Garden Herb Braid

Name: Garden Herb Braid
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 1 loaf. (16 slices).
Ingredients: 4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 3 tablespoons sugar; 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) quick-rise yeast; 1-1/2 teaspoons salt; 3/4 teaspoon each dried marjoram, thyme, parsley flakes, basil and oregano; 3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed; 3/4 teaspoon rubbed sage; 3/4 cup milk; 1/2 cup water; 1/4 cup butter, cubed; 1 egg; TOPPING:; 1 tablespoon butter, melted; 1/8 teaspoon each dried marjoram, thyme, parsley flakes, basil and oregano; 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed; 1/8 teaspoon rubbed sage

My family loves this bread, and I've made it for church dinners, too. In the summer, I like to use fresh herbs from my mom's garden. You can vary the herbs and substitute your favorites. -Martha Smith Orient, Ohio

Ingredients

4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 packages (1/4 ounce each) quick-rise yeast
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon each dried marjoram, thyme, parsley flakes, basil and oregano
3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
3/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 egg
TOPPING:
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/8 teaspoon each dried marjoram, thyme, parsley flakes, basil and oregano
1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/8 teaspoon rubbed sage

Directions

In a large bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, salt and herbs. In a saucepan, heat the milk, water and butter to 120&deg-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add egg; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
Divide dough into thirds. Shape each portion into a 15-in. rope. Place ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Cover; let rise until doubled, about 20 minutes.
Bake 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter. Combine herbs; sprinkle over bread. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 168 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 268mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

Originally published as Garden Herb Braid in Taste of Home August/September 2004

Reviews

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Average Rating:

NevadaRose

Apr 25, 2011

Nice flavor and fast to make. I think next time I will just use Italian seasoning - It has all the seasonings and not so many spice bottles to stack up.
drmcnight

Jul 5, 2010

the greatest bread! easy and so quick to make!
tohmom

Dec 15, 2009

i love this bread recipe. I never use a bread machine and this recipe is very simple to make. Personally, I skip the extra herbs and it tastes just like the bread my mom made when I was a kid. I love the braided look which is really easy to create but looks like a ton of effort. I would recommend this recipe to anyone, even people new to making bread or working with yeast.