Cranberry Braid Bread

I had some leftover cranberry sauce from thanksgiving that I wanted to get rid off,so I decided to make some sort of bread.I've baked cakes before, but its my first time baking bread and it turned out quite good.I think this will do great as a breakfast or tea time bread.Theres nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread in the house.

Preparation time: 60 minutes

Serves:1 large loaf

Ingredients:

3 cups all purpose flour

1 pinches salt

1 egg  +1 eggyolk

1 tablespoon active dry yeast

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 cup lukewarm milk

4 tablespoons melted butter

1/2 cup cranberry orange sauce(see recipe here)

Procedure:

1.Warm 1/4 cup water and add the yeast and sugar to it and set aside for 10 minutes,It will rise and foam.

2.Melt 4 tablespoons butter.

3.Take the flour and salt in a bowl.

4.Beat 1 egg in a bowl.

5.Warm the milk.

6.Now after the yeast has risen add the butter, the yeast.milk and the egg to the flour and mix well.

7.Now add the remaining half tablespoon butter and knead well to a smooth stretchy dough. 

8.Cover and let raise for about 1-2 hours.It will double in size.

You can either bake this making small roundles as is for plain bread or follow below steps for cranberry bread.

9.Cranberry braid can be done in two ways, flatten out a rectangle shape from the dough,place cranberry sauce in center, cut braids on the side and braid it like you put a plait on the hair.

10.The other way is to just mix the cranberry sauce in with the dough and make three ropes and braid it like you put a plait on the hair.

11.Place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper,brush the egg yolk on top and bake for 20-25 minutes on 375 degrees F in the middle rack or until the top is golden.

12.Let cool completely and slice with a grated knife.

Tips:

Make sure your cranberry sauce doesn't have any liquid or your bread will become soggy.

After the bread has risen don't knead, it will lose the air and become a thick bread.

You can substitute cranberry sauce with any jam to make a breakfast bread.

In step 6 knead for a good 2-3 minutes,kneading will help the gluten build in the flour and give a spongy bread.

You can have it as is,or with tea or coffee or with peanut butter or cream cheese.