18 Beautiful Braided Breads

From honey challah to cheesy herb wreaths, these beautiful braided breads are almost too stunning to slice into.

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Sesame Wheat Braids

When I started making this bread, my husband and our six children liked it so much that I was baking every day! I was thrilled when the judges at our county fair gave these braids both a blue ribbon and a best of show award! —Nancy Montgomery, Hartville, Ohio
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Celebration Braid

During the holidays, I sometimes make a couple of these golden loaves a day to give as gifts. Everyone in our family loves them any time of year. The recipe originated with one for Jewish challah, which I began making over a decade ago. —Marcia Vermaire Fruitport, Michigan
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Homemade Egg Bread

People rave about this tender, delicate bread every time I serve it. The braided look is just beautiful and is actually quite easy to do. —June Mullins, Livonia, Missouri
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Cardamom Twist

This golden bread has a soft, tender texture and the perfect amount of cardamom flavor in every bite. Slices are especially good with a cream cheese spread or fresh honey butter. —Carla Miller, Pasco, Washington
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Braided Onion-Potato Loaf

Ever wonder why a bread recipe includes mashed potatoes? The potato's starchy quality absorbs liquid during the kneading stage, and it holds onto that liquid during baking. The bread finishes with a crisp, brown exterior crust and a flavorful, moist interior that helps the bread keep longer. —Joan Ranzini, Waynesboro, Virginia
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Delicious Almond Braids

Similar to an almond crescent, this coffee cake is light and flaky with a rich almond center. It’s versatile, so you can serve it for dessert, breakfast or brunch. It tastes as if it came from a high-end bakery, but packaged puff pastry dough makes it easy. —Gina Idone, Staten Island, New York
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Honey Challah

I use these shiny, beautiful loaves as the centerpiece of my spread. I love the taste of honey, but you can also add chocolate chips, cinnamon, orange zest or almonds. Leftover slices of this sweet challah recipe work well in bread pudding or for French toast. —Jennifer Newfield, Los Angeles, California
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Italian Ricotta Easter Bread

I changed our family’s traditional Easter bread by adding ricotta and a few other ingredients. The almond flavoring works wonders! — Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
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Seeded Butternut Squash Braid

Crunchy, green hulled pumpkin seeds (better known as pepitas)add a slightly nutty taste to this rich and moist bread. Because of their high oil content, pepitas can spoil quickly. Make sure you store them in the freezer to keep them fresh. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
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Roasted Red Pepper Bread

These savory loaves are moist, tender and loaded with flavor from grated Parmesan cheese and roasted sweet red peppers. They're fantastic at dinner or as an appetizer. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
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Cardamom Braid Bread

I came across this recipe in 1983 and have been making it for the holidays ever since. One year I gave away 20 loaves! —Rita Bergman, Olympia, Washington
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Rosemary Walnut Bread

I received this recipe from a friend who was moving into a new apartment. To celebrate, she made this bread to share and now it is served at many of my family functions.—Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island
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Braided Orange Wreath

All eyes will turn to this gorgeous braid when it is set on the table. This orange-scented bread will disappear in no time.—Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin

Rachel Seis
As deputy editor for Taste of Home magazine, Rachel has her hand in everything you see from cover to cover, from writing and editing articles to taste-testing recipes to ensuring every issue is packed with fun and fabulous content. She'll roll up her sleeves to try any new recipe in the kitchen—from spicy Thai dishes (her favorite!) to classic Southern comfort food (OK...also her favorite). When she's not busy thinking of her next meal, Rachel can be found practicing yoga, going for a run, exploring National Parks and traveling to new-to-her cities across the country.