Braided Mongo Brea / Braided Mongo Loaf 

TO make the red bean paste click the link pls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uduAUaOedLs

For Dough 1
2/3 cup water
1 tbsp sugar
1 packet of yeast which is 7-8g
1 cup bread flour
For dough 2 :
2/3 cup warm milk
60 g melted butter
1 egg
dough 1 that we let rise for an hour
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups bread flour plus I added 2 tbsp more, (you might need less or more flour )
1 tsp of oil.


For Dough 1

Proof the yeast by combining  lukewarm water and  1 tbsp sugar give it a mix then add 1 packet of yeast  leave it to rest for about 10 minutes or until the yeast bubbles up.
Meanwhile combine the 1 cup of bread flour and salt  give it a mix.

Once the yeast is bubbly add the flour salt mixture, mix and cover with cling wrap or plastic, place in a warm spot and let rise for an hour or until doubled in size.

Dough 2
Combine the milk, melted butter, egg, sugar and dough 1 mix then gradually add the rest of the flour ( you can use stand mixer or knead the dough by hand ). Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
Form the dough into a ball and roll it into a bowl with 1 tsp of oil in it .
Cover with cling wrap  place in a warm spot to rise for an hour or until doubled in size.

Once the dough has doubled in size its ready to be rolled.
(I have provided a video for you watch just incase there is a confusion with the instruction).
On a lightly floured surface or as for me I use parchment paper and rolled my dough into square about 15x15 ( its just an estimate).

Then spread the mongo bean paste evenly on the surface of the dough leaving about 1/2 inch on the edges of the dough.

Using a rolling pin roll the dough tightly just like a swiss roll,  once you reach the middle of the dough cut it using a knife or dough scrapper ( this will be the wreath mongo bread).
Then roll the remaining dough in  a swiss roll aswell this other half will be the loaf.

Working on the other half of the dough now. Make a cut down the middle of the dough using a knike or dough scrapper leaving the ends of the dough intact. Twist ends overtop each other making sure to turn the cut side towards the top. Then form it into a circle just like a wreath make sure to seal the connecting lines  by pressing it together. Then cover with a towel or cling wrap and leave to rest for about 45 minutes or until it doubles in size.

To make the loaf Bread
Make sure to grease the loaf pan with butter or oil.
Then do the same procedure with the wreath bread but instead of forming it into a circle cut the dough in half and place it into the loaf pan. Again cover with cling wrap or a towel and let rise for about 45 minutes.

Important to preheat the oven at 180 deg C .
Before baking brush the top with a beaten egg  this will give the bread a rich golden brown appearance.
Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Let it cool down in a wire rack and enjoy your homemade bread.

Happy baking.

Love
My Sweet  Ambition