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Cozy Cinnamon Sugar Fall Harvest Braided Bread

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A beautifully braided bread filled with spiced apples and topped with a caramelized cinnamon sugar crust. Perfect for fall brunches, Thanksgiving, or cozy weekend mornings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
  • ½ cup warm milk (110°F)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 medium apples, peeled and diced small (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk (110°F) with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
  2. Make the dough: In a stand mixer bowl, whisk together flour, remaining sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add softened butter, eggs, and yeast mixture. Mix on low speed with dough hook until shaggy, then knead on medium for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. (Alternatively, knead by hand for 10-12 minutes.)
  3. First rise: Shape dough into a ball, place in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 ½ hours until doubled.
  4. Cook the apple filling: While dough rises, melt 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples and cook 3-4 minutes. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour; cook 2-3 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and let cool completely.
  5. Shape the braid: Punch down dough and roll into a 12×10-inch rectangle. Cut 1-inch wide strips along the long sides, leaving a 3-inch center section. Spread cooled apple filling down the center. Fold strips over filling, alternating left to right, to create a braid. Tuck ends under.
  6. Second rise: Transfer braid to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise 30-40 minutes until puffy. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  7. Bake: Brush risen braid with half of the melted butter. Mix remaining sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle generously over top. Bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped. Tent with foil if browning too fast.
  8. Finish & cool: Remove from oven, brush with remaining melted butter. Cool on baking sheet 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Wait at least 20 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Don’t overfill the braid; stick to the measurements. Use room temperature ingredients. Don’t skip the second rise. Check doneness with a thermometer (internal temp 190-200°F). The bread tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: braided bread, cinnamon sugar, apple bread, fall recipe, harvest bread, sweet bread, yeast bread

Find it online: https://livelybite.com/cozy-cinnamon-sugar-fall-harvest-braided-bread/