German Braided Bread - Hefezopf

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil offers a dairy-free alternative.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk reduces calories and is lactose-free.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey adds natural sweetness with a unique flavor.

raisins

🥗Healthier: dried cranberries

💰Cheaper: chocolate chips

Dried cranberries add tartness and color.

Soak the raisins in water or apple cider.

Heat the milk to lukewarm and dissolve the yeast in the sugar in it.

Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

Add almond extract and the egg, then whisk briefly.

Add flour to a stand mixer bowl, then pour the milk mixture into the flour.

Add soft butter and salt to the mixture.

If you like raisins, add them while kneading.

Knead everything briefly to a soft dough, making sure not to over-knead it.

Cover the dough again with a kitchen towel and let rise for two hours or until doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Remove the dough from the bowl and knead briefly.

Braid the dough.

Whisk the egg with sugar and salt to prevent it from turning too dark while baking.

Brush the braided bread with the egg wash and sprinkle with slivered almonds.

Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens