Spring Holiday Braid
by Tony van Roon
o 6 cups All-Purpose Flour
o 1/2 cup Sugar
o 2 packages RapidRise Yeast (equal to 16 gram)
o 1 tablespoon grated lemon-peel
o 1 1/2 teaspoon Salt
o 1/2 teaspoon Ground Mace or Ground Nutmeg
o 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
o 3/4 cup Milk
o 1/2 cup Water
o 1/3 cup softened butter
o 3 Eggs
o 1 Egg white, slightly beaten
o Additional Sugar
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, undissolved yeast, lemon peel, salt and mace. Heat
milk, water, and butter until very warm (about 125°F.); stir into dry ingredients. Stir in the 3 eggs and enough
remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Cover and
let rest on floured surface 10 minutes.
Divide dough in half, set aside 1 half. Divide 1 half into 4 equal pieces; roll 3 pieces to 14" ropes. Place ropes
on baking sheet; braid. Pinch ends firmly to seal. Divide remaining piece into 3 equal pieces; roll each piece to
9 inch rope; braid. Place small braid on large braid; pinch ends to seal and to secure to large braid. Repeat with
remaining dough. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 50 minutes.
Brush Braids with egg white. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake in pre-heated 350° F. oven for 35 to 45 minutes or until
done. Remove braids from sheet; let cool on wire racks.
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