Colombian Water-Based Braided Bread

Recipe Instructions

• In a small bowl, combine yeast, lukewarm water (½ cup or less), and one tablespoon of sugar. Mix it well, and set it aside for 10 minutes. This is used to activate or “proof” the yeast.
• While you wait for the yeast, start preparing the bread dough.
• In a mixing basin, combine 4 cups flour (ideally bread flour), 2 teaspoons salt, and the remaining 4 tablespoons sugar. Mix for a few minutes.
• Add the butter and egg. Mix until both are incorporated into the bowl.
• Add the cheese and mix for 2-3 minutes.
• recommend using a spatula to push down any flour that may be accumulating on the sides of the mixing bowl.
• Your yeast should be ready now.
• Add your yeast and mix again.
• Now, add the rest of the water slowly until the dough is smooth and elastic but is not sticky.
• The dough is ready when it forms a single mass and there is no more flour on the bottom or sides of the bowl.
• We are now ready to knead our dough.
• Sprinkle flour on a clean counter to prevent the dough from sticking. Transfer the dough to the countertop.
• Knead the dough for about 10 minutes. If the dough feels too sticky, add more flour until it is no longer sticky. Make sure you don’t add too much and dry the dough.
• Grease a big bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl.
• Cover the bowl with sealing paper.
• Allow the dough to rise in a warm, dark location for around 1 hour until it has doubled in size.
• Knead the dough for another 5-10 minutes.
• This dough is sufficient to produce one very large loaf of bread, two large loaves, or three medium loaves. Divide the dough into equal-sized portions based on how many loaves of bread you want to make.
• For each loaf, divide again into three equal parts.
• Knead each part of the dough into long and thin strings.
• Take 3 strings and put together the tips. Pinch them together.
• Now, braid the strings just like you would braid your hair. When done, pinch the other 3 tips. Fold the tips down.
• You have made a braided loaf.
• Grease your baking pan with olive oil (I prefer to cover it with aluminum foil beforehand) and place your loaves of bread on it. Allow it to rest for 45 minutes to an hour until it rises again.
• Preheat the oven to 365^oF.
• Using a culinary brush, apply the egg wash to the dough. This will help the bread turn a golden hue. If desired, sprinkle shredded cheese over the bread. You can also add spices like rosemary and sesame seeds, or even the seasoning called everything but the bagel.
• Bake for 25 minutes, or until the bread is fully baked. The bread should sound hollow when you tap it.
• Let the bread rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting it.
• Enjoy it with a hot cup of Colombian coffee!