Braided Poppyseed Bread

Braided poppyseed bread is fun to with the whole family.  First I want to let you know I down loaded this recipe from my new I Pad.  It was fun to follow directions and pictures off the I-pad.  It was weird having the computer on my kitchen counter instead of my usual cookbooks or magazines.  I guess this is the future of cooking, so I guess I better get use to it.

My family went to a new pizzeria in Boulder, Colorado last night and they brought my kids the largest bread sticks I had ever seen.  Therefore my twin boys needed to replicate the bread sticks with this poppy seed bread recipe.  The boys promptly hijacking part of my dough to make these wonderful long bread sticks for Sunday supper.

Braided Poppyseed Bread:

Makes:  1 loaf of Poppy Seed Bread and 6 bread sticks
Pre-Heat Oven:  375 degrees

3 1/3 cups bread flour
2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons dry active yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (100-109 degrees)
4 tablespoons warm milk
4 tablespoons canola oil, extra for greasing the bowl
5 tablespoons poppy seeds, divided

1.  In a microwaveable bowl, add the water and milk until warmed (100-109 degrees).  Add the yeast  and 1 teaspoon of sugar to the bowl.  Allow the yeast mixture to become foamy about 5 minutes.  If the yeast does not grow and become foamy you will have to start again.

2.  In a mixer with a dough attachment, mix in the flour, sugar, salt, canola oil, poppy seeds and foamy yeast mixture together.  Knead the dough for 5 minutes on low.  Your dough should be in a nice ball.  If the dough sticks to the side of the bowl add additional flour one tablespoon at a time.  If the dough is to thick add warm water 1 teaspoon at a time until your dough comes together in a nice ball.  Remove the dough and place it in a greased bowl wrapped in plastic wrap.  Allow the dough to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size in a warm draft free area.

3.  Punch the dough down, then knead several times on a floured work surface.  Divide the dough into 3 pieces (or 4 pieces if you want to make some bread sticks).  Roll the dough out like long ropes about 10 - 12 inches long.  Braid the ropes, tucking under the beginning and end of the dough.  If you are making bread sticks divide the dough up into very thin ropes, like the thickness of a pencil and about 12 inches long.  Place the braid and ropes onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Allow the bread to rise one more time for 30 minutes.  Keep the bread covered with a dish towel and keep it in a warm place to rise.

4.  Mix the topping together.  Add the egg wash on the bread with a pastry brush.  Sprinkle the poppy seeds and kosher salt on top of the braided bread and bread sticks.

5.  Bake the bread at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  The bread is done when it is browned on the top and sounds hollow when turned over and tapped.  Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack.  The bread sticks cooked in about 15 minutes.

Topping:
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon cream
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 teaspoon Kosher salt