CHRISTMAS BRAID (YEAST BREAD)

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Christmas Braid (Yeast Bread) image

This is an bread recipe that has been passed through the generations and every person has their own version of it. My mom makes it. I make it, My daughters make it and everyone makes it differently but it's always delicious. The picture is one of mine I made last Christmas season ( I normally make many during the holiday...

Provided by Deb S.

Categories     Other Desserts

Time 3h45m

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 pkg dry active yeast
1 c warm water (105-115 degrees)
1 c luke warm milk
2/3 c butter or margarine (softened)
2/3 c sugar
2 tsp salt
2 eggs
6-8 c all purpose flour (don't use all at once)
FILLING AND TOPPING
1 1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c cinnamon
1 c chopped walnuts (optional)
1 bottle maraschino cherries (large)
GLAZE
1-2 c confectioners sugar
1/4 c milk
2 tsp of cherry juice or more or less to your liking

Steps:

  • 1. Disolve yeast in warm water, stir in milk, sugar, butter, egg, salt and 2 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in more flour to make dough plyable/easy to handle. Turn into greased bowl, Cover and put on top of stove to rise. Let rise 1.5 hours (until nearly double in size) Punch down, kneed again. Put back in bowl to rise another 1/2 hour or so. Turn out onto Floured area. Cut dough into halves or Thirds (I do halves) Each half gets split into thirds to roll out. Roll out each section, Spread butter, brown suger, walnuts. Roll up, place on (good insulated cookie sheet or baking sheet) don't want the bottom to burn or get too brown.) You place each of the three sections on a baking sheet and braid them together or make a design you feel confortable with. Once you have braided them make sure the ends are closed off..and bake the alotted time. When the breads come out.. Immediately brush butter on them. Brush or drizzle glaze mixture over the warm bread, when still on baking sheet, sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, walnut mixture over the top, decorate with cherries and let cool. This recipe makes two good sized braids. Keep one for yourself and give the other away.. Everyone loves this bread as it's not sickening sweet. Tip. Take breads out when lightly brown.. Don't over cook and you will have a more soft chewy inside to the bread.
  • 2. Make a mixture of the filling up while your bread dough is rising. You can also put chop up some of the cherries and put that in your filling if you like. When it is time to roll your dough you will butter it and spread this mixture before you roll up each section and make your braids.
  • 3. For the Glaze I generally don't even measure.. I just mix up some confectioners sugar and milk to a smooth consistancy and add a little cherry juice to the mixture for flavor and color. Should be a pale pink color. When the bread comes out. Brush butter over the bread first then when you take the bread off the cookie sheets and put it on a plate or container of your choice you can decorate it by drizzling or brushing on the glaze, sprinkling any left over topping mix over and placing the cherries. I also drizzle more glaze after I have put on my cherries. This bread is soooo good!!

Blessing Sukubo
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I'm not sure if I have all of the ingredients for this recipe. I'll have to check my pantry before I can start.


mian osama
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This recipe is very similar to my grandmother's recipe for Christmas bread. I can't wait to try it and see how it compares.


Mrsweet Guy
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Can this bread be made ahead of time and frozen?


Hasham Khan
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I'm allergic to nuts, so I'm wondering if I could substitute something else for the walnuts in the filling.


James Lerefolo
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I'm not much of a baker, but this recipe seems easy enough to follow. I think I'll give it a try.


Jack Kalala
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This recipe looks amazing! I'm definitely going to give it a try.


Sadaf Nageen
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This bread is absolutely stunning! I can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing the recipe.


Nangyalwrites
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I've been making this Christmas braid for years and it's always a hit. It's a beautiful and delicious bread that's perfect for any holiday gathering.


Khalfan Han
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This is the best Christmas bread recipe I've ever tried! It's so easy to make and it always turns out perfect. I love the combination of the sweet and savory flavors.


Bxgpearl Dawxzkxd
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I made this braid for my Christmas party and it was a huge success! Everyone loved it. The bread was soft and fluffy, and the filling was perfectly sweet and cinnamony.


Jacqueline Hickman
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This bread was a little too sweet for my taste, but otherwise it was very good. I would recommend using less sugar in the filling next time.


Vhang G
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This recipe was easy to follow and the bread turned out great! The only thing I would change is to add a little more cinnamon to the filling.


shami Kek
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This braid was beautiful and delicious! I used a combination of white and whole wheat flour, which gave it a nice texture. The filling was also very flavorful. I will definitely be making this again.


Balkis afolabi
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I've made this Christmas braid several times now and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The bread is soft and fluffy, and the filling is perfectly sweet and cinnamony. I highly recommend this recipe.


G.star. Huzaifa
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This Christmas braid was a huge hit with my family! It was so delicious and festive. I loved the combination of the sweet and savory flavors. The bread was also very easy to make. I will definitely be making this again next year.