I know……I know……I’ve been baking too much with strawberry, like this cake, these cupcakes, oh, and those muffins.
BUT, this one is special. This is a bread. A braided one. Beautifully made. When I came across with this recipe, I couldn’t care if I should be done with strawberry. It’s summer……well……very soon. And the only thing I could think of was that jar of home-made strawberry jam sitting in the fridge. Go ahead if you would like to stick with the original recipe and use lemon curd. I do think you could fill your bread with anything – Nutella, fresh berries, chocolate chips, apple sauce……
Ingredients (one big loaf):
Directions:
In a small bowl, combine water, 1 teaspoon sugar, yeast and 1/4 cup flour. Stir well to combine. Cover with tea towel, and set aside to proof for 15 minutes.
Combine the yeast mixture with the remaining bread ingredients (except sesame) in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add 2 1/2 cup flour and mix with the paddle attachment until the dough is a rough, shaggy mass.
Switch to the dough hook and knead on until a soft and smooth dough forms, about 5 to 6 minutes. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with tea towel, and allow to rise for 90 minutes, until the dough almost doubles in size.
While the dough is rising, combine all the filling ingredients (except the jam) in a small bowl, mixing until smooth and lump-free. Reserve until ready to fill the bread.
Gently deflate the dough and roll it out on a very well floured counter to a 10″ x 15″ rectangle. Transfer rectangle to a large piece of parchment paper. Lightly dividing it into three equal column with the side of your hand. Spread cream cheese filling on the center section, leaving the top and bottom 2″ free of filling. Spread the strawberry jam over the cream cheese filling.
To form the mock braid, cut crosswise strips 1″ apart down the length of the outer columns of your dough (the parts without filling). Make sure you have an equal amount of 1″ strips down the right and left sides. Be careful not to cut your parchment paper. Remove the four corner segments. To braid, begin by folding top flap down and bottom flap up over the filling. Lift the top dough strip and gently bring it diagonally across the filling. Repeat on the right side, and continue down the entire braid, alternation strips until you are out.
Carefully transfer the dough and the parchment paper to a baking sheet. Cover loosely with tea towel and set it aside to rise for 50 minutes, until quite puffy.
Preheat oven to 375F. Brush the loaf with egg wash, and sprinkle with sesame. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the loaf is golden brown. Remove from over and cool for 15 minutes before serving.
24 Comments
Oh I am totally on the same wavelength as you: I have been obsessed with berries, and also have been thinking constantly about this braided bread ever since I first saw it on SK! My friend and I just planned a brunch so we had an excuse to make it. :) Yours looks beautiful, and the filling sounds delicious.
That's a gorgeous bread…I had baked something similar in the past but with just creamcheese. Next time I am going to add jam like you did:D
This braided bread is gorgeous! Like you mentioned, the possibilities for fillings are endless.. even savory ones would be great.
That's a beautiful bread and the filling is fabulously inspired!
That's a beautiful braid and the filling is fabulously inspired!
Oh! what a nice braided bread. Mind to share with me :))
Nice breakfast bread! Yummy!
Beautiful bread…..so perfectly braided. Love the filling. This must be very delicious….mmm
Oh! Like a healthy danish. =) Can I pretty please have some right now?
This looks gorgeous and delicious. A real must try!
Oooh, I like it, lots tasty
This bread looks wonderful…keep on with the strawberry inspired recipes:)
Yes,do keep baking with berries. 'tis the season and this bread celebrates it! Delectable!
Yum! I like the filling!
Ya know, strawberries are only here for a short time. you need to take advantage of them while you can get them in season. I say the more strawberry dishes the better!
I don't mind if you did more of these bread!
I don't mind if you did more of these breads.
Stunning bread, truly beautiful!
What an awesome braided bread! I can't wait to try it!
Very tempting! Looks so yummy in the photo. And I can never get enough strawberry recipes.
wow that look amazing! I've never seen anything like it!
Ooo…I love bread! And this looks really tempting, daaaahling! Enjoy & have a wnderful day.
Cheers, Kristy
This looks like something straight out of Gourmet Magazine. Stunning!
Gorgeous! I just made this recently too but with lemon curd.