Holiday Bread Braid
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/holiday_bread_braid.html
An electric mixer fitted with a dough hook makes quick work of kneading the dough.
16 slices | Active Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 3 3/4 hours
Ingredients
Holiday Bread Braid
- 2 cups golden raisins
- 1/4 cup Marsala, or dark rum
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup fat-free milk
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup lukewarm water
- 3 large eggs, divided
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
- 1 tablespoon aniseed, crushed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, approximately
Icing
- 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1-1 1/2 tablespoons fat-free milk
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, lightly toasted
Preparation
- To make dough: Stir raisins and Marsala (or rum) in a medium saucepan over low heat until the fruit is heated through, about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Swirl the pan until the butter turns a light brown, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and immediately add milk and oil. Cool to lukewarm and pour into the bowl of an electric mixer or a large mixing bowl.
- Dissolve yeast in the water and add to the milk mixture. Lightly beat 2 of the eggs and add to the bowl along with sugar, orange zest, aniseed, vanilla and salt. Gradually stir in just enough of the flour to make a soft dough.
- Knead the dough for about 6 minutes using a mixer fitted with a dough hook, or knead by hand for 10 to 12 minutes on a lightly floured surface. As you work, add just enough additional flour to make a smooth, elastic but still slightly sticky dough. (Do not add too much flour or the dough will not rise properly.) Drain the raisins and work in, a handful at a time, until well distributed in the dough.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place in a large, oiled bowl; turn to coat with oil, and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat it with nonstick cooking spray. Gently punch down the dough and transfer it to a lightly floured work surface. With a sharp knife, cut the dough into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 14-inch rope. Loosely braid the 3 ropes and firmly pinch the ends together. Transfer the braid to the prepared baking sheet. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. To glaze the braid, beat the remaining egg and brush 2 or 3 teaspoons of it over the dough; discard leftover glaze. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes.
- To make icing: Whisk together confectioners’ sugar and milk in a small bowl to make a thick but pourable icing. Drizzle over the warm bread and sprinkle immediately with almonds.
Nutrition
Per serving : 233 Calories; 4 g Fat; 1 g Sat; 2 g Mono; 42 mg Cholesterol; 44 g Carbohydrates; 5 g Protein; 2 g Fiber; 169 mg Sodium; 228 mg Potassium
3 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 3 other carbohydrate, 1 fat