Egg Braid Bread

Egg Braid Bread
Serves: 12

This recipe makes two loaves of bread. My cousin, Lori McCasland, from Slater, Iowa gave me this recipe and it is a must have at all family dinners. Nothing better than homemade bread!

1 1/3 cups warm  water
3 beaten eggs
2 2/3 tablespoons Canola vegetable oil
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
4 1/2 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon yeast

Place all ingredients into a bread machine in the order listed above top to bottom.  Chose the dough cycle on the bread machine.  Upon completion of the dough cycle divide the dough into 2 dough balls.  On a lightly floured counter top, divide the 2 parts into 3 equal parts.  Roll the three parts into ropes and braid 3 ropes per loaf. Place each braid on its own cookie sheet or jelly roll pan lined with parchment paper or foil.  Cover each braid with a clean kitchen towel and let the braids rise for 30 minutes.  Then in a small bowl beat 1 tsp. water and 2 eggs.  Spread the egg mixture over both braids with a brush.  Bake one braid on top shelf and the other on the bottom shelf for 10 minutes.  Then switch the braids and bake another 10-12 minutes.  When you take them out of the oven brush them with butter.  Wait 5 mintues, slice and serve warm.