Brown Sugar Sesame Braided Bread

This is an eggless, tasty and inviting sweet braided bread stuffed with sesame seeds and khoya reminding the flavors of till (sesame seeds) mawa ladoo stuffed in bread.

This is sweet bread and the sweetness in the dough comes from the condensed milk used just like in this Tutti-fruity Sweet Roll, just that the condensed milk is amped up further in this braid. The condensed milk not only sweetens the bread  but also adds to the milk flavor in these braids. 

The sesame seeds, khoya (dried evaporated milk solids), and the sweet roll make a scrumptious breakfast. These are also great for an anytime snack. Trust me, these are addictive. Along with a cup of Masala Chai, these are great for entertaining guests for a chai party or chai time with family.

Sesame balls/laddoo and ellu podi (sweet sesame powder) are my favorites. We make these with black sesame. But, we also try many recipes with the white sesame and they are also equally good, it is the one with the hull removed. The nutritional benefits of sesame is quite well known. It is a good source of plant based protein, fiber, and black sesame is rich in calcium too. It is a great idea to include sesame in the diet and these braids would invite anyone to have these. 

The filling inside would remind you of the sesame mawa Ladoo that is made in many parts of northern India during the Sankaranti festival. Sesame gives warmth and is included in the festive meal and snacks. From where I grew, from Sankaranti, it becomes hot and sesame ladoo is not made for that festival. Also, we do use mostly black sesame in many ways but we do not include that in festive meals. So, this ladoo stuffed braid is one of the ideal way we would like to include sesame and you would agree when you try these delicious braids.

Not only is the bread sweet, the filling is also sweet. Ladoos are made with sugar or jaggery traditionally, and brown sugar is used in this recipe to sweeten the filling. Brown sugar gives the effect of jaggery while adding caramel notes too. Powdered sugar can also be used. 

Now, with all these sweet flavors from the filling encased in a sweet and soft bread, this is the ultimate breakfast that gives comfort while giving the satisfaction of having a sweet treat. Plus, these delicious braids add to the nutrition too. 

These braids are not very hard to make. When the dough proves, mix the ingredients for the filling, which is also simple. Stretch and fold the dough once it is doubled in size, divide into four portions, keep the filling, braid the bread, and let it rise for 30 minutes. Brush with Aquafaba and bake for 15-16 minutes. This recipe uses all purpose flour that gives the ultimate soft bread. Bread flour may also be used, but it may give a little chewy texture. I haven’t made these with whole wheat flour yet and will update soon after I try it. Different flours May require a different amount of liquid, and so adjust the quantity of liquid by one or two tablespoons depending on the flour used. 

This is the final recipe for the 13 day event Bakeathon 2022. We share three baked recipes all through this month and this sesame braid is a delicious one for you to try for Sankranti too. Here are the links to the recipes shared for Bakeathon 2022.

Pumpkin Banana Bread

 

Eggless Banana Almond Gingerbread

 

Pandesal

 

Samosa Chaat Pizza

 

Cheese Hatch Chile Tamale Cups

Cranberry Gingerbread Rolls

Roasted Tandoori Spice Vegetables

Tutti Fruity Sweet Rolls

Baked Millet Handvo

Baked Malai Paneer Pasta

Peppermint Mocha Muffins

Eggless Peppermint Banana Bread

I am also linking this to Sundays on Silverado, Happiness is Homemade, and What's For Dinner.

Ingredients

Makes 4 braids

All purpose flour - 3 cups plus 2 tbsp

Non fat dry milk powder - 3/4 cup

Salt - 1/4 tsp

Condensed milk - 1/2 cup

Milk - 2/3 cup

Active dry yeast - 2 and 1/4 tsp

Butter - 4 tbsp, room temperature

Aquafaba - 4 tbsp

For the Tangzhong

All purpose flour - 1/4 cup

Milk - 1/4 cup

Water - 1/4 cup

For the Filling

Seasme seeds - 1 cup

Khoya - 1 cup, shredded, packed

Brown sugar - 1 cup, packed

Cardamom - 2

Cashews - 3 tbsp, chopped

Almonds - 3 tbsp, chopped

Butter - 3 tbsp, melted

For Brushing and Topping

Aquafaba - 2 tbsp, for brushing

Sesame seeds - 1 tsp, for topping

Method

Tangzhong - Whisk the flour in water and milk, cook on a medium flame until a roux forms. This may take about 2 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Activate the yeast with warm milk and a tablespoon of condensed milk.

Once the yeast is activated, add it to the bread machine bowl along with aquafaba, sugar, butter, and remaining condensed milk. Add the flour, non-fat dry milk powder, and salt. Set the machine on dough cycle.

In the meantime, while the dough proves, roast the sesame seeds on a medium flame. Allow it to cool, and powder it. Take care not to over grind, else it may turn to tahini consistency. A coarser texture of the sesame powder works.

Add the sesame powder, grated khoya, crushed cardamom,  nuts, and brown sugar to a bowl. Mix. Melt the butter, pour onto this mixture, and combine thoroughly.

Once the dough has doubled, transfer it to a floured surface, punch and knead to a soft ball. Divide into four portions.

Take one portion of the dough, stretch and knead to a smooth ball. Roll into 8x12-in oblong shape. Cover the rest of the dough to prevent them from drying.

Divide the filling into four portions. Spread about three quarters and a tablespoon of the filling on the middle of the rolled dough leaving one inch on the tapering end, and about two and a half to three inches on the side. Make ten slanting cuts on the sides of the dough. Fold over one of the edges on the filling, then start to alternate the cut dough from the sides on to the filling alternating one on top of the other, in a weaving pattern to make a braid.

When you come to the other end of the braid, before folding over the last cuts from the side, fold the tapering end on the filling and the fold the side edges.

Transfer to a lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining portions of the dough. Cover and let it rise for 30-40 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Brush the top of the braids with aquafaba.

Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 15 - 16 min. Remove from the oven and cool.

Serve Warm or at room temperature.