Braid Bread

It is so much fun making braids with dough and seeing them turned out golden!

INGREDIENTS:

4 1/2 tsp active dry yeast

2 tsp sugar

1/2 cup warm water (110 degree)

1 1/2 cup warm milk 

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

1 Tbsp salt

3 eggs

7 cups all-purpose flour

1 egg

some sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large mixing bowl, add yeast, sugar and warm water, let it stand for 5 minutes;
2. Add milk, butter cubes, sugar, salt, lightly beaten eggs, and flour, mix into a soft ball;
3. Knead for 5 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic;
4. Grease the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubled, about 1 hour;
5. Divide the dough in half, then into thirds. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 18 inches. Braid 3 ropes tightly, pinch and hide both ends under. Make 2 loaves. Cover with a tea towel and let it rise until doubled, about 45 minutes;
6. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sesame seeds;
7. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Enjoy it warm, pull easily apart following the braids. Or let it cool on a wire rack, cut into slices. 

TIP: for a nice looking braid, you need to braid it tightly; otherwise, it will look like this.