PREP TIME: 2 hrs 15 mins | COOK TIME: 25 mins | TOTAL TIME: 2 hrs 40 mins | SERVES: 1 large loaf
I love a fresh loaf out of the oven. This cinnamon roll braided bread is a work of art with its amazing outer crust and fluffy exterior laced with cinnamon sugar. All it takes is a fair amount of patience and effort to make it, but the result is everything!
INGREDIENTS
Dough:
2 eggs
1 tbsp sugar
1 c. whole milk, slightly warmed
2¼ tsp yeast
½ c. warm water
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
4 c. flour
½ tsp vanilla
¼ c. sugar
1 egg for egg wash (brush over the top of the braid before baking)
½ tsp salt
Filling:
1 tbsp cinnamon
¼ c sugar
¼ c. unsalted butter, melted
¼ c. brown sugar
Glaze:
1 tsp vanilla
2-3 tbsp milk
1¼ c. powdered sugar
HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON ROLL BRAIDED BREAD
Dough:
Step 1: Place the warm water and 1 tbsp sugar in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. On top of the mixture, sprinkle the yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes to allow the yeast to activate.
Step 2: To the activated yeast, add the milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well until blended.
Step 3: Whisk in the flour using the dough hook along with the ¼ c sugar and salt. Then, knead the dough for about 6 to 8 minutes.
Step 4: In a large, greased bowl. Place the dough. Tent the bowl and let the dough rise for about an hour in a warm area.
Step 5: Punch the dough after an hour and let it rise for another 10 minutes.
Filling and Braid:
Step 6: In a small bowl, combine the sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Step 7: Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a large rectangle about 12 x 14 inches. Then, cut the dough into 3 equal parts.
Step 8: With the melted butter, brush the top of each section and sprinkle with the filling mixture. Into a long cylinder, tightly roll each section, making each section a bit longer than 14 inches.
Step 9: In a cylinder, gently cut a long line on the dough using a sharp knife. This process will expose the cinnamon and sugar in the braid. On a lined baking sheet, place the three sections.
Step 10: Now, press together the three sections at the top and braid carefully. Cover the dough and allow it to rise for about 30 minutes.
Step 11: In the meantime, prepare the oven and preheat it to 375 degrees.
Step 12: With the egg wash, brush the top of the braid. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes until the braided puff up and turn golden brown.
Step 13: Remove the bread from the oven when done and allow it to slightly cool.
Glaze:
Step 14: Whisk all the glaze ingredients until smooth. Adjust the powdered sugar or milk portions to reach your desired consistency.
Step 15: After the bread has cooled, drizzle the glaze on top. Enjoy!