Braided Bread: The Beautiful, Delicious Bread

Braided Bread: The Beautiful, Delicious Tradition You Need to Try. Instead of making bread in buns or loaves, why not try the Super Soft Braided Bread?

Find comfort in pastries through good-quality bread recipes like this one. It may look like it’s hard to make, but I’m sure you can get it right even on your first try. Surprise your loved ones with bread that’s not just tasty, but also beautiful.

You can never know too many bread recipes. Basically, the braided bread recipe is perfect for breakfast, snacks, and celebrations. Don’t miss out on this tasty and pleasing bread – every bite is just satisfying.

What Is Braided Bread?

Braided bread is a beautifully shaped loaf made by intertwining strands of dough. While its stunning appearance often steals the show at holiday tables, its origins and flavor are just as rich. From Jewish challah to European plaited loaves, braided breads are enjoyed across cultures — each version with unique meanings, ingredients, and techniques.

From the inside out, Braided Bread is truly a must-try for any home baker. It’ll always take your baking skills and dining experience to the next level!

How to Make Braided Bread

What’s better than the classic bread? Braided Bread! Make this a recipe of your own, and you will never regret it. You might be surprised at how easy it is to make this amazing delicacy.

Put on your chef’s hat and let’s start baking!

Ingredients

Here’s a list of everything you need to make Braided Bread:

Strong bread flour 

You can’t make bread without flour, can you?

In this recipe, I suggest using strong bread flour because it will make it easier for you to knead and braid the bread. It will also make the bread soft and tender inside with a little crisp on the outside.

Strong bread flour is made of hard wheat, hence, it has up to 14% protein. It makes the bread rise higher so that the baked bread will hold its shape. Using strong bread flour will also make the dish slightly chewy.

It’s the same flour I use to make Soft Bread and Air Fryer Bread for the right texture, shape, and form!

Yeast

Rise to the occasion with some yeast in the bread!

No matter what bread you make, you will always need yeast. The yeast makes the dough rise to give the bread an airy, light, and fluffy quality. It’s one of the best leavening agents you can use for any bread recipe.

Just like the strong bread flour, the yeast will also make it easier for you to shape the dough. It even adds volume to the bread for the best texture. I always have yeast in stock because I also use it for Puff Puff, Pizza, and Donuts! 

Egg

It won’t be a bread recipe without an egg.

Adding egg to the dough will make the bread so much lighter and fluffier inside. It’s also an additional leavening agent to let the dough expand and rise. Even the egg white gives the bread bounciness.

I also use it for Plantain Bread, Vanilla Cake, and Banana Bread. You can even use egg substitutes best suited for bread, such as ripe bananas, nut butter, and cornstarch with water.

Powdered milk 

Instantly upgrade your bread with some powdered milk!

According to Martha Stewart, the milk powder will help ferment the bread properly. It can also be an extra leavening agent that complements the yeast and egg. As a result, adding it will make the bread tender and soft.

The powdered milk helps give a creamy and milky taste to the braided bread. It also adds a gorgeous brown shade to the baked bread. In fact, it’s also the perfect alternative for evaporated milk. 

Salted butter

Why not make the bread better with some salted butter?

Salted butter adds a rich buttery flavor and quality to the bread. Its salt content will also make the bread last longer. Overall, it will make the bread tender and airy for the best texture inside.

Once it bakes into the bread, it will be easier to pull apart when you eat it. The fat content of salted butter can be fantastic for the braided bread recipe!

Seasoning 

Season the bread with sugar, nutmeg, and sea salt to give it the full flavour it needs. Sea salt is also a natural preservative agent for pastry. Meanwhile, the nutmeg and sugar add a distinct taste to the braided bread. 

These ingredients may seem simple, but the real fun comes once you make the bread! With the correct measurements, you can easily make bakery-quality bread at home! 

Directions

Check out how simple it is to make braided bread! Simple Braided Bread Recipe (Beginner-Friendly)

1. Mix strong bread flour, nutmeg, sugar, sea salt, skimmed milk powder, and dry yeast in a bowl.
2. Add the egg and the water.
3. Knead it in the mixer for five minutes.
4. Gradually add the salted butter while kneading. 
5. Continue kneading until the dough is ready for baking.
6. Roll the dough using a rolling pin on a greased or floured surface.
7. Then, fold the two ends of the dough inward and roll again.
8. Use a dough cutter to slice the dough into three equal portions.
9. Roll out each dough, and shape it into long and thick pieces. 
10. Pinch the dough strips together on one end.
11. Braid the dough strands by bringing one strand in the middle. Do this alternately until it forms a braid. 
12. Then, pinch the other end to close the braid.
13. Cover the baking tray with cling film and a towel.
14. Leave it to rise for about an hour or until it doubles in size. 
15. Preheat the oven to 150°C for ten minutes.
16. Bake the dough for 16 minutes.
17. Once baked, brush the braided bread with butter for that extra flavor, moisture, and gloss!

Let me know how it turned out! Is it as soft, delicate, and delicious as you hoped it would be? You don’t need to go to the bakery or restaurant to have quality bread! 

A Brief History of Braided Bread

Braiding bread dates back centuries and is often tied to tradition and symbolism:

• Challah: A traditional Jewish braided bread eaten on Sabbath and holidays, symbolizing unity and continuity.
• European styles: Many Central and Eastern European cultures make braided loaves during festivals, weddings, or Easter.

These breads are not just beautiful — they carry cultural heritage in every strand.

Why You Should Try Braiding Your Own Bread

Aside from looking gorgeous on your table, braided bread is:

• Fun and therapeutic to shape
• Customizable: Fill with herbs, cheeses, or sweet spreads
• Impressive for guests, yet beginner-friendly
• Great for gifting

Tips

Storing bread dough

• Put the dough in a freezer bag to use within several weeks.
• Leave enough space in the bag to raise the dough before freezing.
• To use, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and let it proof at room temperature to bake. 

• You can also refrigerate it by putting it in a bowl and covering it with a towel. 

Kneading Dough by Hand

1. To knead, lightly flour or grease a flat and clean surface.
2. Place the dough on the surface.
3. Then, push the dough outward with the heel of your hand.
4. Fold the halves of the dough and press it down again. 
5. Continue pushing and folding the dough for 25 minutes or until the dough is ready for shaping.

Kneading is a necessary step in preparing dough because it builds the gluten network for the proper structure and form of the bread. However, do not over-knead to prevent the bread from becoming hard. 

Braided Bread Variations

Is there any other way of making Braided Bread?

You can also make this a gluten-free recipe by replacing the bread flour with gluten-free flour. On the other hand, make the braided bread with almond flour, brown rice, or oat flour.

You can also bake with bananas for enhanced flavor and nutritional value. For added character to the braided bread, incorporate condiments such as dark chocolate, nuts, raisins, cinnamon, fruit bits, and more! 

No-Oven Bread

You can also make bread in an air fryer. First, prepare the dough as usual and section it into pieces. Then, shape each piece into a ball and arrange them in the air fryer basket. Finally, Bake for 15 minutes. 

Bread can also be cooked in a pot. Preheat a pot with a wire rack inside for 15 minutes on medium heat. Cook the bread for 30 minutes or until baked all the way through. 

There’s also a no-oven bread recipe you can try!

Popular Types of Braided Bread

Challah

A soft, slightly sweet bread with eggs and sometimes honey.

Brioche Braids

Rich and buttery, great for sweet fillings or French toast.

Savory Herb Braids

With garlic, cheese, and herbs — perfect for soups or charcuterie boards.

Sweet Braided Loaves

Filled with cinnamon sugar, fruit preserves, or Nutella for a dessert-style bread.

Recommended Tools

Here are the best Tools for Home Bread Bakers:

• Oven: Bake the braided bread in the oven.
• Stand mixer: Knead the dough in a stand mixer or by hand. 
• Measuring cups and spoons: Measure the ingredients accurately. 
• Dough cutter: Cut the bread with a dough cutter. 
• Glass bowl: Mix the ingredients in a glass bowl. 
• Baking tray: Place the bread on a baking tray.
• Parchment paper: Use this to line a baking tray.
• Cling film and kitchen towel: Cover the dough with cling film and kitchen towel to rise.
• Cooling wire rack: Let the bread rest on a cooling wire rack. 
• Rolling pin: Flatten the dough with a rolling pin. 

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How to Serve Braided Bread

How did your Braided Bread turn out?

Since the Braided Bread is already flavorful and tasty on its own, you can serve it as it is. It’s great for feeding a crowd because your guests can easily pull the buns apart from the bread.

You can also smear it with spreads like peanut butter, cashew butter, and strawberry jam. With braided bread, you can also use eggs, hotdogs, bacon, ham, or other foods for the filling, too. 

It’s not just for breakfast, but for snacks, too. Hence, you can pack it for an on-the-go meal for work or school. Just slice it in the middle and you can add in any filling that you want.

Here are some drinks that you can enjoy with the Braided Bread:

• Oatmeal Smoothie
• Pineapple Juice
• Turmeric Tea
• Chocolate Almond Milk
• Iced Coffee
• Fruit Smoothie

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Store braided bread in containers or bread boxes for several days. 

Cultural Significance of Braided Bread

Braided breads appear in:

• Jewish: Challah (Shabbat & holidays)
• Greek: Tsoureki (Easter bread)
• Swiss: Zopf (Sunday breakfast)
• Slavic regions: Kolach (weddings & rituals)

They often represent celebration, blessing, and togetherness.

Final Thoughts: A Beautiful Bread with Meaning

Braided bread isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about tradition, flavor, and experience. Whether you’re baking challah for Shabbat or a sweet braided loaf for brunch, this bread brings both beauty and heart to the table.

Your Turn!

Have you tried baking braided bread?
Share your experience or favorite filling in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Braided Bread Healthy?

It depends on the ingredients. A basic braided bread made with whole grains and minimal sugar can be a wholesome option, especially when homemade. You control the:

• Flour type (try whole wheat or spelt)
• Sugar and salt levels
• Fillings and oils

What are braided breads called?

Braided breads, also known as Challah, are a popular Jewish bread tradition. They are generally made for celebrations and ceremonial occasions.

How to braid bread easily?

To make braided bread easy, you need to start with the dough. I suggest using strong bread flour, yeast, eggs, and also, adding salted butter to make the dough easier to form and braid.

How many calories are in braided bread?

Braided bread can have about 180 calories per serving. It’s also a good source of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. If you’re cutting back on calories, then limit your intake of the braided bread.

How do you eat braided bread?

There are different ways to eat braided bread. For instance, you can garnish it with some powdered sugar, butter, or other toppings. It’s also easy to pull apart so you can serve it with any spread or dip that you want.