Valentine Braided Bread

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This braided bread, formed in the shape of a heart and topped with cinnamon nut streusel and almond glaze, makes a festive display and will delight your Valentine.

 

Valentine Braided Bread

Dough

• 5-1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 envelopes Fleischmann’s RapidRise Yeast
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1-1/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 2 eggs

Cinnamon-Nut Topping

• 1/2 cup butter OR margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Almond Glaze

• 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

:

Makes:1 heart
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Proof Time: 45 minutes
Bake Time: 20-25 minutes

Combine 2 cups flour, sugar, undissolved yeast and salt in a mixing bowl. Heat milk, water and shortening until very warm (120º to 130ºF). Gradually add to flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs and 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Roll dough to 12 x 9-inch rectangle; spread with softened butter. Combine sugars, cinnamon, almond extract and pecans; sprinkle evenly over dough. Cut into 1-inch strips; reserve 2 strips. From remaining strips, take 2 at time and twist together. Arrange twists in heavily greased 12-inch heart pan. Place reserved strips around edge of pan on top of twists. Join ends together; pinch to seal. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Bake at 375ºF for 20 to 25 minutes or until done. Let cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan; complete cooling on wire rack. Combine Almond Glaze ingredients; drizzle over bread.

Recipe Note: Instead of a 12-inch heart pan, use two 9-inch heart pans. Or form two long strips into a heart and place on well greased baking sheet.

Used with permission: Photo and recipe Courtesy © 2009 ACH Foods. All Rights Reserved.