Zopf | Züpfe | Treccia | Braided Swiss Bread

Zopf (butterzopf), Swiss braided bread loaves on a serving tray.

5 from 25 votes

Zopf | Züpfe | Treccia | Braided Swiss Bread

Zopf is an easy-to-make, classic and traditional Swiss braided bread recipe with a soft and light texture. Serve this for Sunday breakfast with a cup of coffee or weekend brunches.

Zopf is also known as Swiss plaited Bread, Züpfe (in Bern), Butterzopf, Tresse (in French), and Treccia (in Italian).

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Resting Time1

Total Time1 30

Course: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine: Austrian, bavarian, switzerland

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: Loaves

Calories: 779kcal

Author: Kushi

Equipment

Bowl
Baking sheet or tray

Ingredients

1 ½ cups Warm milk
1 teaspoon Sugar
1 packet Active dry yeast (2 ¼ tsp)
1 Egg yolk
1 ½ teaspoon Salt
3 ¾ cups All purpose flour
3 tablespoon Softened butter
1 Egg white (for egg wash)

Instructions

Activate yeast

Add lukewarm milk, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle yeast.
1 ½ cups Warm milk, 1 teaspoon Sugar, 1 packet Active dry yeast
Cover and leave it undisturbed for 10 minutes. Let the yeast activate.

Make the zopf dough

Add egg yolk, salt, all-purpose flour, 1 cup at a time, and butter to the activated yeast mixture and mix well using a hand or wooden spoon until the dough comes together.
1 Egg yolk, 1 ½ teaspoon Salt, 3 ¾ cups All purpose flour, 3 tablespoon Softened butter
Now dust the working surface with some flour, transfer the dough, and knead it for atleast 6 to 8 minutes till you get a smooth and elastic dough.

Making braided loaves

If you make a large zopf, divide the dough into three equal portions. If you make three medium zopfs like in the picture, divide the dough into 9 portions.
Roll each piece into a long cylinder or rope. Braid three pieces together at a time and pinch the ends.

Let the dough rise

Place the braided dough on a lightly greased baking sheet or baking pan lined with parchment paper.
Cover the braided dough with the warm cloth and let it rest in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled.

Bake the braided Swiss bread

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Add a pinch of salt to the egg white with tablespoon of water, mix well, and brush each braid with the egg white.
1 Egg white
Bake it for about 20 to 25 minutes or until it's golden brown.
Let this cool for atleast 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Zopf can be stored at room temperature for 3 to 4 days, in a refrigerator for up to one week, and in a freezer for three months. Just warm it before serving.

Nutrition