Best 2 French Bread Braids Recipes

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From simple braided loaves to intricate designs, French bread braids, also known as "pain tresse," offer a delicious and visually stunning addition to any bread basket. Mastering the art of braiding bread dough not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also creates pockets of air that result in a delightfully crispy crust and a soft, chewy interior. With a few basic ingredients, a dash of creativity, and some practice, you can impress your family and friends with this classic French bakery staple. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making French bread braids, providing step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure success in your baking endeavor.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

FRENCH BREAD BRAIDS



French Bread Braids image

My family and friends loves my bread and I love to make and bake breads and it is so easy to fix it. They are so good and tasty and moisture.

Provided by Lisa Johnson

Categories     Savory Breads

Time 4h20m

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 3/4-53/4 c all purpose flour
1 Tbsp sugar
3 tsp salt
2 pkg active dry yeast
2 c water
2 Tbsp shortening
1 Tbsp water
1 egg white

Steps:

  • 1. In large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast, mix well. In small saucepan, heat 2 cups water and shortening until very warm (120 to 130 F.). Add warm liquid to flour mixture, blend at low speed until moistened. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand, stir in an additional 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 cups flour to form a stiff dough. On floured surface, knead in 1/4 to 1/2 cup flour until dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place dough in greased bowl, cover loosely with greased plastic warp and cloth towel. Let rise in warm place (80 to 85 F.) until light and doubled in size, 45 to 60 minutes. Grease large cookie sheet. Punch down dough several times to remove all air bubbles. Divide dough in half, divide each half into 3 equal parts. Roll each part into 14-inch rope. Braid 3 ropes together, seal ends. Place on greased cookie sheet. Repeat with other half of dough. In small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon and egg white, beat sightly. Carefully brush over loaves. Cover, let rise in warm place until light and doubled in size, 20 to 30 minutes. Heat oven to 375 F. Uncover dough, brush loaves again with egg white mixture. Bake at 375 F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet, cool on wire racks for 1 hour or until completely cooled.

FRENCH BREAD BRAIDS



French Bread Braids image

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 3/4 to 5 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
3 teaspoons salt
2 packages active dry yeast
2 cups water
2 tablespoons shortening
1 tablespoon water
1 egg white

Steps:

  • 1. In large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast mix well. In small saucepan, heat 2 cups water and shortening until very warm (120 to 130°F.). Add warm liquid to flour mixture blend at low speed until moistened. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand, stir in an additional 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 cups flour to form a stiff dough.2. On floured surface, knead in 1/4 to 1/2 cup flour until dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place dough in greased bowl cover loosely with greased plastic wrap and cloth towel. Let rise in warm place (80 to 85°F.) until light and doubled in size, 45 to 60 minutes.3. Grease large cookie sheet. Punch down dough several times to remove all air bubbles. Divide dough in half divide each half into 3 equal parts. Roll each part into 14-inch rope. Braid 3 ropes together seal ends. Place on greased cookie sheet. Repeat with other half of dough.4. In small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon water and egg white beat slightly. Carefully brush over loaves. Cover let rise in warm place until light and doubled in size, 20 to 30 minutes.5. Heat oven to 375°F. Uncover dough brush loaves again with egg white mixture. Bake at 375°F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet cool on wire racks for 1 hour or until completely cooled.High Altitude (above 3500 feet): No change.Nutrition Information Per Serving: Serving Size: 1 Slice * Calories: 80 * Calories from Fat: 10 * % Daily Value: Total Fat: 1 g 2% * Saturated Fat: 0 g 0% * Cholesterol: 0 mg 0% * Sodium: 180 mg 8% * Total Carbohydrate: 16 g 5% * Dietary Fiber: 1 g 2% * Sugars: 1 g * Protein: 2 g * Vitamin A: 0% * Vitamin C: 0% * Calcium: 0% * Iron: 6% * Dietary Exchanges: 1 Starch or 1 CarbohydrateSee Cook's Note: Keep Rising Dough Covered, and Cook's Note: How to Braid Yeast Bread Dough

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves

Tips:

  • Use active dry yeast that is not expired. If you are unsure if your yeast is still good, you can test it by mixing it with warm water and sugar. If it starts to foam after a few minutes, it is still active and can be used.
  • Make sure your dough is kneaded well. The dough should be smooth and elastic, and it should not stick to your hands. If your dough is too sticky, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the right consistency.
  • Let your dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This will take about 1-2 hours, depending on the temperature of your kitchen. If you are short on time, you can place your dough in a warm oven (turned off) to help it rise faster.
  • When shaping your braids, make sure to tuck the ends under so that they don't come undone while baking. You can also brush the braids with melted butter or an egg wash before baking to give them a golden brown crust.
  • Bake your braids in a preheated oven until they are golden brown and cooked through. The baking time will vary depending on the size and shape of your braids, but it will typically take about 20-30 minutes.

Conclusion:

French bread braids are a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are perfect for special occasions or everyday meals, and they can be customized to your liking with different fillings and toppings. With a little practice, you can easily master the art of making French bread braids and impress your friends and family with your baking skills.

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