Sugar-Free Hefezopf

Indulge in the soft, pillowy delight of a traditional German Hefezopf—made entirely sugar-free! This braided sweetbread is crafted with all-purpose flour, rich butter, and a natural sugar substitute like erythritol, making it both flavorful and perfect for those seeking a low-sugar lifestyle. A touch of vanilla extract enhances its aroma, while an egg wash gives the loaf its irresistible golden sheen. With its fluffy texture and subtly sweet flavor, this Sugar-Free Hefezopf is ideal for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon treat with coffee. Ready in just over two hours, this beautiful braided bread delivers bakery-style perfection right from your own oven!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:90 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:115 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 500 grams all-purpose flour
• 7 grams active dry yeast
• 250 ml milk
• 80 grams butter
• 50 grams erythritol (or preferred sugar substitute)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 unit large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 unit egg yolk (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)

Directions

Step 1

Warm the milk slightly until it's lukewarm (not hot to the touch) in a small saucepan or in the microwave.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine the lukewarm milk, active dry yeast, and erythritol. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.

Step 3

Add the melted butter, vanilla extract, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture.

Step 4

Gradually add the flour into the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.

Step 5

Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it's smooth and elastic.

Step 6

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

Step 7

Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into three equal pieces.

Step 8

Roll each piece into a long rope, about 30-40 cm long.

Step 9

Braid the three ropes together to form a loaf and pinch the ends to seal.

Step 10

Place the braided loaf onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 11

Cover with a damp towel and let it rise again for about 30 minutes.

Step 12

Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).

Step 13

Make the egg wash by whisking together the egg yolk and milk.

Step 14

Brush the top of the bread with the egg wash for a shiny, golden finish.

Step 15

Bake the Hefezopf in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 16

Let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(987.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2720.5

Total Fat 86.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 43.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.2g
Cholesterol 583.2mg	0%
Sodium 2983.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 449.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.0g	0%
Total Sugars 16.1g
Protein 73.1g	0%

Vitamin D 195.2IU	0%
Calcium 477.7mg	0%
Iron 24.8mg	0%
Potassium 1216.6mg	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: 27.1%

Protein: 10.2%

Carbs: 62.7%