Christmas Braid

I am looking for a yeast Christmas braid for the holidays. My grandma always used to make one.

Bec5

Here is a recipe found in the Country Woman Christmas 2003 cookbook

Braided Sesame Wreath
Debbie Sadlo, Landover, Maryland

1 pkg (1/4 oz.) active dry yeast
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm milk
(110 degrees to 115 degrees)
1/4 cup butter or marg.,melted
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
4 to 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

TOPPING:
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon sesame seeds

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Add the butter, sugar, egg, salt and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft 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. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into thirds. Shape each portion into a 22-in. rope. Place ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends together to form a ring. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Brush with egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min. or until golden brown. Remove from pan to wire rack to cool. Yields 1 loaf.
Comments from Debbie: All time favorite of everyone. She bakes all kins of bread. Said she garnishes buttery wreath with festive fabric bow.

I'll look for more. lyn from M

bump for more

Subject: CRANBERRY EGGNOG BRAID
Posted by: GrannyBTX Replies: 3 Posted on: 8/13/2003 10:09:56 PM
#T216510
This is a super "Christmas morning" bread - has a wonderful flavor (and I'm not overly fond of nutmeg but it's the main spice in this bread) - Makes a very pretty loaf of bread ......

The recipe came from a '96 issue of Country Woman ......

"Cranberry Eggnog Braid"

3 to 3-1/2 cups all purpose flour, divided
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 pkg (1/4 oz) active dry yeast
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1-1/4 cups eggnog (commercially prepared)
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Glaze:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 to 2 Tblsp eggnog
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
dash nutmeg

In a mixing bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups of flour, sugar, salt, yeast and nutmeg - set aside. In a saucepan, heat eggnog and butter to 120-130 degrees (the butter does not need to melt) - add to the flour mixture. Beat on low till moistened - then beat on medium for 3 minutes. Stir in cranberries and enough of remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn onto floured surface - knead until smooth and elastic (about 6-8 minutes). Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top of dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hr. Punch down dough; divide into thirds. Shape each third into a 16" rope. Braid ropes on a greased baking sheet, sealing ends. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30-45 mins.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or till lightly golden. Immediately remove from pan to a wire rack to cool. While loaf is warm, combine the first 3 glaze ingredients - drizzle over braid. Dust with nutmeg. Allow to cool completely.

... DELICIOUS with a cup of coffee ...

Enjoy!
Bettie

RE: Does anyone here make a fancy Christmas bread for Christmas morning?
Posted by: luvin2cooknGA Posted on: 12/16/2002 11:44:12 AM
#R903314
Here's a little something i've been making for about 12 years. I make about 10 of them and give them to family and neighbors. I never use a recipe, though because i'm a "creative cook". They've never failed me yet! I bake them Christmas Eve day and deliver them so they can be eaten in the morning.

Christmas Morning Bread

1 loaf frozen bread dough
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
(optional 1/4 tsp almond or vanilla flavor)
1 can cherry pie filling

prepare bread dough through 1st rise. Roll out in rectangle. Place on a sprayed cookie sheet. Mix cream cheese and sugar and optional flavoring. Spread this down center third of dough. Top with the pie filling (i usually don't use all of the juice). Cut dough at 2 inch intervals on both sides of filling. Braid overlapping filling. You can then shape into a round or I usually do a candy cane shape. Let it rise again. Bake at 375degrees until golden brown. (not sure for how long..I'm usually in the kitchen anyway and keep an eye on it!) Make an icing of 10x sugar and REAL butter. Slather on top... decor with red and green candied cherries if you have them or sliced almonds.

I put them on a cardboard covered with foil, wrap in saran wrap, and tie with a bow. Very well received, and very delicious!

I put my families in the fridge before the final rise and bring it out in the morning to rise and bake it then.

I fill like i've rambled on! These are truly delicious, and well received. I hope the recipe is clear, as i said, i'm a "creative cook" and do not us recipes! Although i'm addicted to this site and have gotten ALOT of wonderful ideas.