Sunday, November 21, 2010

Apricot and Apple Braid

This braid is very similar to my Blueberry Cream Cheese Loaf but this time I made the dough from scratch rather than using the store bought kind. I mix the dough and let it rise overnight and in the morning I just shape it up and we have freshly bake bread for our breakfast or brunch. It might takes some time to prepare this bread but the results are worth the extra effort.

Ingredients:

2 ¼ cups bread flour
¼ cups sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 packet (7 gram) dry yeast
1 egg
½ cup + 2 tbsp milk
¼ cup butter

Egg wash:

1 egg - beaten


Fillings:

3 apples – peel and sliced thinly
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp butter
¼ cup raisin
4 tbsp apricot jam

Glaze:

½ cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice


1. In a mixing bowl combined flour, sugar, salt and yeast.
2. In a saucepan melt the butter, turn off the heat and then add in the milk. Let it cool down and beat in the egg.
3. Add the milk mixture into the flour and knead into smooth dough. Cover the dough and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight.
4. To prepare the filling. Melt the butter and sugar; add in the apple and lemon juice. Cook until the apple is soft and the juice nearly evaporated. Turn off the heat and add in the cinnamon and raisins. Mix well and set it aside to cool down.


5. Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly flour work surface. Roll out the dough to about 18" x 12” rectangle. Spread the apricot jam down the middle and top it up with the apple filling.
6. On each long side, cut about 1” wide strip and about 2” into the center. Starting at one end, fold alternative strips at an angle across the filling. Pinch end to seal tight. Cover and let it rise for 30 minutes.
7. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degree F, brush the braid with egg wash and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and let it cool completely on wire rack.
8. Combined the glaze and drizzle all over the braid.

I am submitting this bread to Yeastspotting

19 comments:

Zurin said...

Ive always wanted to make something like this. You may have just inspired me to do it :)))

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

This is suitable for lunch too, looks good and nice.

ma'chiks said...

beautiful...i would love to bake one..thnxs.

Jeannie said...

I love braids with fillings like this, yours looked so neatly braided!

My Little Space said...

I'm such a bread freak! And you just got me into this. haha.... Hmm... salivating already. Have a great weekend.
Cheers, Kristy
p/s busy planning for the coming thanksgiving menu?

ann low said...

WOW! This is so nicely braided and I love the filling in it. Sooo good with a cup of hot coffee.

WendyinKK said...

Apricot and apples, my favourite fruits for baking.
I've bookmarked a lattice bread from a long time, but have never done it. Yours look so inviting with the soft apples and apricot jam

3 hungry tummies said...

I would love a slice or two of that right now. It looks perfectly baked!

Lisa Ho said...

beautifully braided

Swee San said...

The braids look very neat!

Cheah said...

The bread is so nicely braided, so neat. Mine is always so haphazard!

Smoky Wok (formerly Tastes of Home) said...

waaa..I like this braid! This is a definite winner! :)

Jun said...

I am going to use your filling recipe for making filled sweet buns!

I am too scared to try braiding bread dough :)

ICook4Fun said...

Zurin, looking forward to your posting.

Sonia, thank you.

Ma'chiks, thank you.

Jeannie, thank you.

Kristy, yea the frozen turkey already thawing in the fridge and today going to get the balance of the ingredients for cooking. I will post some pictures here.

Anncoo, yes this is great for breakfast.

Wendy, I like to buy apple but never like to eat it so I have to put it into my baking.

3 hungry tummies, thank you.

ICook4Fun said...

Lisa & Swee San, thanks.

Cheah, if you check out my previous posting the braid look horrible too. Practice makes perfect I guess :)

Jen, thank you.

Jun, it is not that difficult. By the way, I love your chai pao.

Lauren said...

This is such a gorgeous presentation, and the apple/apricot filling sounds absolutely delicious!

Mimi said...

My family traditionally makes apple strudel, which is pretty similar to this. But, ours never looks this good! (:

EmiRoo said...

I was wondering what I wanted to contribute to my boyfriend's family's Thanksgiving and this is the perfect thing for everyone to much on for the morning! I'm actually making it right now! I can't wait for everyone to enjoy it! Thanks for the inspiration!

minibaker said...

i made this and it turned out so yummy! I made it a lil 'healthier' by using 1/4 cup wholemeal flour and replaced the apricot jam with marmalade as i didnt have apricot. Still delish! Am now hoping to use this to try with savoury fillings too! Thank you for a great recipe!