Pumpkin French Toast Breakfast Braid

Yup, more bread. It's that kind of week.

I don't mind, do you? I could eat bread just about every day.

Bread is good comfort food if you're stressed or worried about something in your life. Say, stressing out and helping your friend make 400 peanut butter balls for her wedding, or, say, dealing with a dash of food poisoning from eating sushi (don't eat sushi from Springfield, MO), or, maybe a dentist appointment.

I'd been nervous all week about a dentist appointment I had this morning. It was the first appointment I've had in... maybe five years? Six?

I know, I'm horrible. But I don't have dental insurance. Can you blame me?

I've been having pain in the upper right side of my jaw for the past couple of months, so I figured I had better schedule a dentist appointment.

I was a nervous wreck this morning; I was dreading the bad news I would get from the dentist. All of the cavities I have, all of the root canals I need, the gingivitis in my gums... But mostly I was dreading the thousands of dollars I would have to pay to get all of this fixed.

I knew, I just knew I was going to have a million cavities from all of the sugar I eat. I bake something sweet almost every day!

So after taking about twenty x-rays of my teeth, and the dentist studying them for a couple of minutes, she said, "You don't have any cavities, your gums look good, and I don't see any problems."

Whaaat?! I was completely shocked. I can't believe how lucky I am. When does that ever happen at the dentist? I've been smiling and in a good mood all day.

Of course the $109 I paid to find out my teeth are perfectly fine hurt a bit, but at least I have peace of mind now. AND, I don't have to go to the dentist for another six years.

As for my jaw, I have no idea why I've been having pain. The dentist said I could be grinding my teeth while I sleep, but I don't think that's it. I'm pretty sure I've never done that. But then again, how would I know if I'm sleeping?

I chew gum a lot, so I'm thinking maybe that's it. No more gum for me.
I better stock up on Tic-Tacs. Or maybe not.


At least I can continue baking sweet, sweet, sugary desserts every day.
Let's celebrate with a Pumpkin French Toast Breakfast Braid!


This bread was so incredibly delicious. It's a sweet egg bread flavored with pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and maple syrup. It's topped with a glaze made from powdered sugar, maple syrup and butter. It tastes like a pumpkin cinnamon roll to me.



This may have been my favorite bread I've ever baked. I'm going to make it again and again. It's another easy bread recipe - it's not difficult at all. The maple syrup, butter and spices make it taste like French toast. It's perfect for serving at breakfast. I actually made French toast out of it and it was aaamazing.

I hope you have a lovely weekend! Anybody else walking down the aisle in a bright orange bridesmaid dress? No?

And yes, there will be pictures.


Pumpkin French Toast Breakfast Braid
Printable Recipe


Dough
1/2 cup warm milk (100°-110°F)
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs, divided use
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon salt
6 cups unbleached bread flour

Glaze
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

To make the bread dough, in the bowl of a stand mixer, using the dough hook on medium speed, mix together milk, maple syrup and yeast until combined; allow to sit for 10 minutes or until bubbles form. Add pumpkin, brown sugar, 2 eggs, butter, pumpkin pie spice and salt to yeast mixture and mix until well combined. Mix in bread flour until combined; continue to mix for an additional 5-8 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. Form into a ball and place in a large, greased mixing bowl; lightly cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm area for 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.

Punch dough down, and divide in half. Divide one half of dough into 3 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, shape each portion into a 12-inch rope. Place ropes on a greased baking sheet; shape into a braid and pinch edges to seal. Repeat process with remaining dough. Lightly cover braids with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm area for 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Whisk remaining 1 egg together with a tablespoon of water; evenly brush on surface of braids. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and internal temperature of bread reaches 180 degrees F. Cool at least 30 minutes before spreading glaze on bread.

To make the glaze, in a medium bowl, whisk together butter, confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup and vanilla until well combined and smooth. Drizzle and spread glaze on top of bread.

Makes 2 loaves