Hefezopf

Discover the magic of baking with this traditional German Hefezopf, a beautifully braided sweet bread that’s as stunning as it is delicious. Made with simple yet rich ingredients like creamy milk, soft butter, and aromatic vanilla, this enriched dough achieves a tender, fluffy texture that melts in your mouth. The golden crust, brushed with an egg wash and adorned with slivered almonds, adds a delightful crunch and visual elegance to the loaf. Perfect for brunch, holidays, or afternoon coffee, this slightly sweet bread is as versatile as it is impressive. Whether toasted with butter or served plain, Hefezopf is a cherished comfort food that’s sure to become a family favorite. Ideal keywords: traditional Hefezopf recipe, German sweet bread, braided loaf, homemade bread, holiday baking.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 500 grams all-purpose flour
• 75 grams sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 7 grams instant yeast
• 250 milliliters milk
• 60 grams unsalted butter
• 1 whole egg
• 1 whole egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 for egg wash egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 30 grams slivered almonds

Directions

Step 1

In a small saucepan, heat the milk over low heat until warm but not hot, about 110°F (43°C). Remove from heat.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast.

Step 3

Melt the butter and let it cool slightly. Add the warm milk, melted butter, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.

Step 4

Using a wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a dough hook, mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

Step 5

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours.

Step 6

Punch down the dough and divide it into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope about 16 inches (40 cm) long.

Step 7

Place the three ropes side by side on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pinch the tops together and braid the dough, pinching the ends to seal.

Step 8

Cover the braided dough with a kitchen towel and let rise for another 30 minutes, until puffy.

Step 9

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 10

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of milk for the egg wash.

Step 11

Brush the egg wash over the braided loaf and sprinkle with slivered almonds.

Step 12

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 13

Allow the hefezopf to cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1071.8 grams (1071.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3124

Total Fat 95.10g	122%
Saturated Fat 40.40g	202%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.70g
Cholesterol 734mg	245%
Sodium 2689mg	117%
Total Carbohydrate 480.50g	175%
Dietary Fiber 18.60g	66%
Total Sugars 91.50g
Protein 84.70g	169%

Vitamin D 234IU	1171%
Calcium 554mg	43%
Iron 27mg	149%
Potassium 1418mg	30%

*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: 27.5%

Protein: 10.9%

Carbs: 61.7%