Whole Wheat Braided Bread

1. In a big mixing bowl, add in the yeast, warm water and sugar together. Mix a bit and let it stand for 15 minutes so the yeast has the time to bubble.

2. Add the milk, eggs, salt and 1 cup of flour to the yeast mixture and mix well together before adding the remaining flour, 1 cup at the time. If you have an electric mixer, I suggest you start with the regular whipping attachment and you transfer to the dough attachment when you’re adding the remaining flour till it forms a ball that cleans the side of the bowl.

3. Transfer your ball of dough on a lightly floured surface (this is where you will need some upper body strength) and knead the dough for about 10 minutes. I know it might sound like a lot but it’s so worth it. Try not to cheat on the kneading because that’s what makes your bread puffier and fluffier. As time passes, you’ll feel the dough’s texture changing a bit and by the last 2 minutes, it will be a lot easier to knead because of all the air pockets you added by working the dough.

4. When that is done, place the ball of dough in another big mixing bowl that you previously greased. Cover the bowl with a warm, damp and clean white rag and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm place.

5. When the dough has doubled in size, punch it to remove the excess air and form another ball with it. Once the ball is formed, split it in half then split each ball in 3. In the end, you should have in front of you 6 mini balls of dough. Take each ball and roll them into 6 ropes approximately 12 inches in length. Take the ropes and pinch the ends to merge them together before braiding them. Tuck each end under the bread and transfer it to a baking sheet covered in semolina flour. Cover again with a warm and damp rag and let rise again for 1 hour.

6. When the breads doubles in size again, brush with egg white and add toasted sesame seeds on the top as decoration. Put the bread in a preheated 350ºF oven for 25 to 30 minutes (mine took exactly 26 minutes). Transfer onto a cooling rack when it’s done and enjoy!