Step-by-step method

At a glance

This rich, buttery Christmas braid requires two rises and some braiding finesse to get that impressive twisted shape just right. The key is working with fresh yeast to build a soft, fragrant dough, then giving it plenty of time to rise before a quick bake at high heat—watch for over-browning and cover with foil if needed.

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Option: bread maker

Add all the ingredients, except the almonds, nuts, and raisins, into the bread maker in the order listed. Warm the milk slightly beforehand, and you can also add the butter cut into small pieces. Fine cane sugar works great too.

For this step
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250 gram
Fresh Whole Milk (3.5% Fat)

125 gram
Unsalted Butter

100 gram
Powdered Sugar

2 piece
Chicken Eggs

250 gram
All-purpose wheat flour

400 gram
Medium-Fine Wheat Flour

2 gram
Salt

20 gram
Fresh Yeast
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Choose the program

Select the dough program and let the machine mix and rise the dough. Or use a stand mixer – I go for the dough setting on my Thermomix.
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Option: kneading by hand

If using fresh yeast, first prepare a starter with lukewarm milk and a bit of sugar, crumble in the yeast, and wait until bubbles start forming on the surface. If kneading the dough by hand, let it rise for at least an hour.

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Braiding

Now it's time to braid. Shape the braid however you're used to, as long as you don't tangle yourself up in the process! I braid mine straight on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the braided dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another hour in a warm spot.

For this step
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20 gram
Sultana raisins
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Pin with skewers and brush with egg

After the second rise, you can pin the braid with wooden skewers just to be safe – it costs nothing and helps the braid hold its shape beautifully. Some people brush the braid with just egg white, others with yolk, but I use the whole egg. Then I sprinkle it with sliced almonds and pop it straight into the oven.

For this step
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1 piece
Chicken Eggs

40 gram
Sliced Almonds
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Baking

Preheat the oven fully – for me that's 240°C. Bake at this high temperature for 5 minutes, then lower it to 170–180°C. Continue baking at this temperature for another half hour. If the top looks like it's browning too much, simply cover it with foil.
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Skewer test and serving

You'll know the braid is ready to come out of the oven when a skewer poked into it comes out clean, with no dough sticking to it. And what should you serve alongside your Christmas braid? Warm, sweet hot cocoa.

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Mom's Christmas Braid

Name: Cherished Mom's Christmas Braid
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 95 min
Total time: 235 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Czech
Ingredients: 20 gram Sultana raisins; 40 gram Sliced Almonds; 250 gram All-purpose wheat flour; 3 piece Chicken Eggs; 125 gram Unsalted Butter; 100 gram Powdered Sugar; 400 gram Medium-Fine Wheat Flour; 2 gram Salt; 250 gram Fresh Whole Milk (3.5% Fat); 20 gram Fresh Yeast

bohynekuchyne

Prep 10 min Cook 1 h 35 min

Plus 2 h of resting (not counted in active time)

10 Ingredients

7 Steps

Hard Difficulty

Equipment

What you'll need besides the ingredients.

Bread machine optional

Stand mixer optional

Baking sheet

Baking paper

Tea towel

Skewer wood optional

What's in it?

541 kcal

Calories

77 g

Carbohydrates

20 g

Fats

15 g

Proteins

The nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on the specific ingredients used.

About this recipe

This homemade Christmas braid smells of honest, wholesome ingredients – butter, milk, and farm-fresh eggs. I add vanilla and lemon zest and juice for extra fragrance and flavor. On the other hand, because of my fussy kids, I had to leave out the raisins, which I do regret a little. But I really don't feel like picking them back out afterwards. So today's braid is plain, just the way my children like it. Feel free to add almonds, nuts, or raisins (best soaked in rum beforehand) – that will make the braid even more perfect.

Vegetarian Bread & Rolls Christmas

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Step-by-step method

At a glance

Option: bread maker

For this step

Choose the program

Option: kneading by hand

Braiding

For this step

Pin with skewers and brush with egg

For this step

Baking

Skewer test and serving

How it went

Nobody has tried this recipe yet

Mom's Christmas Braid

Ingredients — what you'll need

Equipment

What's in it?

About this recipe

Want a recipe like this every Thursday?

Similar recipes

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