Grandma's Cheese Braid

Indulge in the nostalgic comfort of Grandma's Cheese Braid, a beautifully hand-braided sweet bread filled with luscious cream cheese and a hint of vanilla. This recipe combines a soft, golden yeast dough with a rich, velvety cheese filling, making every bite irresistibly tender and flavorful. Perfect for weekend breakfasts, brunches, or holiday gatherings, this show-stopping treat bakes up to a golden-brown perfection, creating a stunning centerpiece for your table. With its simple yet satisfying technique, including a classic braiding method and a creamy homemade filling, this recipe is the ultimate way to elevate your baking skills. Serve it as-is or finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of icing for an extra touch of sweetness. Treat your family and friends to this timeless baked good that's as delightful to make as it is to eat!

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:120 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:145 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 packet Dry yeast
• 1 cup Warm milk
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 2 Eggs
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 8 ounces Cream cheese (softened)
• 0.5 cup Powdered sugar
• 1 Egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (for filling)
• 1 Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water)

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, and dry yeast. Stir well and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.

Step 2

Add the melted butter, vanilla extract, eggs, and salt into the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.

Step 3

Gradually add the flour one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.

Step 4

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 5

While the dough is rising, prepare the cheese filling. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

Step 6

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and transfer it to a clean, lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal portions.

Step 7

Roll one portion of the dough into a rectangle roughly 12x16 inches in size. Place the dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 8

Spread half of the cheese filling down the center of the dough, leaving about 4 inches of dough on each side for braiding.

Step 9

With a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, make slanted cuts (about 1 inch apart) along both sides of the filling. Fold the strips over the filling, alternating sides to create a braided pattern. Repeat with the second portion of dough and the remaining filling.

Step 10

Brush the braids with the egg wash. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let them rise for an additional 20 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with icing for extra sweetness before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1522.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4830.5

Total Fat 204.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 118.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 1271.9mg	0%
Sodium 2266.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 656.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.5g	0%
Total Sugars 282.0g
Protein 97.4g	0%

Vitamin D 239.2IU	0%
Calcium 733.2mg	0%
Iron 26.5mg	0%
Potassium 1509.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.9%

Protein: 8.0%

Carbs: 54.1%