Braided bread looked too complicated and time-consuming. It's not. 
I remember over 20 years ago taking over my sister-in-law's kitchen in Houston (complete with a parcel of little kids to help) and making this monstrous double-decker braided loaf. It was the equivalent of three or four loaves, a real monument--delicious and, I thought, impressive.
(I think I cleaned the kitchen afterward; I'm sure I didn't clean the kids who were dusted with flour from head to foot.)
If you want to delight your family, make braided bread. You can make savory bread. I'm inclined to make sweet bread like this cherry loaf above.
You can make three, four, or six braided bread. Today, we'll tackle simple three braids. No experience is necessary--even if you've never baked with yeast before.
The cherry bread recipe calls for a mix or your favorite bread recipe. If you really want to knock-their-socks-off, make it with this raised, glazed Spudnut-type mix. Same principle, it's just a lighter, fluffier, sweeter dough.
We hope you have a blast making braided bread. Your family will love it.
Let me know if we can help. | 
