Luxurious braided yeast bread with caramel filling: a perfect weekend treat

This caramel-filled braided yeast bread recipe is a sumptuous weekend treat that combines the traditional charm of homemade yeast bread with the sweet appeal of caramel. Each loaf is carefully crafted, starting with a rich, tender dough that is rolled out, filled with delicious caramel, then finely braided to create an exquisite texture and appearance. The result is a deliciously moist loaf with swirls of gooey caramel in every bite, making it the perfect companion to your morning coffee or tea.

Why you'll love it:

The blend of simple, comforting ingredients and the luxurious addition of caramel make this bread irresistibly appealing. The process of kneading and braiding the dough not only imbues the bread with love, but also ensures that each slice is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. The caramel provides a sweet contrast to the lightly salted and buttery dough, providing a satisfying complexity of flavors.

Perfect occasion:

This braided yeast bread is ideal for lazy weekend mornings, special brunches, or as a comforting treat to share with family and friends. It's particularly suitable for celebrations or holidays when you want to create something a little more special without leaving the comfort of your home.

Decorating Tips:

After baking, you can brush the top of the bread with a light glaze made from milk and sugar to give it a shiny, attractive finish. Sprinkle a little coarse sugar or flaked almonds on top before baking for extra crunch and a professional bakery look.

Ingredients:

• For the dough:
  • 375 ml of milk
  • 75 g of sugar (for the yeast mixture)
  • 60 g of fresh yeast
  • 600g all-purpose flour (plus 100g for later use)
  • 7 egg yolks
  • 5 g of salt
  • 120 g of sugar (for the dough)
  • 100 g butter (82% fat)
• For the filling:
  • Caramel (quantity of your choice, ready to use or homemade)

1. Start by gently warming the milk on the stove. It should be warm, not hot. Remove from the heat and add 75 g of sugar. Crumble the yeast into the milk and let sit for 20 minutes to activate.
2. In a large bowl, mix 600 g of flour, 120 g of sugar, salt and egg yolks. Gently melt the butter and let it cool slightly.
3. Once the yeast mixture has risen, add it to the flour mixture. Start kneading, then gradually incorporate the melted butter and the additional 100g flour, continuing to knead for around 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky.
4. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour.
5. Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll out one part into a rectangle, spread a generous layer of caramel on it, then roll it up. Cut the roll into three pieces and braid them together. Repeat the same process with the second piece of dough.
6. Place each braided loaf in a baking pan and let them rise for another 20 minutes.
7. Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy this decadent caramel-filled braided yeast bread as a luxurious treat that elevates any breakfast or weekend brunch to festive levels!