French Bread Braids Recipes

BRAIDED FRENCH LOAF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray braided loaf pan with cooking spray. Remove dough from cans. Completely unroll 1 can of dough; wrap around second loaf and press edges to seal. Place loaf, seam side up, in pan.
• Bake 32 to 36 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to cooling rack, placing braid side up. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top of loaf. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

FRENCH BREAD BRAIDS

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

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast and salt. Stir in 2 cups warm water, and beat until well blended using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.
• On a lightly floured surface, knead in enough flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes total. Shape into a ball. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn once. Cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled.
• Punch dough down, and divide in half. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover, and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each half into large rectangle. Roll up, starting from a long side. Moisten edge with water and seal. Taper ends.
• Grease a large baking sheet. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Place loaves, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water, and brush on. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until nearly doubled, 35 to 40 minutes.
• With a very sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across top of each loaf. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 20 minutes. Brush again with egg white mixture. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until bread tests done. If necessary, cover loosely with foil to prevent over browning. Remove from baking sheet, and cool on a wire rack.

ABBY'S FRENCH BREAD BRAIDS

Steps:

• In a bowl combine 3 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast, mix well.
• In a small sauce pan heat 2 cups water and shortening until very warm.
• Add warm mixture to flour mixture, blend on low speed until moistened and then for 3 min on medium speed.
• By hand stir in an additional 1 1/2 - 2 1/4 cups flour to form a stiff dough.
• On a floured surface, knead 1/4 - 1/2 cup flour until dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minute.
• Place in a greased bowl, cover loosely with greased plastic wrap and a cloth towel. Let rise in a warm place until light and doubled in size, about 45-60 min.
• Grease a large cookie sheet. Punch the dough down several times to remove all air bubbles. Divide the dough in half and then divide each half into 3 equal parts.
• Roll each part into a 14 inch rope. Braid the 3 ropes, sealing the ends. Place on greased cookie sheet. Repeat with other dough half.
• In a small bowl combine 1 tbsp water and the egg white, beat slightly. Carefully brush over the loaves. Cover, let rise in a warm place until light and doubled in size, 20-30 minute.
• Heat over to 375. Uncover the loaves, brush again with egg white mixture. Bake for 25-30 min or until golden brown.
• Remove from oven and cool on wire racks.

HOME-STYLE FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• Using an electric mixer with a dough hook, combine the yeast, sugar and warm water and mix for 2 minutes to dissolve the yeast. Add the salt and flour. With the mixer on low, mix until the dough starts to come together. Increase the speed to medium-high and mix until the dough comes away from the sides of the bowl and crawls up to dough hook.
• Grease a mixing bowl with the oil. Place the dough in the greased bowl and turn once. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft free place until the dough doubles in size about 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove the dough from the bowl and invert it onto a heavily floured surface. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Pat each portion into a large rectangle, about 3/4-inch thick. Roll up the dough, beginning with the short side and stopping after each full turn to press the edge of the roll firmly into the flat sheet of dough to seal. Press with your fingertips. Tuck and roll so that any seams disappear into the dough.
• Sprinkle a baking sheet evenly with 2 tablespoons of the cornmeal. Place the loaves on the baking sheet, about 3 inches apart. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons cornmeal. Cover the loaves with a cloth and let rise until double in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• With a sharp knife, make diagonal slashes, about 1-inch apart, on the top of each loaf. With a pastry brush, brush the egg wash evenly over each loaf. Place a cup of hot water in an oven-proof container on the baking sheet with the loaves.
• Bake for 45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack. Slice to serve.

FRENCH BREAD BRAIDS

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

FRENCH BREAD BRAIDS

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

BRAIDED BREAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine 5 cups flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Heat water, butter and honey to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat on medium speed. Separate one egg; refrigerate the egg white. Add egg yolk and remaining eggs to yeast mixture; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 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 portion into thirds; shape each into a rope about 18 in. long. Sprinkle two greased baking sheets with cornmeal; place three ropes on each baking sheet and braid. Pinch ends firmly and tuck under. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 45 minutes., Beat cold water and reserved egg white; brush over the dough. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds. Bake at 375° for 18-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pans to wire racks.