Bakery Braid with Golden Apricot Butter, Sweet Tahini and Toasted Sesame
A soft, fragrant enriched dough braid filled with a butter made from rehydrated dried apricots, lightly sweetened tahini, and toasted sesame seeds. The result is an original bakery-style bread with tender layers, deep fruit notes, and a glossy, crisp finish.
Ingredients
- 500 g bread flour (for the dough)
- 70 g sugar (for the dough)
- 8 g salt (for the dough)
- 7 g instant dry yeast (for the dough)
- 220 ml warm whole milk (38-43°C)
- 1 50 g egg (for the dough)
- 70 g unsalted butter, softened (for the dough)
- 180 g dried apricots (for the relleno)
- 120 ml water (for hidratar the chabacanos)
- 90 g unsalted butter (for the relleno)
- 80 g tahini (for the relleno)
- 50 g brown sugar (for the relleno)
- 3 g ground cinnamon (for the relleno)
- 5 ml vanilla extract (for the relleno)
- 35 g toasted sesame seeds (for the relleno and acabado)
- 1 50 g beaten egg (for brush)
- 20 g honey (for the glaseado final)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. In a large bowl, mix the bread flour, sugar, salt, and instant dry yeast.
- 2
2. Add the warm whole milk and 1 egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then gradually incorporate the 70 g softened unsalted butter and knead for 10 to 12 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- 3
3. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 75 to 90 minutes, or until nearly doubled in size, in a warm spot.
- 4
4. While the dough rises, place the dried apricots and water in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes until the apricots are soft and have absorbed almost all the water. Let cool slightly.
- 5
5. Transfer the cooked apricots to a processor and blend with the 90 g unsalted butter, tahini, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract until you get a spreadable paste. Fold in 25 g toasted sesame seeds.
- 6
6. Deflate the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 16 x 12 inches.
- 7
7. Spread the apricot-tahini filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 3/4-inch border. Sprinkle the remaining 10 g toasted sesame seeds on top.
- 8
8. Roll the dough up from the long side to form a firm log. Using a sharp knife, cut the log lengthwise to expose the layers.
- 9
9. Twist the two strands together with the cut sides facing up and transfer the braid to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Lightly join the ends to help hold the shape.
- 10
10. Cover the braid and let it proof for 30 minutes more. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C.
- 11
11. Brush the surface with the beaten egg and bake for 30 to 35 minutes at 350°F / 175°C, until the braid is deeply golden.
- 12
12. Warm the honey for a few seconds to make it fluid and brush it over the braid as soon as it comes out of the oven. Let cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Chef tips
If the dough feels very soft at first, avoid adding too much extra flour; kneading will develop the gluten and make it easier to handle. For cleaner cuts, chill the rolled log for 10 minutes before slicing it lengthwise.
Substitutions
You can replace whole milk with reduced-fat milk, though the crumb will be slightly less rich. Tahini can be swapped for a more rustic unsweetened sesame paste. The finishing honey can be replaced with a light sugar syrup for a similar shine.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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