Cinnamon Roll Braided Bread

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 1/4 tsp. dry active yeast
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. cinnamon for dusting
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. cinnamon
• 6 tbsp. soft butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tbsp. heavy cream or milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2-3 tsp. cream cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Dough Mixture: ---

2. 2

   In a large mixing bowl or a bowl of a stand mixer, add 1 ½ cups of warm water, 2¼ tsp. yeast & 2 tbsp. sugar.

3. 3

   Gently mix & allow it to stand until it becomes foamy/bubbly, about 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Add 3½ cups flour & 1 tsp. salt, mixing until combined with a mixing spoon or dough hook.

5. 5

   Continue to knead with the dough hook or by hand on a clean, floured surface for 5 minutes. (you might need to add more flour to handle dough)

6. 6

   Cover dough with a dish towel & let rest for at least 10 minutes on a countertop.

7. 7

   --- Filling: ---

8. 8

   Sprinkle 2 tsp. of cinnamon over the top of dough.

9. 9

   Using a rolling pin, roll dough out into a wide, thin rectangle.

10. 10

    Combine filling ingredients of 6 tbsp. softened butter, 1 cup brown sugar & 1 tbsp. cinnamon.

11. 11

    Spread filling using a pastry brush or flat blade knife evenly across dough, reaching corners.

12. 12

    --- Braiding bread: ---

13. 13

    Roll lengthwise as you would a cinnamon roll & fold log in half, pressing the seams of the dough together.

14. 14

    Using a knife or pastry cutter, cut two seems into the dough, leaving 1 inch connected at the top, so that you are left with 3 dough strands to braid.

15. 15

    Overlap pieces into a braid & pinch seam at end to seal pieces together. Place dough on parchment paper.

16. 16

    Cover with a towel & let rise once more for 30 minutes.

17. 17

    --- Bake: ---

18. 18

    Bake at 375℉ for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

19. 19

    While baking your cinnamon roll, make your glaze. Adding more powdered sugar or milk as needed for desired consistency. (optional add cream cheese)

20. 20

    Allow to cool for a least 10 minutes before drizzling glaze. (you can wait until completely cooled before applying glaze)