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Homemade Braided Bread Recipe: Oma's Easy Hefezopf

Braided Bread Recipe: Discover the classic German hefezopf, a sweet, lemon-scented bread with raisins and almonds, perfect for holidays or any day of the year!

Ingredients:

• 3½ cups (455 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp (10 g) active dry yeast
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar, divided
• ½ cup (120 ml) lukewarm milk, divided
• ½ cup (114 g) soft unsalted butter
• ½ tsp (3 g) salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp (6 g) grated lemon zest
• 1 cup (150 g) raisins
• ½ cup (120 g) chopped
• candied lemon peel
• 1 cup (110 g) slivered almonds
• 1 egg yolk
• ½ cup (50 g) sliced almonds (optional)
• 1 cup (125 g) powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Into a large mixing bowl with a dough hook attachment, add flour and make an indentation in the middle. Add yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar to the middle. Pour half the milk into the middle and using a fork, mix yeast, sugar, and milk together with a bit of the flour. Cover with a towel and let this pre-dough stand for 20 to 30 minutes.
2. Using the dough hook, stir in the rest of the milk, butter, the rest of the sugar, salt, eggs, vanilla, and lemon zest. Knead until dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Using your hands, knead in raisins, almonds, and lemon peel.
3. Place the dough into a greased bowl, cover with a towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free area until doubled, about 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Gently punch down the dough to deflate it. Divide into 3 equal parts and roll each piece into a 20-inch rope. Braid the ropes, pinching the ends and tucking them under to seal.
6. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Cover braid with towel and let rest for 15 minutes.
7. Mix egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water. Brush over top of braid. Sprinkle with sliced almonds, if using.
8. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool.
9. Mix powdered sugar with about 1 to 2 tablespoons water to make a glaze. Pour or brush glaze over braid and sprinkle with more sliced almonds.

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