Guyanese Style Plait Bread

Guyanese Plait Bread

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of dry active yeast (do not use instant for this recipe)

1¼ cups of warm water or milk

¼ cup of sugar

3¼ cups of all purpose flour

¼ tsp salt

¼ cup of melted butter or margarine.

Plus 1 tbsp for basting after baking

Optional: 1 tsp grated citrus zest, anise seeds or blended spices like nutmeg and clove

Instructions:

Dissolve sugar in water then add yeast. Mix yeast into the water. Cover and let rest in a warm place for at least 5 minutes to allow yeast to activate.

Add salt to flour and mix.

Add melted butter to yeast mixture.

Make a well/hole in the middle of flour and slowly incorporate wet ingredients until a sticky dough ball forms.

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes into a smooth ball. You can also use a stand mixer with dough hook for this part.

Place dough into a well greased container, cover with a towel or plastic wrap and allow to rise until it doubles in size. This takes about 30-45 mins in a warm room.

When dough doubles in size, punch down and knead again into a smooth ball (about 3 minutes by hand).

Divide the remaining dough into 3 equal parts and roll into even logs that are about 1.5 feet long.

Plait pieces into a braid.

Grease a baking tray and place the plaited dough on top of the sheet.

Cover and let rise for 45 minutes or until it doubles in size.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bake bread for 20-25 minutes until it's golden brown.

Remove from the oven and brush with butter or margarine.

Now it's time to enjoy with butter or Pepperpot!

Merry Christmas to you all.