This light and tender braided egg bread is both beautiful and delicious!

Light, tender, and super flavorful braided egg bread

Egg Bread is one of my favorite homemade bread recipes to bake, though I only seem to make it for special occasions. I learned how to make it in culinary school and I’ve been hooked ever since. I mean, have you ever seen a more gorgeous loaf of bread?

This bread is so soft and tender, with a rich and slightly sweet flavor. It’s a wonderful— and stunning— accompaniment to a nice meal, but it also works really well for french toast, bread pudding, and even sandwiches.

If baking a loaf of bread like this makes you nervous, relax! Even though it looks super fancy, it’s not necessarily any more difficult than other bread recipes. I first shared this braided egg bread recipe in 2009, but today I’m giving it a complete overhaul with more information and resources. The recipe is exactly the same though, it’s tried and true!

braided egg bread dough in bowl

What is Braided Egg Bread?

Egg bread is an “enriched yeast bread”, which means it has a higher fat and sugar content than other yeast breads. It’s made with eggs, butter, honey, bread flour, yeast, salt, and water.

Why do you braid Egg Bread?

Because it’s an enriched dough it is very soft and doesn’t hold its shape well. Braiding the egg bread gives it structure during proofing and baking. You can also bake it in a loaf pan, like brioche or babka, which are also enriched dough recipes.

You can do a simple three-strand braid (as I’ve done here) or a four, five or six-strand braid, and even a round braided loaf if you’d like. Follow the links for very helpful online video tutorials that will walk you through how to make each of these shapes. Don’t be intimidated, it really is quite easy!

braiding egg bread

Can Egg Bread be Made Ahead?

Absolutely! Freshly baked bread always tastes the best, so here are a few tips for doing the work ahead of time:

  • Let the braided loaf rise in the fridge overnight. When ready to bake, let it come to room temperature first.
  • Freeze unbaked braided loaf for up to 1 month or more. Make sure that it’s double-wrapped in plastic. When ready to bake, let thaw in the fridge overnight, then let it come to room temperature and rise before sliding into the oven.
  • Freeze baked braided loaf for up to 1 month of more. You can freeze the whole loaf or a few slices. Again, make sure that it’s double-wrapped in plastic. To thaw and serve, unwrap and heat in a 325°F oven for 20-25 minutes for the full loaf, or 5 minutes for a slice. Do not let the bread thaw at room temperature or it could actually cause it to go stale.

Light, tender, and super flavorful braided egg bread

Bread baking tips

Just in case you need a little extra help baking a successful loaf of bread, here are a few resources:

You might like these other enriched dough recipes

Light, tender, and super flavorful braided egg bread

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Note: this recipe was originally published February 2009.

Light, tender, and super flavorful braided challah bread
5 from 4 reviews

Braided Egg Bread

Servings: 2 loaves
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
This light and tender braided egg bread is both beautiful and delicious!

Ingredients
 

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (113 grams), melted
  • ¾ cup honey (255 grams)
  • 1 cup water (250 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 5-6  cups bread flour (600-720 grams), divided
  • 1 envelope active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 egg , for egg wash

Instructions
 

  • Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add honey and water and heat to 120-130°F, or until very warm but not too hot to the touch.
  • Add 3 cups of the flour, salt and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add butter mixture and eggs and mix until it forms a very wet dough.
  • With the mixer fitted with a dough hook on medium speed, add the remaining flour 1/4 cup at a time. You may not need all 6 cups of the flour, or you may need more. Use only enough dough to achieve a dough that is moist and sticky, but does not actually stick and come off on your hands when handled.
  • Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, another few minutes more.
  • Place dough in lightly greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
  • Punch down dough and divide into 6 equal portions. On a clean un-floured surface, roll each portion into rope-like pieces approximately 18 inches long. Work with 3 ropes at a time to braid into two loaves, pinching and tucking the ends under.
  • Place dough on parchment paper lined sheet pans. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled again, about 45 minutes.
  • Whisk together egg and brush onto loaves. Bake at 350°F until loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when thumped, approximately 40 minutes. Cool completely before slicing.
Calories: 2126kcal, Carbohydrates: 334g, Protein: 57g, Fat: 64g, Saturated Fat: 34g, Cholesterol: 626mg, Sodium: 1381mg, Potassium: 599mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 106g, Vitamin A: 2149IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 144mg, Iron: 6mg
Course: Snack
Author: Annalise
Have you tried this recipe?I’d love to hear about it! Leave a rating and review below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram @completelydelicious with #completelydelicious.