Colombian Milk-Based Braided Bread

Recipe Instructions

• Place the yeast in a small bowl and add some lukewarm water (around ½ cup or less), and add one of the tablespoons of sugar. Mix it and leave it aside for 10 minutes. This is to activate or “proof” the yeast.
• While you wait for the yeast, start preparing the bread dough.
• In a mixing bowl, add 4 cups of flour (preferably bread flour), 2sp salt, and the remaining 4 tbsp of sugar. Mix it for a couple of 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 milk 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.
• On a clean counter, add some flour onto the surface to ensure the dough doesn’t stick to it. Transfer the dough to the counter.
• 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.
• Let the dough rise to twice its size in a warm and dark place for about 1 hour.
• Knead the dough for another 5-10 minutes.
• This dough is enough to make 1 very large loaf of bread, two large loaves, or 3 medium-sized loaves. Divide the dough into parts of equal size depending on how many loaves of bread you wish 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, 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 sheet with olive oil (I like to cover it with aluminum foil first) and put your loaf of bread on it. Let it rest for 45 min to 1 hour so it rises again.
• Preheat the oven to 365^oF.
• Using a cooking brush, add the egg wash over the dough. This will help the bread get a golden color. If you wish, add shredded cheese over your bread. You may also add spices such as rosemary, sesame seeds or everything but the bagel seasoning.
• 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!