Braided Easter Bread is deliciously soft and very easy to make and versatile.
You can use the Braided Easter Bread to making your sandwich or even scoop your gravies with it.
But then let us start from the beginning.
I cannot braid properly, I never had long hair I did not encourage the girls too keep their hair long so braiding I have hardly done. When I do it is not too good, at least to my critical eye it looks skewed.
So I kept telling Akanksha that I have to make a braided bread. She was like sure let us, but Ma you can do it. You make quite good braids. She must have realised that I need support and hence she agreed to make it.
I was mixing the dough when she realised I am not using the processor knowing that my cervical spondylosis will act up she told me to let her do the kneading. The dough was soft and sticky I kept hovering around and dusting the flour.
She did manage it not only that she went on and did the window pane test.  I was surprised that she knew it. After taking my help to form the ball she was out.
In half an hour our dough was double. So we went ahead and made this braided bread with half the dough. The other half she has shaped in a different manner. Will share it soon.
The original recipe calls for raisins in the dough and orange marmalade to serve. We have omitted both as kiddo does not want anything to do with both.
I am glad that my kid has picked up so much of baking and she comes up with innovative bread too.
The most important part is I was touched when she kneaded the dough without being asked to especially when she hates the squishy feel of the dough.
This bread is thanks to Sonia Gupta of Anybody can Bake as I re-bonded with my girl while baking. Do check out Sonia's blog where her recent post on Homemade Pizza Sauce has me itching to make the sauce.
This bread is copied from Taste of Home.
The other bread I have baked in the past are
- Homemade Soft Cheese Bread #BreadBaker
- How to make Laffa Bread
- Honey Oatmeal Applesauce Bread #BreadBakers
Easter Bread Braided
Braided Easter Bread
Ingredients
- 1-½ teaspoon instant yeast
- ¾ cup water warm
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup oil
- 2 teaspoon salt
- lemon zest from 1 lemon
- 4 cups all purpose flour maida
- 3 eggs room temperature (optional)
- ½ cup raisins optional
- 2 teaspoons butter melted
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl add the warm water, instant yeast, sugar, oil, 2 cups of the maida, salt and lemon zest. (If you are using active yeast check the notes.)
- Mix to form a very soft slurry kind of smooth dough.
- Add the remaining flour (I needed 5 cups) and soft dough.
- On a floured surface turn out the dough add the raisins if using and knead until smooth and elastic. (If you do the kneading in the food processor you need to knead for 3-4 minutes).
- Here my kid did all the kneading. She kneaded till we got the window pane.
- Place the dough ball in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top.
- Cover with plastic wrap and then let rise in a warm place. Mark the height where the dough should reach when double.
- The dough should double in about 1 hour. It is so hot here that the dough was ready in 45 minutes.
- Degas the dough by punching it down.
- Turn out on a floured surface and divide dough into thirds.
- Make a rope with each dough piece.
- Place the ropes on a tray braid the ropes gently pinch the ends to seal.
- Cover the tray with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise yet again.
- Heat the oven at 180 C/350 F about 10 minutes prior to the end of the baking time.
- Once double, after about ½ hour in our case bake in preheated oven at 180C/350F.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes till golden brown on top. The bread should sound hollow when tapped.
- Brush the bread with melted butter.
- Transfer the bread to the cooling rack.
- Remember to let the bread cool completely before serving. You can serve with butter and marmalade. We had it with Nutella.
Notes
- If you are using active yeast in a bowl add warm water, sugar and yeast.
- Mix well.
- Set aside for the water to get all bubbly and frothy.
Karen says
Very pretty braiding! I'd love a slice!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Karen
Shobha Keshwani says
Perfectly made braided bread.. This reminds me I have not baked any bread for a long time.. Let me bake some right away.. Happy Easter !
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Shobha. Please share the one you make with me.
Chef Mireille says
The bread looks so soft and rich - just like Easter breads are supposed to be
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Mir. Happy Easter to you.
Swati says
Perfectly baked bread, love how the braids are there after proofing too. Will love to have it with my favourite orange marmalade.
ArchanaPotdar says
I too will love it with marmalade Swati. unfortunately, it seems like too much of effort for just 1 person.
Mayuri Patel says
Pretty braiding and would definitely use the eggs for a much much softer bread. Its so much fun when kids help out in the kitchen.
ArchanaPotdar says
Yes, eggs do give a soft bread. Thanks, Mayuri.
Mina Joshi says
Your bread looks delicious. It’s lovely reading about how your daughter helped you bake the bread. Cooking is fun when done with someone.
ArchanaPotdar says
:D. Thanks
Sujata Roy says
You made breaded bread so perfectly. Didn't make a bread since a long time. Now you tempted me to bake a bread soon. Loved it.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Sujata.
Narmadha says
Braided bread looks delicious and soft. Perfectly made one
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Priya Srinivasan says
Arch that braid looks so perfect, love how plump it looks, beautifully done!!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Priya.
Shobha Keshwani says
Braided bread has come out perfect, soft and fluffy. . I haven't baked it for a long time.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks. You should bake.
Kalyani says
I like how soft this looks. With the help.of your master kneaded n baker kid, this is waiting to be made n devoured warm with a bowl of soup
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 yes it is!
Seema Sriram says
Making bread is a skill I would love to learn and practice at some point. I love how beautifully braided his bread is. can't take my eyes off it.
ArchanaPotdar says
Aww thanks, Seema. You can do it. Ping me if you need help.
Sarika Gunjal (SpiceZone) says
Perfectly made braided bread. It looks so soft and dainty. I love the aroma of bread baking.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thank you, Sarika.