Crusty Sesame Braid Bread Recipes

SESAME FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, oil, salt and 4 cups of flour; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Punch dough down. Divide in half. Roll each half into a 15x10-in. rectangle. Roll up from a long side; seal well. Place with seam side down on greased baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. , Beat egg white and water; brush over loaves. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Cover with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray; let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. , With a sharp knife, make 4 shallow diagonal cuts across top. Bake at 400° until lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

BRAIDED SESAME SEED BREAD

Steps:

• Into hot milk, stir sugar, salt, and 1/2 cup butter.
• Cool to lukewarm.
• Sprinkle yeast over warm water in bowl.
• Stir to dissolve.
• Stir in lukewarm milk mixture.
• Add 2 eggs and 3 cups flour and beat at high speed for 2 minutes.
• With a wooden spoon gradually beat in 3 1/2 cups flour and mix with hand until dough is stiff enough to leave the side of the bowl.
• Knead for 10 minutes or until elastic.
• Place dough in lightly greased large bowl.
• Turn dough over to bring up greased side.
• Cover with towel and let rise for 1 1/2 hours in warm place.
• Divide dough in half and cut each half into thirds.
• Roll each third into 26" long strips.
• Braid three strips and pinch ends together.
• On a large greased cookie sheet, form braid into a ring (6 inches in diameter).
• Mix egg with 2 tablespoons water and brush top.
• Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter.
• Let rise 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 375.
• Brush with rest of egg mixture and put sesame or poppy seeds on top.
• Bake 45 minutes or until golden brown.

SESAME WHEAT BRAIDS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add sugar and oil; mix well. Stir in whole wheat flour; let stand until the mixture bubbles, about 5 minutes. , In a small bowl, beat eggs and water. Remove 2 tablespoons to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate. Add remaining egg mixture and salt to batter; mix until smooth. Add 4 cups all-purpose flour and beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down and divide in half. Divide each half into thirds., Shape each into a rope about 15 in. long. Place 3 ropes on a greased baking sheet; braid. Pinch each end firmly and tuck under., Repeat, placing second braid on the same baking sheet. Brush braids with the reserved egg mixture; sprinkle with sesame seeds. Let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes. Remove from baking sheet to cool on a wire rack.