How to make a beautiful loaf of Braided Sweet Bread! This bread is soft & fluffy with just the right touch of sweetness. If you’re nervous about baking with yeast I walk you through all of the steps in detail and include a step-by-step video!
Braided Bread Perfection
There is nothing better than freshly baked homemade bread.
Unless, of course, if you ever-so-slightly sweeten that bread, enrich it with eggs (and extra yolks) and butter, beautifully braid it, and top it off with a crystallized sugar coating.
My braided sweet bread is both extremely simple but also so far from basic. It’s tender with just the right amount of gluten-y chew, fluffy with an appropriately subtle sweetness, complex in appearance but surprisingly simple to actually make. Oh, and it will make your house smell amazing.
As someone who used to fear even the sight of a sachet of yeast, let me tell you that if I can handle this recipe, you can too. I’ve come a long way in my bread baking journey, and what I’ve learned is that there’s not really much to be scared of. Today I’m walking you through all the steps so that your sweet bread comes out just like the pictures. Make sure to watch the how-to video in the recipe card and read through the whole post before beginning, and you’ll be well on your way to braided bread perfection. Let’s get to it!
What You Need
The dough that I use for today’s recipe is essentially the same as the one I use for my sticky buns. There’s a reason for that, and the reason is that this is one of the best, most tender, softest bread doughs I’ve ever made. It’s delicious, perfectly chewy and enriched with a few key ingredients.
Here’s what you need to make it:
- Milk & Water. Using milk enriches the bread, makes it more tender and makes it slightly sweeter, while the water helps encourage a fluffier crumb.
- Yeast. This can make or break your sweet bread. Make sure it isn’t expired and be sure your milk and water are heated to the proper temperature to activate it correctly. If your yeast doesn’t foam after 10 minutes, something went wrong and you must start over.
- Flour. You can use bread flour or all-purpose, see my FAQ section for more details on this.
- Salt. Most importantly this adds flavor to the bread.
- Melted butter. This is a key ingredient to enriching the bread dough.
- Eggs. We use a whole egg and an extra egg yolk. This extra yolk also helps create a perfectly enriched dough. Save the egg white! We’ll use it to brush the top of our bread.
- Sugar. I use granulated sugar to sweeten the bread and then coarse turbinado to sprinkle over the top of the bread for a crisp, sweet exterior. If you don’t have turbinado sugar, just use additional regular granulated sugar for topping.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post.
How to Braid Bread
My sister taught me to braid this bread (she spent a few years at a Subway during college) and insisted I do a 4-piece braid (rather than a classic 3-piece) because it’s “prettier”. I agree with her. While it might seem complex, it’s really quite simple. Here’s how it’s done:
- After your dough has risen, gently deflate it and divide into four pieces.
- Roll each piece into a 15″ rope. If the dough is stick you can very lightly flour your hands, but don’t over-do it. Too much flour makes it difficult to work with the ropes. Arrange the ropes in a row.
- Take your rope that’s furthest to the right and cross that over the rope immediately to its left.
- Now weave that same rope beneath the next rope (second from the left).
- Now with that same strand, cross over the rope all the way to the left.
- Repeat! Start again with the rope all the way to the right and cross that over the rope directly to its left…
- and then under the next rope…
- and then over the left-most rope.
- Repeat until you reach the end then smoosh those ends together really well and tuck them neatly underneath the bread. You have half of your bread braided at this point, now work from the center and repeat the steps above until you have braided the other half of the bread and tucked the ends.
You’ll notice that we start with the center of the bread. This is how I was taught and not only does this make it easier, it also helps make for a more symmetrical bread than if we just started from one end.
Tip: Braid your bread directly on the baking sheet! This is easier than braiding it on your counter and then trying to move it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! If using instant yeast, whisk together the yeast, sugar, salt, and half the flour. Then add your warmed milk and water and stir well, then stir in butter and eggs and then add additional flour as needed.
I recommend using either all-purpose or bread flour. Bread flour yields a slightly chewier bread (and good bread should be a little chewy!).
Do not substitute self-rising flour. A portion of the flour could be swapped out for whole wheat flour but you’ll need a bit less flour overall as the dough will be more dry.
Here’s a little run-down on the differences in the flours, if you’re into that sort of thing!
The best way is to use an instant-read thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the center of the bread, it should read 190F (87C) once it’s finished baking.
More Recipes You Might Like
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! Make sure to check out the how-to VIDEO in the recipe card!
Sweet Bread (Braided Bread)
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk (236ml)
- ⅓ cup water (80ml)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ⅓ cup + 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (70g) + 1 teaspoon
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk save egg white for brushing top
- 2 teaspoons table salt
- 4 – 5 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour¹ (500-625g)
- coarse sugar or granulated sugar for sprinkling on top (I use about 3 Tablespoons)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Combine milk and water in a heatproof bowl and heat in 30-second increments until mixture reaches a temperature between 105-115F (40-46C). Always stir before temping!1 cup whole milk, ⅓ cup water
- Pour milk mixture into a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and stir in yeast and one teaspoon granulated sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes or until a foam cap has formed on the surface (if mixture does not foam you will need to start over).2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, ⅓ cup + 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- Once foamy, add remaining ⅓ cup sugar, melted butter, egg and egg yolk, salt, and 2 cups (250g) of flour and stir well to combine.5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 egg + 1 egg yolk, 2 teaspoons table salt, 4 – 5 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour¹
- Gradually add additional flour while stirring (if using a stand mixer use a dough hook on low-speed) until dough clings to itself and forms a ball that is pulling away from the sides of the bowl (scrape bowl as needed). You may not use all of the flour indicated, or you may even need more, go by texture (and see the video if you need visual clues)! When ready, the dough should be slightly tacky to the touch but not so sticky that it cant be managed with your bare hands.
- If using a stand mixer, stir on low speed with dough hook until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. If working by hand, transfer dough to a clean surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 5-10 minutes).
- Lightly oil a large bowl and place dough inside, turning to coat the entire surface lightly with oil. Cover and allow to rise in a warm draft-free place until doubled in size (1-2 hours).
- When dough has doubled, gently deflate and divide into 4 even pieces. Roll each into a 15” rope.
To Make the Braid:
- Lay the 4 strands beside each other on a baking sheet/cookie sheet (I do not recommend lining with parchment paper). Rather than start from one end of the bread and work to the other, I always start from the center (this helps ensure an even braid). I find it helpful to mentally label these pieces 1, 2, 3, and 4 (with 1 being your piece to the far left and 4 on the far right).
- Starting from the center, weave strand 4 over the piece beside it (3), beneath the next one (2) and then over the left-most strand (1).
- Repeat this process, always starting with your furthest-right piece, keeping the strands snug.
- Once you reach the end, press/smash the ends together tightly and fold underneath the braid. Then turn the baking pan 180 degrees and work from the center to complete the other side, following the same steps as above.
- Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a clean towel and allow the bread to rise again for 30-40 minutes in a warm, draft-free place. While it is rising, preheat your oven to 375F (190C).
- Once bread has risen again, lightly brush with reserved egg white and sprinkle with coarse sugar (or regular granulated sugar) and bake for 20 minutes or an instant-read thermometer reads 190F (87C). Enjoy!coarse sugar or granulated sugar
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Joani
This. Bread looks so pretty and yummy. I want to make it bu;t right now all I have is salted butter. Will it hurt if I use it ??
Sam
Nope that will be fine, enjoy!
Candy
Can I add raisins to this bread?
And when would be the best time ?
Thank you!! Excellent recipe!!
Sam
Hi Candy! Yes you can add raisins. I would add them in step 4. 🙂
Candy
Thank you!! Do you recommend soaking the raisins in water before adding them ?
This bread is unbelievable!! My family loves it ! I can’t make it fast enough :).
Sam
You certainly could if you want. I probably would if I had the time to do it. 🙂
Tiffany
So good, first time making bread in 20 years! Definitely a must
Lori
Hi, I’m wondering if I can make this into small regular loaves? I’m in need of a yeast sweet bread to use for communion for Christmas this year. Thank you!!!
Sam
Hi Lori! I think that would work great! Enjoy!
Lori
Thank you!
Lori
I forgot to ask if 2% milk is ok instead of whole milk?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
That should work fine! Enjoy ❤️
Kate
This is so good!! The recipe was really easy and the walkthrough for the braiding came in handy. This will become a regular in our household! Thanks for another amazing recipe!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Kate! 🙂
Jenna
This is the first bread I’ve ever made and it was amazing! Thank you so much for this recipe and your video!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Wonderful! We’re so happy it turned out so well, Jenna ❤
Jerry
This bread deserves TEN stars. Baked it, buttered the top, let it cool just a little, had a slice, had another slice and so on 4 all together, don’t judge me just try it. Thank you for the recipe and doing all the work.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Jerry ❤ We are so happy you enjoyed it so much!!
Sheri Balsoma
Beautiful Braided Bread!
Thank you for sharing!
Question: Can I prepare the dough the night before, braid it then let it rise before popping it in the oven the next day?
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sam
Hi Sheri! I would worry about the dough over-proofing if you let it sit overnight.
Kiran matharu
Hello will just doing the three roll braid affect this recipe at all? Thank you
Sam
It should work just fine to do it with the 3 braids. 🙂
April
This turned out amazing! I make bread once or twice a week and felt like something different today. The recipe is easy to follow, and it comes together perfectly while slowly adding the flour. I ended up using around 4 1/3 c and produced a pillowy dough. The braid is easier than it looks and you’ll feel proud once you get it together. I think it would go well with a spicy soup, or add a cream cheese frosting drizzle for a dessert!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy your sweet bread was such a success, April! Thanks for giving our recipe a try and coming back to leave a review 😊
Adriana
This recipe is excellent, the video made it easy to follow the steps. The bread was so fluffy with the right amount of sugar. I’ll make it again 🙂
Kimberlee
I used canned coconut milk and it was amazing. My sons ask me to make it all the time. In fact he just walked in and asked again. So tomorrow I’m making it!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thanks so much for letting us know how that substitution worked for you, Kimberlee! Enjoy the bread 😊
Kristen Eben
I was a personal banker and one of my customers would bring in Sweet Bread each year for Christmas. The bread was delicious and soft and sweet and braided. I never had any bread taste like it before! I asked him for the recipe each year but he told me it was his Norwegian family’s secret recipe! Bummer! So for the past 5 years, I have been making different breads trying to find something that mimics that recipe and this Sweet Bread recipe is very close. But this is so tasty, that I don’t care anymore to find his recipe. I make breads and cookies for family, friends, church members and neighbors on a regular basis but this bread has been the award winning conversation piece! Many people in my circle of influence want the recipe but I sort of want to keep it to myself as it took me years to find the perfect concoction 😀 Great job on this recipe. 5 stars from me and my husband! Currently whipping up another batch now. God be with you.
Sam
Thank you so much, Kristen! I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Julie Amstutz
Braid awesome. Can I use same dough and make rolls.
Sam
Hi Julie! That should work just fine. 🙂
Linda L.
I am trying to replicate my grandmother’s Easter Bread recipe from Croatia and use this as the base. She added saffron to the milk and 1 tsp each of lemon, almond and vanilla extract. Will adding this extra 3 tsp of liquid have an impact on the dough ? Love your cake recipes so I wanted to give this a try.
Sam
Hi Linda! The added extracts shouldn’t cause you any issues. I hope you love it! 🙂