Zopf

Name: Zopf
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Swiss
Ingredients: 5 cups bread flour; 2.5 tsp active dry yeast; 2 tsp granulated sugar; 2 tsp fine salt; 1.5 cups whole milk, warmed; 8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened; 1 egg, beaten

A traditional Swiss braided bread with a rich, buttery interior and a glossy golden crust.

55 minMediumServes 8340 cal/serving

SwissBreakfastOvenVegetarianHalal-friendlyNut-FreeSoy-FreeSesame-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

5 cups bread flour
2.5 tsp active dry yeast
2 tsp granulated sugar
2 tsp fine salt
1.5 cups whole milk, warmed
8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 egg, beaten

Instructions

1

In a large bowl, whisk 5 cups bread flour, 2.5 tsp active dry yeast, 2 tsp granulated sugar, and 2 tsp fine salt together.
2

Pour in 1.5 cups warmed whole milk and add 8 tbsp softened unsalted butter, then knead until a smooth dough forms, about 10 minutes.
3

Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
4

Divide the dough into two long strands and cross them into a classic braid.
5

Place on a baking sheet, brush with 1 beaten egg, and rest for 20 minutes.
6

Brush again with 1 beaten egg and bake at 390 degrees F for 30 minutes until golden brown.

Questions

Can I make Zopf dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1.5 cups whole milk, warmed, 8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened. Swap the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk; the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Zopf gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 5 cups bread flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Zopf keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat covered in a 300 F oven until warmed through.

Can I halve or double Zopf?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

Serve it with

Cucumber Lime Aam Panna Cooler drink
Hobak Muchim side

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