How to Make Braided Bread - Braiding Homemade Bread

By Mariette Mifflin, About.com Guide

When the dough has risen, using a pastry brush, gently brush the dough with an egg yolk mixture of:
1 Egg yolk and 1 teaspoon of water - mixed with a fork

This coating will give it a golden brown glow. You can add a sparse sprinkle of poppy seeds after the egg brush. Poppy seeds are a matter of preference and you can omit this step if you wish.

Set your range oven to a moderate baking temperature around 350 to 375 degrees F. When the oven is ready, insert the baking sheet.

The braid will rise a bit more while baking. Baking is rather quick usually around 20 minutes, so check it often. This can vary with oven models. Once the top is golden brown, peak at the bottom by lifting the edge with a spatula.