespoon | |
| Egg | 1 | |
| Salt | 1/4 Teaspoon | |
| Almond extract | 1/2 Teaspoon | |
| Flour | 2 1/2 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Almond paste | 1/4 Cup (16 tbs) (Topping) | |
| Egg white | 1 (Topping) | |
| Sugar | 1 Tablespoon (Topping) |
Directions
1 Dissolve yeast in warm water. Set aside for 5 minutes. Combine butter, sugar, egg, salt, and almond extract in mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly.
2 Add 1 1/2 cups flour and yeast mixture to butter mixture. Mix thoroughly.
3 Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth€”about 10 minutes.
4 Place in greased bowl, turning to coat top. Cover; let rise in warm place until double€”about 1 hour.
5 Punch down dough. Using mixer, beat almond paste, egg white, and sugar until smooth. Divide into 3 equal pieces and braid.
6 Place on greased baking sheet. Brush the topping on braid. Let rise in warm place until double€”about 30 minutes.
7 Bake in a preheated 350°F oven about 25-30 minutes or until done. Cool on wire rack.
2 Add 1 1/2 cups flour and yeast mixture to butter mixture. Mix thoroughly.
3 Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth€”about 10 minutes.
4 Place in greased bowl, turning to coat top. Cover; let rise in warm place until double€”about 1 hour.
5 Punch down dough. Using mixer, beat almond paste, egg white, and sugar until smooth. Divide into 3 equal pieces and braid.
6 Place on greased baking sheet. Brush the topping on braid. Let rise in warm place until double€”about 30 minutes.
7 Bake in a preheated 350°F oven about 25-30 minutes or until done. Cool on wire rack.
Chef
