Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (2024)

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My mother loves any Sweet Bread made with yeast dough. Especially at Easter. This year (after watching far too many episodes of the British Baking Challenge) I decided that I would try something fancy. A Hefezopf. This Hefezopf Recipe is an adaptation of Luisa Weiss’s “Rosinenzopf ” recipe from her fantastic cookbook Classic German Baking.Don’t be intimidated by the Yeast, or kneading. The dough comes together beautifully in the mixer… and as for the kneading? I usually have around 10 minutes of aggression in me to take out on some dough.

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (1)

When I pulled out the ingredients, I was a bit irked to discover that we are out of raisins. I don’t mind, I’m not a big fan of the things, but Tech Guy loves them (he must have snacked them all away). Rather than leave the fruit out, I chopped up some dried cranberries. Maybe they aren’t “traditional” but they are quite yummy. In the back of my pantry I found the box of Hagel Zucker that I brought home from my last trip to Germany. (See…. filling up my suitcase at the grocery store in Germany does have its advantages… you never know when you will NEED it, but it’s nice to have when you do. ) This means I was able to sprinkle the crust with crunchy bits of sugar to add just an extra touch of sweetness. YUM. Don’t have Hagel Zucker (Pearl Sugar)? you can order them here–> Hagel Zucker, or use sliced almonds.

At Easter, you can use this same basic recipe and braid into a wreath shape to fill with colored Eggs… or even bake Hard Cooked Colored Eggs into the braids. (That will be something for me to try next.) A Hefezopf wreath makes a beautiful centerpiece on the Easter Breakfast table.

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (2)

To make the wreath… braid the dough like you would for a loaf. Then curve it and bring the ends together to make the wreath.

But any day you make the Hefezopf recipe, you can serve it up with some good German butter and delicious jam for a wonderful breakfast treat or mid-day snack. Or just eat it plain. (I find that even though I stored the bread in a plastic zipper bag, it did dry out a bit overnight… so the extra butter schmeared on it helps… especially for palates who are used to softer, sweeter baked goods).

Hefezopf Recipe

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (3)

Hefezopf Recipe

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Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Milk
  • 500 gr / approx 4 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 50 gr / 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 2 tsp Rapid Rise Yeast
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • Lemon Zest- approx 1 lemon worth
  • 6 TBL Butter at room temp.
  • 1 Egg
  • 1/2 cup Raisins/Cranberries
  • For Finishing-
  • 1 Egg Yolk
  • 1 tsp Whole Milk
  • Few Tbl. Hagel Zucker / Pearl Sugar
  • OR
  • Few Tbl. Sliced Almonds

Instructions

  • Warm the milk up a little. (I stuck my finger in it, it felt warm, and it worked. You don't want it too hot, it will kill the yeast)

  • In your mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, rapid rise yeast, salt, and the lemon peel.

  • In another bowl (I just used a measuring cup) combine the milk and eggs.. give them a quick mix.

  • Add the milk/egg mixture to the flour/sugar mix... then slice in the room temperature butter.

  • Mix until it all comes together in a sticky dough.

  • Dump the dough blob out onto a floured surface.

  • Now comes the work. Don't cheat!

  • Knead the dough for 10 15 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic. (Note- even though I have a dough hook on my mixer, I did this by hand. I presume it can be done on the dough hook as well, I just chose to use it as a work out). Add a sprinkle of flour if the dough is too sticky.

  • Put the kneaded dough into a clean bowl, and cover with a dishcloth or plastic. Let rise 1 hour in a draft-free warm spot. It should double in size.

  • When the dough has risen, dump it out of the bowl and onto the counter.

  • Shape it a little flat, and add the raisins/cranberries.

  • Fold the dough over the fruits, then knead them in to distribute.

  • Cut the dough into 3 equal pieces (I actually weighed them out... )

  • Roll the pieces into 16 inch strands.

  • Lay them next to each other, squish them together at one end, then braid the length of the strand. Press the other end so they stay together, and tuck up under the end.

  • Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper

  • Place the braided loaf on the parchment paper, cover with a cloth, and let it rise for 20 minutes in a warm, draft-free space.

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • When the dough has risen, check to see if any of the raisins/cranberries are sticking out. Poke them in a bit, or remove them if they are.

  • Combine an Egg Yolk and 1 Tbl. Milk in a small bowl... really mix it until its not separate looking. Use a pastry brush, and brush the whole braid.

  • Sprinkle with Hagel Zucker/Pearl Sugar or Sliced Almonds.

  • Bake for 25 minutes, then check. If it's getting too brown at this point, lay a piece of foil over the loaf.

  • Bake an additional 5 minutes.

  • Cool on a rack

  • Best served the same day, but you can wrap it tightly to store for another day.

Notes

I baked the bread using 2% milk, and regular American butter. (I used what I had in the refrigerator). The original recipe calls for WHOLE Milk and European HIGH FAT butter. I imagine the flavor would be richer, and the taste moister with the addition of the extra fat. And it would be better the next day

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Use a SCALE to Measure Ingredients

One Kitchen tool I’ve come to depend on, especially when baking German Recipes, is my kitchen scale. Honestly, they aren’t expensive, and the results really are better. For example, this recipe uses 4 cups of flour… by weight this should be 500 grams. 500 grams NEVER changes, 4 cups is different every time you measure it out… depending on how the flour settles, and how moist the air is. It’s just more accurate when you usea scale.

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (7)Pohl Schmitt Mechanical/Digital Food Kitchen Scale – Multi-Transducer Scale for Greater Precision with Auto Shut-Off (Batt. Incl.), BlackHefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (8)

Step By Step- Hefezopf Recipe

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (9)

Mix the ingredients until the dough comes together… knead for 10 – 15 minutes

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (10)

Place the kneaded dough in a mixing bowl, cover and let rise in a draft-free spot for an hour

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (11)

Carefully knead in the Raisins/Cranberries

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (12)

Divide dough into 3 equal portions … roll those pieces into 16 inch strands … then braid

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (13)

Place the Braided Loaf on a parchment covered sheet-pan. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (14)

Brush the risen braid with a egg yolk/milk wash… then sprinkle with Hagel Zucker/Pearl Zucker or Sliced Almonds

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (15)

Bake 25 minutes, then check if it’s getting too dark. Cover with foil if it is. Bake another 5 minutes (30 total)

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (16)

Let the loaf finish cooling on a rack

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (17)

Slice and serve

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (18)

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (19)

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (20)

Hefezopf Recipe or Hefekranz- Braided German Sweet Bread (2024)

FAQs

What is the most famous bread in Germany? ›

Pumpernickel, a steamed, sweet-tasting bread, is internationally well known, although not representative of German black bread as a whole. Most German breads are made with sourdough. Whole grain is also preferred for high fiber.

What is the difference between challah and Zopf? ›

Challah seems to come from the arabic culture. They do have much in common though. They use eggs and fatty components. In a "Zopf" it's milk instead of water and molten butter instead of vegetable oil.

What is the name of the sweet braided bread? ›

Many of us think of challah as a braided loaf of eggy, shiny, slightly sweet bread.

Does Zopf bread contain yeast? ›

1 tablespoon of sugar. 40g fresh yeast (or 13g of dried yeast) 600ml milk at room temperature. 170g butter, cut into small pieces.

Why is German bread so special? ›

German bread is unlike any other bread known to Europe. It is dark, chewy and dense, composed mainly of whole grains, such as rye, spelt, and millet. Wheat is taking a back-seat compared to other countries, where it is the dominant grain, resulting in lighter, whiter and starchier (and less healthy) bread types.

What is the number one bread in the world? ›

White Bread

Why is Zopf eaten on Sunday? ›

The Swiss love good bread and they are excellent bakers. On Sundays they love to eat the Butter-Zopf, a soft bread similar to the Challah, the Jewish bread. It is a traditional Sunday bread and it's said it's origin is coming from a custom whereby widows cut off their braided hair and buried them with their husbands.

Why do Jews braid challah? ›

Challah loaves are often braided. The three strands of the braid may represent truth, peace and justice. Another interpretation is that having two loaves of three-stranded braids equals six total strands, which symbolize the six work days of the week aside from Shabbat.

Is Zopf the same as brioche? ›

Zopf is a very popular type of bread in Switzerland, which is usually eaten on Sundays. It's a brioche-style bread that is braided to give it a distinct appearance and interesting texture. Traditionally Zopf is made with full cream, milk and butter.

What country does braided bread come from? ›

Challah (/ˈxɑːlə/, Hebrew: חַלָּה ḥallā [χa'la] or Hallah [ħɑl'la]; plural: challot, Challoth or challos, also berches in Central Europe) is a special bread of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, usually braided and typically eaten on ceremonial occasions such as Shabbat and major Jewish holidays (other than Passover).

What is Elvis bread? ›

This "Elvis" banana bread is loaded up with a smooth and creamy peanut butter glaze and brown sugar-candied bacon.

What country is Zopf bread from? ›

Switzerland

What is the most popular bread in Switzerland? ›

Zopf is probably the most famous Swiss bread and for very good reason – it's lovely soft texture and rich flavor make for something no one can forget. This easy recipe comes together without much fuss and the most common of ingredients so that you can whip up delicious bread at home whenever the urge hits.

What is zopfmehl in English? ›

“Zopf” flour is a white wheat flour enriched with spelt. This gives it a higher proportion of elastic adhesive protein (gluten) and makes it easier to braid and shape.

What is the famous dish of German bakery? ›

Käsekuchen (cheese cake)

Cheese cake may also be famous in New York, but it's a standard favorite in German bakeries - albeit with an entirely different recipe. Here, a German dairy product called Quark is used, which is thicker than yogurt but not as thick or sweet as cream cheese.

What do Germans call bread? ›

"Brötchen" ("Brot" is German for bread, the -"chen" is a diminutive suffix) are a staple all over the German-speaking world, but the word used to order the crusty rolls at the bakery counter vary greatly.

Is Vollkornbrot healthy? ›

By German law,Vollkornbrote must contain over 90% whole grains, which means that the germ (Keimling), bran Schale, and endosperm (Mehlkörper ) are still intact. This healthy fiber requires a long time for your body to fully digest, so you'll feel full for a longer time and eat less over the course of the day.

What is a Brot made of? ›

It's traditionally made from coarsely ground rye flour (Roggenschrot), salt and water, and undergoes baking for many hours, at low temperatures, in steam-filled ovens. That gives bread its characteristic dark brown colour and chocolate, coffee, and caramel aroma characteristics.

References

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