Cinnamon Braid

Sunday afternoons are the time we like to spend as a family, around hearth and home, so to speak.  Our evening meal is generally the biggest meal of the week, and I try to include something special that I think the whole family would enjoy.  This week, I made a Cinnamon Braid for dessert.  Absolutely delicious!  And at least 2 of the kids declared it to be the best dessert ever.

The first part is easily done in the bread machine and takes out the need for kneading the bread. 

1 cup water 
1 egg 
3 tbsp butter 
1/4 cup sugar 
3/4 tsp salt 
4 cups whole wheat bread flour 
2 1/4 tsp yeast 

Put all ingredients into bread machine on Dough setting. When this finishes (1.5 hours on my machine) pull the dough out and split it into 2 balls. Roll out each to about 8"x14" rectangles. Melt 4-5 tbsp butter and mix in 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/3 cup brown sugar for each braid. Pour 1/2 of the mixture down the center of the dough. Slice angular cuts up each side of the dough like below: 

Fold the sections over the center like below:

When you are finished it should look something like this: 

Let rise in the oven (not turned on) for 30 minutes. Then spread the remainder of sugar/butter mixture on outside of braid like this:

Set the oven at 350 and when it is hot, bake for 30 minutes.

We served ours with a dollop of whipped cream (1 cup of whipping cream beat until thick, add 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla then beat again until stiff)

Philip thoroughly enjoyed his!