Blueberry Cream Cheese Braided Loaf
Indulge in the perfect balance of rich creaminess and fruity sweetness with this stunning Blueberry Cream Cheese Braided Loaf. This show-stopping homemade bread combines a soft, buttery dough with a luscious cream cheese filling and bursts of fresh blueberries, all wrapped in an elegant braided design. Ideal for brunch, dessert, or a special breakfast treat, this yeast-raised loaf is golden-brown perfection, complete with an irresistible hint of vanilla. A dusting of powdered sugar adds the final touch, making it as decadent as it is visually impressive. Simple enough for home bakers yet impressive enough for entertaining, this recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to elevate their baking game with a bakery-quality treat.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 0.25 cup Sugar
- 0.75 teaspoons Salt
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 0.75 cups Whole milk
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 large Eggs
- 8 ounces Cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup Powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 cup Fresh blueberries
- 1 serving Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water)
- 1 serving Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
In a small saucepan, heat the milk and unsalted butter over low heat until the butter melts and the mixture is warm (about 110°F). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups of the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
Add the milk mixture and one of the eggs to the dry ingredients. Stir to form a shaggy dough.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, gradually adding the remaining flour as needed until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by mixing the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Set aside.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle approximately 16x12 inches.
Transfer the rolled-out dough to a piece of parchment paper. Spread the cream cheese mixture down the center third of the dough, leaving about 1 inch at the top and bottom edges. Sprinkle the blueberries evenly over the cream cheese.
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, make cuts down the sides of the dough (outer thirds) about 1 inch apart. Each cut should go up to the filling but not through it.
Fold the top edge of the dough down over the filling, then alternate folding the strips from each side over the filling, creating a braided appearance. Fold the bottom edge up to seal the braid.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Carefully transfer the braided loaf (on the parchment paper) to a baking sheet. Brush the loaf with the egg wash.
Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and cooked through.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Optional: Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Slice and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
466 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 18.9 g | 24% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.8 g | 54% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 119 mg | 40% | |
| Sodium | 312 mg | 14% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 62.4 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.2 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.3 g | ||
| Protein | 11.1 g | 22% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 74 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 2.5 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 162 mg | 3% | |
*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.
