Orange Cardamom Breakfast Bread Twist Recipe

Introduction

This Orange Cardamom Breakfast Bread Twist is a fragrant and tender treat perfect for starting your day with a touch of elegance. Infused with bright orange zest and warm cardamom, this braided bread is glazed with a sweet orange icing that adds a delightful finish.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup milk, warmed to about 110°F (about 40 seconds in the microwave)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (if using table salt, add ½ teaspoon)
• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (226 g / 2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold
• 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon cardamom
• Pinch kosher salt
• 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
• ¼ cup orange juice (or the juice from one orange)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add ¾ cup warm milk to a measuring cup and heat in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Stir in the yeast and let it bloom for about 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the foamy milk and yeast mixture with the egg, granulated sugar, and salt. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Grate the cold butter using a grater onto a plate or cutting board. Add the grated butter to the bowl along with the flour.
4. Step 4: Using your hands, gently combine the ingredients until just incorporated. You may knead by hand or use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook until the dough forms a ball.
5. Step 5: Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for one hour.
6. Step 6: After one hour, place the dough on a floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle about ½ inch thick.
7. Step 7: Spread the room-temperature butter evenly over the dough, reaching all edges.
8. Step 8: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, orange zest, cardamom, and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
9. Step 9: Starting from the longer side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seam to seal it and place the log seam-side down.
10. Step 10: Using a sharp knife, cut the log lengthwise in half, stopping about 1 inch from one end to keep the piece connected.
11. Step 11: Twist the two cut halves around each other 2 to 3 times, lifting one half over the other to create a braided twist effect.
12. Step 12: Form the twisted dough into a circle, keeping the cut layers facing upward. Transfer to a buttered 8- or 9-inch skillet and cover.
13. Step 13: Let the dough rise for another hour until puffy.
14. Step 14: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the cover and bake the bread in the skillet for 25 minutes. Cover loosely with foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until golden brown.
15. Step 15: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly while preparing the glaze.
16. Step 16: In a bowl, whisk the confectioner’s sugar with orange juice until smooth and runny.
17. Step 17: After the bread has cooled about 10 minutes, drizzle the glaze over the twist to soak into all the crevices.
18. Step 18: Serve warm or at room temperature for a delightful breakfast or snack.

Tips & Variations

• For extra richness, brush the dough with an egg wash before baking to achieve a shiny crust.
• Swap cardamom with cinnamon or a blend of warm spices to change up the flavor profile.
• Use freshly grated orange zest for the most vibrant citrus aroma.
• If butter is too hard to grate, chop it into small cubes to incorporate into the dough.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the bread twist tightly wrapped for up to 1 month. Reheat gently in a low oven or microwave to enjoy warm.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this bread twist ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and shape the twist the day before baking. Cover it tightly and refrigerate overnight, then bring to room temperature and allow to rise before baking.

What can I use instead of orange juice in the glaze?

If you don’t have orange juice, lemon juice or a splash of milk mixed with a bit of vanilla extract work well as substitutes to create a lovely glaze.

Orange Cardamom Breakfast Bread Twist Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 87 reviews

This Orange Cardamom Breakfast Bread Twist is a delightful and aromatic pastry perfect for a cozy morning. It features a soft yeast-based dough infused with warm cardamom and fresh orange zest, twisted into an elegant bread ring filled with a rich brown sugar and butter filling. Finished with a tangy orange glaze, this bread offers a perfect balance of sweet and citrus flavors, making it an impressive yet approachable treat for breakfast or brunch.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Breakfast Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• ¾ cup milk, warmed to about 110°F (about 40 seconds in the microwave)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (if using table salt add ½ teaspoon)
• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (226 g/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold (for the dough)

Filling

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon cardamom
• Pinch kosher salt

Glaze

• 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
• ¼ cup orange juice (or juice from one orange)

Instructions

1. Bloom the yeast: Add ¾ cup warmed milk to a measuring cup and sprinkle 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast over it. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast blooms and becomes bubbly.
2. Mix dough ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the bloomed yeast mixture, 1 large room temperature egg, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Set aside.
3. Add butter and flour: Grate 1 cup cold unsalted butter onto a plate, then add it to the bowl with the wet ingredients, followed by 3 cups all-purpose flour.
4. Form the dough: Using your hands or a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix the ingredients until just incorporated and a dough ball forms.
5. First rise: Cover the bowl and let the dough rise for 1 hour at room temperature, until it doubles in size.
6. Roll out dough: Flour a clean countertop and roll the dough into a half-inch thick rectangle.
7. Prepare filling: Spread 4 tablespoons softened butter evenly over the dough, reaching all edges. In a small bowl, mix ½ cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1 teaspoon cardamom, and a pinch of kosher salt, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.
8. Roll and twist: Starting from the longer side, roll the dough into a log and pinch to seal. Place seam side down, then cut lengthwise halfway down. Twist the two halves around each other 2 to 3 times, keeping the cut sides exposed.
9. Form the ring: Coil the twisted dough into a circle and place in a buttered 8 or 9-inch skillet. Cover and let rise for another hour.
10. Bake the bread: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Uncover the dough and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown. Cover with foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly.
11. Prepare glaze: Whisk together 2 cups confectioner’s sugar and ¼ cup orange juice until smooth and runny.
12. Glaze the bread: After the bread cools for about 10 minutes, pour the orange glaze evenly over it, allowing it to soak into all the layers.
13. Serve: Serve warm or at room temperature for a luscious breakfast treat.

Notes

• Use fresh orange juice for the best citrus flavor in the glaze.
• If your kitchen is cool, allow extra time for dough rising.
• Be sure not to over-knead the dough to keep the bread tender.
• Butter temperature affects the layering; cold butter helps create a flaky texture.
• This bread is best enjoyed the same day or within two days; store in an airtight container.

Keywords: Orange bread, Cardamom bread, Breakfast twist, Yeast bread, Orange glaze pastry, Sweet breakfast bread