Sweet bread with subtle orange and slivered almonds glaze !

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About This Recipe:

• braided sweet bread
• egg washed for crispy outsides with soft insides
• silvered almonds on-top
• orange zest inside and on-top
• slightly sweet but not too sweet!

The Method

Firstly, the dough is made all in one large bowl then set to rest. Mixed together are all the dry ingredients; then the melted butter and milk are added along with the egg and orange zest until a dough ball appears.

after only a brief 10 mins of resting, the dough is kneaded, then braided to be rested for 1 hour.

Next egg washed and baked for 30-35 mins at 350 Degrees F and it is complete!

Lastly, is the sweet glaze and slivered almonds to finish off the lovely sweet bread

The recipe:

Prep time	Bake time	Rise time
25 mins	35 mins	70 mins

Orange & Almond glazed Braided Bread

Ingredients:

The Bread

• 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (2-1/4 tsp.) Quick Rise Yeast
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter OR margarine sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 egg
• zest of one large orange
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Glaze

• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• Juice of 1 large orange
• 1-3/4 cups sifted powdered sugar
• Sliced almonds for garnish

Procedure:

In a large bowl (keep in mind this is the one the dough will rise in) combine 2 cups of the flour with the yeast sugar and salt. In a saucepan or microwave heat the milk and the butter until quite warm, almost hot to the touch. Pour over the mixture and add the egg; mix for 3-5 mins then add the orange zest. Add the remaining flour until a soft dough like ball forms.

Next, knead the dough for 5-7 mins until elastic and not too sticky.

Let the dough sit back in the bowl for 15 mins with a cover ontop.

Once 15 mins is up; separate the ball of dough into three long rectangles strands and braid. Let rise on a baking sheet that is parchment lined with the towel overtop for 1 hour.

Gently brush with an egg wash and Bake at 350 Degrees F for 30-35 mins.

Meanwhile, make the glaze!

For the glaze just mix all the ingredients together by whisk or fork and drizzle over the lovely warm bread once it is out of the oven!

Add slivered almonds, more glaze, slice and enjoy!

Happy Baking!