Braided Bread (with Poppy Seeds)

A beautiful looking AND tasting bread, this easy Braided Bread with Poppy Seeds will be one you make again and again!

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 30

Total Time 2 30

Servings servings

Calories 127kcal

In the mixer bowl, add the 1 ⅔ cup bread flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons dry milk powder, 2 tablespoons white sugar, and 1 teaspoon dry yeast.
Add the ¾ cup warm water and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to the center, and stir until the dough begins to come together, then add the 5 tablespoons poppy seeds.
Knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth.
Place the dough in an oiled bowl, and cover.
Let the dough rise for about an hour – it should double in volume.
Punch down the dough, then turn out onto a floured surface.
Divide dough into 3 roughly equal pieces, and roll each into a rope (about 12 inches long).
Braid the ropes, and tuck each end underneath the loaf.
Put the loaf onto your baking sheet, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
Heat the oven to 400°F.
Combine 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon milk, and 1 tablespoon white sugar and brush gently over the top of the loaf.
Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon poppy seeds.
Bake for 30 minutes – until golden brown.
Cool completely before cutting.
Devour.

BREAD MACHINE DIRECTIONS

In the pan of an electric bread machine, add the flour, salt, milk powder, sugar and yeast.
Add the water and oil to the center.
Set the machine to the “dough” cycle.
When the dough begins to come together, add the poppy seeds.
When the cycle has finished, punch down the dough, and turn out onto a floured surface.
Divide dough into 3 roughly equal pieces, and roll each into a rope (about 12 inches long).
Continue with Step 7 from stand mixer instructions