Braided Herb Bread

Hello Friends! For the last few weeks, I have really been getting into making more bread. My husband bought me a baking stone!! I have always wanted one and I am having so much fun! I have been making a few simple breads (smaller in size so they get eaten quickly) and I decided to do a braided bread…mainly because I love to braid. The recipe is very simple and if you can do a three-strand braid, you should have no problem. You can do with without a baking stone as well. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

1/4 cup of sugar

2 tablespoons of active dry yeast

1 1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of dried marjoram

1 teaspoon of dried thyme

1 teaspoon of dried rosemary

3/4 cup of milk

1/2 cup of water

1/4 cup of butter

1 egg

Egg Wash:

2 egg yolks

1 teaspoon of water

Topping:

1 teaspoon of dried marjoram

1 teaspoon of dried thyme

1 teaspoon of dried rosemary

Additional:

2 tablespoons of melted butter

Directions:

1. In a small sauce pan, combine milk, water and 1/4 cup of butter.
2. Heat until butter has melted and the liquids are warm (not hot).
3. In a large bowl combine bread ingredients, including liquids, mixing until all ingredients are combined (If the mixture is too dry, add more water/too wet, add more flour).
4. Let mixture rest for 10 minutes (makes for easier kneading) and then knead until dough is soft and elastic.
5. Form dough into a ball and place in a large, greased bowl. Spray the top of the dough as well and cover dough with saran wrap.
6. Let dough rest for 1 hour.
7. Preheat the oven to 350 F. If you are using a cooking stone, you want to preheat for at least 40 minutes. If you are not using a cooking stone, preheat for at least 15 minutes.
8. Divide dough into 3 equal portions.
9. For each ball of dough, roll ball out into a large rectangle. Using the long side, roll dough into a tight rope. Let each rope rest for at least 5 minutes before rolling them into longer thin ropes.
10. Make a long braid out of the ropes of dough, pinching the ends at each side.
11. Coil the braid, tucking the ends under the loaf.
12. Place coiled braid on a parchment paper ( and a cooking sheet if not using a baking stone) and spray with cooking spray.
13. Allow bread to rise for 30 minutes.
14. In a bowl, combine egg yolks with water and brush the loaf.
15. Combine the herbs for the topping and sprinkle it evenly over the egg washed dough
16. Bake bread for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.
17. After taking the bread out of the oven, gently brush the top with melted butter.

I hope you enjoy the bread!!

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Recipe Adapted from Where Her Heart Is