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Apple Braid Bread
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5 from 1 vote

Apple Braid Bread

Who loves the fluffy and moist texture of freshly baked bread? How about bread that is full of delicious Apple flavor? This Apple Braid Bread Recipe will be a wonderful addition to any meal, whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner. This incredible bread is perfect as a side platter to your favorite meal or a perfect bread snack to fill up your tummy.
Prep Time3 hours
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time3 hours 25 minutes
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple bread recipe
Servings: 2 loaves
Author: Jill

Ingredients

Apple Filling

  • c granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon spice
  • 3 cups apples peeled and diced granny smith or honey crisp work well
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 c cheddar cheese shredded

Crumb for Filling

Dough

  • 4 c flour plus extra for rolling out dough
  • c granulated sugar
  • 2 envelopes active dry yeast
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ c water
  • ½ c buttermilk
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 2 lg eggs
  • 1 lg egg white beaten
  • 1 tbsp water

Icing

  • 1 c powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp milk or ½&½
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • tsp maple extract

Instructions

Apple Filling

  • Combine granulated sugar, corn starch, cinnamon. Add in chopped apple and lemon juice. Toss until well-coated.

Crumb Filling

  • Place flour, brown sugar, maple extract and butter in a bowl and cut in with a fork or pastry blender until it is a crumbly texture. If not dry enough to crumble, add in a bit more flour.

Dough

  • Using a stand mixer, mix together 1 cup flour, granulated sugar, yeast powder and salt.
  • Heat water, buttermilk and butter until warmed to about 125 degrees. Add gradually to flour mixture.
  • Beat on medium speed until thoroughly combined, scraping bowl as needed.
  • Add the eggs and 1½ cups flour, mixing until combined.
  • Stir in enough of the remaining flour to achieve a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for approx. 8 minutes, until dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and let dough rest for 15 minutes.

Assembly

  • Divide dough in half and roll each half to a 12x14 inch rectangle, trying to keep sides as straight as possible.
  • Remove rectangles to the parchment lined baking sheets.
  • Spoon ½ of apple mixture down center of rectangle in an approx. 3-inch strip.
  • Sprinkle ½ of the cheddar cheese over the apples.
  • Sprinkle ½ of the crumb filling over the apples and cheese.
  • Starting at one long end of the dough, make knife cuts approx. 3-inch long and 1-inch wide down length of dough rectangle. Repeat for the other end.
  • Alternating sides, fold strips across to center of dough.
  • Repeat process for other half of dough.
  • Cover braids and let rise for 1-hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Using a fork, mix water into egg white till thoroughly combined.
  • Brush egg white mixture across top of each bread.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for approx. 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • Transfer from pans to wire racks to cool.

Icing

  • Combine powdered sugar, milk, butter and maple extract with a fork or whisk until smooth.
  • Drizzle icing across the cooled braids.