Easy Braided Egg Bread
My sister posted her favorite recipe for Braided Bread a long time ago so I figured it was time that I shared my favorite recipe for it. Both are great, but they are two different recipes. My recipe is actually from my Mom. My Mom makes this best homemade bread. I was so spoiled growing up with fresh cinnamon rolls & bread all the time. I learned everything I know about bread making from my Mom.
This is my Mom’s go to braided bread recipe. She has been making it for as long as I can remember. We really only had it for special occasion like Easter, etc. So it was only a special treat when she did make it. Believe it or not I had never made it before now but my Mom was coming to visit me so I timed it out so that it would be done just in time for her arrival because I know she loves fresh bread…even more then me!
Recipe makes 1 loaf. If you want to make it dairy-free substitute vegetable oil for the butter.
- 2½ cups all purpose or bread flour
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 package dry yeast (2¼ teaspoons)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup warm water
- 2 Tablespoons butter (or vegetable oil)
- 1 egg, beaten
- Grease a baking sheet, set aside.
- Mix/knead dough using your favorite method, with a mixer, by hand, or a bread machine.
- You can start by mixing 1½ cups of the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, water, butter, & egg for about 2 minutes. Add in remaining flour & continue kneading/mixing until soft dough forms.
- Cover & let rise 1 hour or until doubled in size. Roll out to form an 12x6" rectangle. Cut into 3 pieces 12x2" long. Roll out each piece until rounded.
- Start at the top & braid the 3 pieces together. Pinch the ends of the loaf off so they stick together. Let rise 1 hour or until almost doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the top & bottom are golden brown. Remove from oven & brush with butter if desired.
I’ve been eyeing braided breads for years, but have yet to make one. This one is sooo gorgeous!
Thanks Megan! You should definitely give braid bread a try its fun to make. :)
So i did try it to a bit of disappointment. Started out as you instructed but the minute I fold in the remainder 1 cup of flour, it becomes lumpy and no longer sticks together like bread dough should
With making bread & different climates & different times of year you have to adjust the flour to liquid ratio until you get the correct consistence. It sounds like you need to work in more water until the dough becomes a soft ball. I have made this recipe at least 50 times over the years & sometimes I have to add a tiny bit more flour other times a little water.
terrible directions…or lack of directions.
Hello Brigid, What part of the 6 step instructions process listed under the ingredients don’t you understand? I’d be happy to answer your questions, Thanks!
Just made two loaves and they are amazing! Oh and did I mention delish!! And easy with my Kitchen Aid mixer to do the kneading!!
Hi Donna, I’m so glad you liked the bread recipe. It is a favorite with our family. Thanks for commenting, we appreciate it!
I’m going to try this recipe bc seems easy. Now for peeps that know nothing about bread these directions seem a little off. Don’t u need to blend the yeast with warm water and let set for a few minutes until u see that the yeast is nice and activated?? Then u add the yeast flour etc and mix. I’m wondering if one of the peeps who tried to make this in the comments needed very detailed directions and a little background info about bread making. Appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
Hi Tinamarie, I never proof the yeast when I make bread. I know my yeast is not expired when using it so I’ve never had an issue. The recipe really is easy to make especially if using a machine to knead the dough. It doesn’t require much work except waiting time while the dough rises twice.
This was literally the first bread I have ever made, Didn’t even know where to find yeast (don’t judge)! The point is.. the bread came out amazing! The directions are so incredibly simple, will forever hold this memory of my first loaf! Thanks for the blog bread post, ladies. Definitely recommend trying.
Hi Crystal, I’m so glad the braided bread recipe turned out for you! Congrats on making your first loaf of homemade bread. Thanks for taking the time to comment, we appreciate it.
I made the dough and it seems really sticky and I am not sure if I should add more flour, hopefully it works out :)
Nora, I would add more flour if the dough is too sticky to form into a ball.
The bread was wonderful… better than some other braided bread I’ve tried. I would possibly add more sugar for a sweeter bread but this is great with just about any dinner! ? I loved the directions because they were simple and concise! I will be checking out more of these recipes in the future!
Hi Cana, I’m so glad you like the recipe. It is a favorite at our house. Thanks for taking the time to comment, we appreciate it.
Super easy and delicious
Hi Valerie, So glad you liked the bread recipe. Thanks for taking the time to comment, we appreciate it.
Just made this. Next time I would add a bit more salt. Was a little bland. I also used unsalted butter this time. Otherwise the texture was nice.