Braided Apple Cinnamon Bread
Sea Salt Savorings
This delicious, soft apple bread is perfect for breakfast or dessert. Rolling the apple-cinnamon filling inside a log of dough (like the start of cinnamon buns), then cutting that log in half and twisting it leaves the filling half in and half out, resulting in a lovely swirled appearance.
Prep Time 35 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Servings 8 Slices
Calories 647 kcal
Apple Filling
- 1/3 c granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon spice
- 3 c apples peeled and diced granny smith or honey crisp work well
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 c cheddar cheese shredded
Dough
- 4 c flour plus extra for rolling out dough
- 1/3 c granulated sugar
- 2 envelopes active dry yeast
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 c water
- 1/2 c buttermilk
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg white beaten
- 1 tbsp water
Icing
- 1 c powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk or half and half
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/8 tsp maple extract
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 the 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 the dough rectangle. Repeat for the other end.
Alternating sides, fold strips across to the center of the dough.
Repeat the process for the other half of the 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 the 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.
Calories: 647kcalCarbohydrates: 104gProtein: 14gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 451mgPotassium: 167mgFiber: 2gSugar: 46gVitamin A: 619IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 151mgIron: 4mg
Nutrition values are estimates, for exact values consult a nutritionist.