From honey challah to cheesy herb wreaths, these beautiful braided breads are almost too stunning to slice into.
18 Beautiful Braided Breads
Updated on Mar. 29, 2023
1/18
Sesame Wheat Braids
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 loaves (16 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I started making this bread, my husband and our six children liked it so much that I was baking every day! I was thrilled when the judges at our county fair gave these braids both a blue ribbon and a best of show award! —Nancy Montgomery, Hartville, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 102 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
2/18
3/18
Celebration Braid
Total Time
55 min
Servings
1 loaf. (32 servings)
From the Recipe Creator:
During the holidays, I sometimes make a couple of these golden loaves a day to give as gifts. Everyone in our family loves them any time of year. The recipe originated with one for Jewish challah, which I began making over a decade ago.
—Marcia Vermaire
Fruitport, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 95 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 94mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
4/18
Egg Bread
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
2 loaves (16 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
People rave about this tender, delicate bread every time I serve it. The braided look is just beautiful and is actually quite easy to do. —June Mullins, Livonia, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 135 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 245mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
5/18
Cardamom Twist
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
1 loaf (18 slices)
From the Recipe Creator:
This golden bread has a soft, tender texture and the perfect amount of cardamom flavor in every bite. Slices are especially good with a cream cheese spread or fresh honey butter. —Carla Miller, Pasco, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 195 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 269mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
6/18
Braided Onion-Potato Loaf
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 loaf (16 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator:
Ever wonder why a bread recipe includes mashed potatoes? The potato's starchy quality absorbs liquid during the kneading stage, and it holds onto that liquid during baking. The bread finishes with a crisp, brown exterior crust and a flavorful, moist interior that helps the bread keep longer. —Joan Ranzini, Waynesboro, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 183 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 271mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
7/18
Delicious Almond Braids
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 braids (6 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Similar to an almond crescent, this coffee cake is light and flaky with a rich almond center. It’s versatile, so you can serve it for dessert, breakfast or brunch. It tastes as if it came from a high-end bakery, but packaged puff pastry dough makes it easy. —Gina Idone, Staten Island, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 430 calories, 25g fat (8g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 197mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein.
8/18
9/18
Honey Challah
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
2 loaves (24 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
I use these shiny, beautiful loaves as the centerpiece of my spread. I love the taste of honey, but you can also add chocolate chips, cinnamon, orange zest or almonds. Leftover slices of this sweet challah recipe work well in bread pudding or for French toast. —Jennifer Newfield, Los Angeles, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 125 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 107mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
10/18
Italian Ricotta Easter Bread
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
18 servings.
From the Recipe Creator:
I changed our family’s traditional Easter bread by adding ricotta and a few other ingredients. The almond flavoring works wonders! — Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 376 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 247mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
11/18
Seeded Butternut Squash Braid
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
1 loaf (18 slices)
From the Recipe Creator:
Crunchy, green hulled pumpkin seeds (better known as pepitas)add a slightly nutty taste to this rich and moist bread. Because of their high oil content, pepitas can spoil quickly. Make sure you store them in the freezer to keep them fresh. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 192 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
12/18
Roasted Red Pepper Bread
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
2 loaves (12 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
These savory loaves are moist, tender and loaded with flavor from grated Parmesan cheese and roasted sweet red peppers. They're fantastic at dinner or as an appetizer. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 99 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 254mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
13/18
Cardamom Bread
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 loaves (20 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
I came across this recipe in 1983 and have been making it for the holidays ever since. One year I gave away 20 loaves! —Rita Bergman, Olympia, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 114 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 91mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
14/18
15/18
Rosemary Walnut Bread
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 loaf (9 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator:
I received this recipe from a friend who was moving into a new apartment. To celebrate, she made this bread to share and now it is served at many of my family functions.—Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 145 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 132mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
16/18
17/18
18/18
Braided Orange Wreath
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
All eyes will turn to this gorgeous braid when it is set on the table. This orange-scented bread will disappear in no time.—Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 308 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 246mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
