Sweet Braided Bread

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup raisins

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup of flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and cinnamon. Add the warm water, melted butter, and egg and mix until combined.
2. Add the remaining 1 ½ cups of flour and mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
5. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and roll it out into a 15x8 inch rectangle.
6. Sprinkle the raisins over the dough and roll it up from the long edge, pinching the seam to seal.
7. Cut the roll in half lengthwise. Cross the two pieces of dough over each other in a braid shape and pinch the ends together.
8. Place the braid on a greased baking sheet and let it rise for 30 minutes.
9. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush the braid with a beaten egg and bake it for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. Let the braid cool before serving.

Interesting Facts

• This sweet, braided bread is a traditional Eastern European pastry.
• It's often served on special occasions, such as weddings and holidays.
• You can add nuts or other dried fruits to the dough for even more flavor.