Braided Valentine Bread

Bake your sweetheart this delicious braided bread topped with icing and candied cherries. Recipe for braided Valentine bread makes two loaves.

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6 cups bread flour, about
• 1 tbsp active dry yeast
• 1-1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp grated lemon rind
• 1/4 tsp mace
• 1-1/4 cups milk
• 1/4 cup butter, soft
• 2 eggs
• .
• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• Warm water
• Red candied cherries, halved

Preparation:

1. In large bowl, mix together 3 cups flour, the yeast, salt, sugar, lemon, and mace.
   
   
2. Next, mix in the milk, butter, and eggs.
   
   
3. Continue to mix in remaining flour until a soft dough is formed.
   
   
4. Turn dough out onto floured board and begin to knead in the remaining flour until the dough is firm and smooth, not sticky.
   
   
5. Put dough in greased bowl. Turn dough over so that dough top is also lightly greased. Cover and let rise for about 1 hour or until double in size.
   
   
6. Punch down dough and knead for about 8 minutes. Divide dough in half and set one half back in bowl.
   
   
7. To make a braided loaf, divide dough into 3 equal pieces. Work each piece with your hands to form a long rope, about 13 inches in length. Pinch ends of the 3 dough ropes together and tightly braid the dough. Pinch ends together again. Repeat for second loaf.
   
   
8. Grease baking sheet. Place each loaf on baking sheet, cover and let rise for about 30 minutes or until double in size.
   
   
9. Preheat oven 350 degrees F.
   
   
10. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 40 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when you tap on the bread top.
    
    
11. Remove from heat and let cool to warm on rack.
    
    
12. While loaves are still warm, mix confectioner’s sugar, almond extract, and enough water to make a thick icing. Spread icing on bread and top with candied cherry halves.

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