This recipe for Braided Yeast Bread with Caramel Filling is a sumptuous weekend treat that combines the traditional charm of homemade yeast bread with the sweet allure of caramel. Each loaf is carefully crafted, starting with a rich, tender dough that’s rolled out, filled with delicious caramel, and then intricately braided to create an exquisite texture and appearance. The result is a delightfully soft bread with swirls of gooey caramel in every bite, making it a perfect companion to your morning coffee or tea.
Why You’ll Love This:
The blend of simple, comforting ingredients and the luxurious addition of caramel make this bread irresistibly appealing. The process of kneading and braiding the dough not only infuses the bread with love but also ensures that every slice is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. The caramel provides a sweet contrast to the slightly salty, buttery dough, offering a satisfying complexity of flavors.
Perfect Occasion:
This braided yeast bread is ideal for leisurely weekend mornings, special brunches, or as a heartwarming treat to share with family and friends. It’s particularly fitting for celebrations or holidays when you want to create something a little extra special without leaving the comfort of your home.
Decoration Tips:
After baking, you can brush the top of the bread with a light glaze made from milk and sugar to give it a shiny, appealing finish. Sprinkle some coarse sugar or sliced almonds on top before baking for an added crunch and professional bakery-like appearance.
Ingredients:
- For the Dough:
- 375 ml of milk
- 75 g of sugar (for the yeast mixture)
- 60 g of fresh yeast
- 600 g of all-purpose flour (plus 100 g for later use)
- 7 egg yolks
- 5 g of salt
- 120 g of sugar (for the dough)
- 100 g of butter (82% fat content)
- For the Filling:
- Caramel (quantity as desired, ready-made or homemade)
- Begin by warming the milk gently on the stove. It should be warm, not hot. Remove from heat and stir in 75 g of sugar. Crumble the yeast into the milk and set aside for 20 minutes to activate.
- In a large bowl, combine 600 g of flour, 120 g of sugar, salt, and egg yolks. Melt the butter gently and let it cool slightly.
- Once the yeast mixture has risen, add it to the flour mixture. Start kneading, then gradually incorporate the melted butter and the additional 100 g of flour, continuing to knead for about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour.
- Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll out one part into a rectangle, spread a generous layer of caramel over it, then roll it up. Cut the roll into three pieces and braid them together. Repeat the same process with the second piece of dough.
- Place each braided loaf into a baking tin and let them rise for another 20 minutes.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.
Enjoy this decadent Braided Yeast Bread with Caramel Filling as a luxurious treat that elevates any weekend breakfast or brunch to celebratory levels!
