Grandmas Bohemian Braid Recipes

CHRISTMAS BRAID

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour and yeast. In a saucepan, heat milk, sugar, butter and salt to 120°-130°; add to flour mixture. Add egg. Beat on low speed with electric mixture for 30 seconds; increase speed to medium and continue beating for 3 minutes. Stir in raisins, candied fruit, nuts an enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours. Divide dough in thirds, then divide each into thirds again. Roll each piece into a 15-in. rope. Place 3 ropes 1 in. apart on greased baking sheet. Begin braiding loosely in the middle and work toward the ends. Pinch ends together and tuck under. Repeat with remaining ropes. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30-40 minutes. Combine egg yolk and water; brush over braids. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until browned. Cool on wire racks.

GRANDMA'S CHEESE BRAID

Steps:

• Mix 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, sugar and undissolved dry yeast in a large mixer bowl.
• Combine yogurt, water and butter in a saucepan.
• Heat over low heat until liquids are very warm (120-130^F).
• Gradually add yogurt mixture to dry ingredients in bowl and beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Beat eggs.
• Reserve 1 T of beaten eggs for topping.
• Add remaining eggs, 1 cup flour, and 1 1/2 cups cheese to mixer bowl.
• Beat at high speed to make a stiff dough.
• Turn out on lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease top.
• Cover and let rise in a warm place free from drafts, until doubled in bulk, about an hour.
• Punch dough down.
• Turn onto a lightly floured board and divide in half; divide each half into 3 equal pieces.
• Shape each piece into a 12 inch rope.
• Braid 3 ropes together.
• Pinch ends together to seal and place in a greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.
• Repeat with remaining 3 ropes.
• Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk again, about 1 hour.
• Combine reserved tablespoon of beaten egg with milk.
• Brush over loaves.
• Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
• Bake in preheated 375 degree oven 30 to 35 minutes or until done.
• I always check the temperature of any yeast bread that I make with an instant read thermometer.
• It should be about 205^F.
• Remove from pans and cool on wire rack.

HOSKA - CZECHOSLOVAKIAN CHRISTMAS BREAD

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm water until bubbly. To the warm milk add soft butter, salt, sugar, vanilla, spices and orange rind. Let cool to lukewarm.
• Add yeast mixture and beaten eggs and mix well. Sift in 4 cups flour, stirring well, add raisins and nuts alternately. Then add remaining flour, beat until dough does not stick to bowl.
• Turn out on floured board and knead until smooth and elastic about 8 or 10 minutes. Put in greased bowl, cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours. Punch down dough and divide in half. This make 2 loaves.
• Cut 4 large and 5 smaller portions, roll each into long rolls. Braid the 4 rolls forming a loaf. Put on pan lined with greased brown paper. Braid the 3 smaller rolls and place on top, then remaining 2 pieces on top.
• Brush with beaten egg whites in a little water. Let rise to double in bulk. For rich crust brush with melted butter during baking. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, lower temperature to 325 degrees for 45 minutes longer depending on how you like it.

GRANDMA'S BOHEMIAN BRAID

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in milk, sugar and salt. Beat in eggs and butter. Add four cups of flour one cup at a time beating until well mixed. Add remaining flour and knead 7 to 10 minutes. Let rise twice, until at least double in size, about 60 minutes each time. Knead in remaining ingredients. Divide into equal parts depending on number of braided loaves. Then divide each of these into three even pieces. Roll each piece into 14" long strands. Braid three strands loosely on greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 45-60 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes. Ice with powdered sugar glaze while warm and decorate with green or red cherries and pecan halves.