‘Pletenica’— This is a beautiful 6-Braid Slovenian sweet bread. It would make a perfect addition on your holiday table. Dober tek!
1 3/4 cups water
1 1/2 packages active dry yeast (about 3 1/2 tsp’s)
1/2 cup sugar plus 1 Tbsp
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
5 large eggs
1 tablespoon salt
8 to 8 1/2 cups AP Robin Hood flour
*optional: Poppy or sesame seeds for sprinkling on top
1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 Tbsp sugar in 1 3/4 cups lukewarm water
2. Whisk oil and yeast and gradually beat in 4 eggs, one at a time. Slowly add in remaining sugar and salt. Gradually add in 8 cups of flour, *if required; add in more flour about 1 Tbsp at a time. When the dough holds together and comes off the bowl it is ready for kneading. (You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook or knead and mix by hand.)
3. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until dough is smooth. Grease a large bowl with oil, return dough to bowl. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size. I like to place the bowl in the oven with the light on. After one hour, punch down dough, cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
4. Divide and braid the dough using a 6 braid pattern. (YouTube has step by step tutorials - Amy Kanarek's bread braiding demo is really easy to follow) or if you wish divide the dough and make two loaves using a 3-braid pattern.
5. Let rise for one hour. Then brush loaves with egg wash.
6. Bake in a 375F oven for 35-40 minutes until nice and golden. Cool bread on a rack.
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Made with Love,
❤️ Michelle XO
