Pantry Secrets Bread (Bread Braid)

Pantry Secrets Bread Recipe

This is the one Jessie discovered that makes the yummy Raspberry Braid and so many other great things

Dissolve together - and let foam (if you want to).

4 c. warm water

3 rounded Tbs. SAF instant yeast

1 Tbs. sugar

Add:

1 Tbs. salt

½ c. sugar

1/4 C Vital wheat gluten (mom adds this - it's not in the original recipe)

10½ c. bread flour (Mom does 6 whole wheat, and mix with beaters, then add about 3 white bread flour with the hook. About 8-10 C total).

3 Tbs. soy lecithin (Mom and Jessie use oil instead).

Knead for 5 min. until thoroughly mixed. Dough will be very sticky. Spray clean counter and pans with non-stick cooking spray. Shape loaves (4), Braids (4), Rolls, or Bread sticks. (Mom does 3 loaves about 1.5lbs each and a little loaf leftover). Let raise 25 minutes. Bake at 350º for 25 min (15-18 min. for rolls and bread sticks.)

To make a bread braid:

Roll dough to the size of a cookie sheet. Place dough on sheet, stretch to fit if needed. Cut down each side in about 3 inches and one inch apart, leaving about 3 inches down the middle. Put filling down the middle

And criss-cross to create braid effect beginning at the top.

Cream Cheese Fruit Braid Filling

4 oz. softened cream cheese

½ c. powdered sugar

½ tsp. vanilla

Sprinkle fresh or frozen fruit or pie filling over cream cheese filling.

Frost while warm (2 c. powdered sugar, ¼ c. soft butter, ½ tsp. vanilla, and 2 Tbs. water.)

Beef Enchilada Braid Filling Southwest Chicken Braid Filling

1½ lbs. cooked lean ground beef ½ c. corn

1 pkg. taco seasoning mix ½ c. black beans

2 c. cheddar cheese 1 can green chilies

1 can chopped olives ½ c. salsa

½ c. enchilada sauce 1 c. cheddar cheese

¼ c. onion

Stuffed Steak Braid Filling ½ can cream of chicken soup

Sauté 1½ Tbs. taco seasoning

1 c. green pepper *sauce ½ can cream of chicken

½ c. onion soup and ½ c. salsa warmed

2 Tbs. butter

Add

1 lb. thinly sliced steak (cook thoroughly)

Add

3 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce

½ tsp. pepper

Spread over middle of braid and sprinkle with 1 c. mozzarella cheese