Braided Loaf with Poppy Seeds

A very simple yeast bread dough is divided into four strands and braided to form an elegant loaf. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds before baking. It is crispy and flaky on the outside and soft tender on the inside. Braiding 4 strands of dough can be tricky, but the technique isn't hard to master and it's actually easier than you think. Here is a video on How to braid a 4-strand loaf.

7 g Dry yeast
2 tsp Coconut sugar or raw brown sugar
200 ml Warm water
350 g All-purpose or bread flour
1 tsp Sea salt
4 tbsp Olive oil
1 Egg, lightly beaten
1/2 tbsp Poppy seeds
1 tsp Sea salt

Place yeast, sugar and warm water in a jug. Whisk with a fork until yeast has dissolved. Stand in a warm place for 10 minutes or until frothy.
Sift flour into the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Stir in salt, yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix on low speed to form a soft dough. Increase the speed and knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 7 minutes.
Turn out the dough and shape into a ball. Lightly grease the mixing bowl and return the dough to the bowl. Cover and set aside in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Using your fist, punch dough down. Knead until smooth.
Line a pullman pan with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 4 even portions. Roll each portion into a 35-cm strand, slightly tapering the ends. Form into a plait, tucking the ends under. Place it into the prepared loaf pan.
Cover with lightly greased plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm place for 50 minutes or until dough has almost doubled in size. Preheat oven to 200C/180C fan-forced/400F.
Brush dough top with egg. Sprinkle with poppy seeds and salt. Bake for 25-35 minutes until nicely golden and crunchy. Cool on a wire rack, then serve with poppy seed spread or butter, if desired.

37 comments:

Nancy Chan 2/12/20 10:11: You make beautiful braided loaf with poppy seeds. If my hubby loves bread, I will happy bake for him. I seldom make bread because he prefers noodles.
Julie 2/12/20 10:38: looks a lovely loaf,would love to have a slice :)
Tom 2/12/20 11:42: ...it sure looks delish, keep on baking!
Kitchen Riffs 2/12/20 14:48: I love poppy seeds in -- or on! -- baked goods. Particularly bread. This looks terrific. Thanks.
Suja Manoj 2/12/20 15:37: Lovely loaf of bread, looks super yum.
Sakuranko 2/12/20 15:53: This bread looks so fluffy and delicious
xx
Anonymous 2/12/20 18:41: You make the most beautiful breads, Angie! I'd love a slice of this!
Torviewtoronto 2/12/20 21:06: beautiful loaf with the poppy seeds looks healthy with the spread
Martyna 2/12/20 21:50: I'd like to try this bread :)
Abbe@This is How I Cook 2/12/20 21:58: A beautiful loaf Angie. It reminds me of challah. And yum! All those poppy seeds!
Josiah - DIY Thrill 3/12/20 00:18: This loaf with poppy seeds looks moist and delicious!
Valentina 3/12/20 05:31: Gorgeous loaf of bread! Do you have a recipe for the poppy seed spread? The two together sound delectable. :-) ~Valentina
Angie's Recipes 3/12/20 05:54: @ValentinaSure :-) This one or this sweetened with dates and coconut syrup is my favourite.
Iwona 3/12/20 05:59: Amazing bread :) I love poppy seeds :)
savorthebest 3/12/20 06:07: Beautiful loaf of bread! I love the braid, it makes such a pretty presentation
speedy70 3/12/20 08:44: Complimenti, un pane meraviglioso!!!
rodzinatestuje 3/12/20 13:30: It looks so delicious! I would like try it. It must be great!
Eva Taylor 3/12/20 13:52: What a gorgeous braid. My dear Mom used to make a wonderful brioche braid every Christmas, such a fond memory.
Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/
Victoria 3/12/20 14:00: L'd like to cook it! Thank you very much for the post!
Chilton programs 3/12/20 14:50: This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
MunatyCooking 3/12/20 14:53: It's a beautiful loaf Angie, it came out perfect. I never used coconut sugar I guess it's time I try it out!
foodtravelandwine 3/12/20 17:05: I love your bread!....I have to try this shape....fantastic!!........Abrazotes, Marcela
Pam 3/12/20 18:26: Another beautiful loaf!
Lizardlady1986@gmail.com 3/12/20 22:23: Random question. Do you still have the recipe for the catnip cake? I tried looking it up again but it says page not found. Any chance I could get it from you?
R's Rue 3/12/20 22:40: Yum
tigerfish 3/12/20 23:35: The poppy seeds gave it that charred look but it's not charred :p lovely bread
2pots2cook 4/12/20 13:40: Beautiful to have a slice with my morning coffee !
Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine 4/12/20 13:55: This looks marvelous I love how creative you are amazing!
Natalia 4/12/20 15:11: Sooo pretty! Poppy seeds are very popular here this time of the year😊
Tanza Erlambang 4/12/20 15:14: Love Poppy seeds...your bread smells good.

Have a great weekend
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary 4/12/20 17:18: I love seeing your bread recipes, Angie!! You always make beautiful loaves and this is no exception!! The braid is perfect, that fluffy interior is to die for and the poppy seeds are a wonderful touch!!!
Pattie @ Olla-Podrida 4/12/20 18:57: Bread is one of my weaknesses. This is so beautiful and I imagine very delicious. I would really like a slice NOW!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss 4/12/20 23:01: I've never tried braiding dough before but I really need to change that! This is gorgeous!
Ron 5/12/20 16:55: Likely one of my greatest cooking frustration is never getting the braiding correct. Mine have never looked as fantastic as your braided loaf. I think getting the braid right is just too much for my semi
dyslectic mind.
SavoringTime in the Kitchen 6/12/20 17:35: I love poppy seeds on bread! Even more delicious looking with the beautiful braided shape. Well done, Angie!
Raymund 8/12/20 06:37: Again another nice bread! youre so talented Angie
Paula Montenegro 10/12/20 20:27: I love poppy seeds AND braided breads, so this is just perfect! And the 4 strand braid is something I never tried before. Thanks for sharing!