Pizza Braids – perfect treat for any occasion!

These pizza braids are perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and don’t cost much. A delicious way to substitute pizza.

Recipe is modified from here.

The Pizza Braids Dough

Let’s start with the dough. I’m not really good at preparing yeast dough normally, but this recipe gives an amazing result. It comes out perfect every time!

Ingredients you need for the dough:

• 400 g  all-purpose flour
• 15 g sugar
• 40 g butter (room temperature)
• 1 egg
• 20 g yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 150 g water (lukewarm)

Let’s prepare the dough:

Pizza braids dough making

1. Dissolve the yeast in warm water.
2. Sift ¾ of the flour into a big bowl.
3. Add sugar, salt, egg, butter, and yeast mixture.
4. Knead the dough, gradually adding flour, until smooth and does not stick.
5. Cover loosely with a lint-free towel.
6. Let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled.

The Filling

Meanwhile, it’s time to prepare the filling.  The original recipe calls for cheese, ham, and mayonnaise, but I like these braids with more flavor. The possibilities are endless. I usually add some garlic, herbs, and a tiny dot of mustard to the filling. Sometimes I substitute ham with bacon or add pineapple and dried onion for extra flavor. Just let your imagination run, and I’m sure you love the outcome. Also, you can play with different types of cheese. Do not add any salt to the filling, as cheese and mayo already have plenty of it.

Ingredients you need for the filling:

• 100 g grated cheese (parmesan type)
• 100 g  gouda cheese
• 250g ham
• mayonnaise

Optional:

• 1 small garlic clove
• pineapple
• dried onion
• mustard
• herbs (oregano etc.)

Let’s prepare the filling:

Pizza braids filling

1. Chop the ham, set aside
2. Grate the cheese
3. Add mayonnaise to the cheese, to make a spreadable paste

Optional:

1. Chop pineapple
2. Add some mustard and herbs to the cheese and mayonnaise mix

Assembling the braids

1. Once the dough is doubled, turn it out onto a floured surface and deflate it with floured hands.
2. Roll the dough out with a rolling pin, starting in the middle and working your way out, creating a large rectangle.
3. Spread the cheese-mayo mixture evenly on the dough.
4. Sprinkle ham over the dough’s surface.
5. If you decided to use pineapple and dried onion, sprinkle them on the dough too.

Now you have to decide the shape you want to create. I usually make a braid of two strands. You can also make it with 3 strands or better yet create some pinwheels.

For the pinwheels: Tightly roll the dough back over the filling, forming a  log. Cut the log into 2-3cm segments.

For the braids: Fold the dough to three (see the photos), and deflate the dough with floured hands. Cut into 2 or 3 strands and create a braid.

Loosely cover pinwheels or braids with a lint-free towel and let them rise for another 15 minutes.

Baking

Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F ).

If you’d like, you can egg-wash your braids before baking them.

Bake the braids for around 20-25 min until golden. Pinwheels need less baking time.

Pinwheels and Braids

Let it cool a little, cut into slices and serve.