Cinnamon Sugar Braid

In my first attempt to make this bread, I forgot to put cinnamon to make the dough and I didn't shape it very well as I was in a hurry to finish it and went to pick up the kids at school.  So I delicate last Sunday to try it again.  The aroma of the bread lead my daughter from her room to the kitchen wondering what I had been making.  It smelled so delicious and we all cut a fat slice of bread.  It was so satisfying for a Sunday treat.

I found this recipe from the library cookbook "The complete Guide to Bread Machine Baking" by Better Homes and Garden.  If you've followed me long enough, you'd know that my weakness is to knead perfect dough by hand.  This book is like a treasure to me and I give my bread machine another hug and kiss!

Cinnamon Sugar Braid


3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, cut into small cube
1 egg, beaten
3 cups bread flour
1/4 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoon instant dry yeast

For the topping:

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoon brown sugar

For the glazing:
1 egg, beaten
6 tablespoons icing sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon milk

Method:

1. Follow the sequence to put the 1st nine ingredients into the bread machine. (Always put wet ingredients first, then dry ingredients and yeast last) Select dough button. 
2. When the cycle complete, remove dough from the machine. Punch down, cover and rest 10 minutes.  (I didn't punch down but leave it in the machine for 10 mins before shaping)
3. Divide dough into thirds.  On a lightly floured workbench, roll each portions into an 18 inch long rope.  Put two ropes across at the top end and then lay the third one in between, tuck the top bits under.  
4. Sprinkle a little of cinnamon sugar onto a paper lined baking tray.  Braid the ropes into a neat shape, sprinkle 1/2 of the cinnamon sugar onto the ropes during braiding and tuck the end bits under. 
5. Leave it in a warm place for 45 minutes or until nearly double in size. (I leave it in a preheated warm oven)  
6. Brush the bread with beaten egg, sprinkle with the rest of the cinnamon sugar.  Bake in a 180c oven for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.  Meanwhile, mix the icing sugar with the milk to make icing.
7. When the bread is cool a bit, drizzle with the icing.  Enjoy the nice and warm bread!

Source: adopted and modified from the cookbook "The complete Guide to Bread Machine Baking" by Better Homes and Garden.