Here's what you need:
Apple Filling:
3 medium sized apples (whatever your preference is)
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Pie Braid:
2 1/2 cups bread flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon instant yeast
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons vegetable oil
Glaze:
1/3 cups confectioners sugar
5 teaspoons whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to make the Apple Pie Braid:
Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin slices. Place in a pie pan mixed with all the other apple filling ingredients. Bake for 15 minutes at 350F
While that's baking mix together all the dry ingredients for the pie bread. Add water and oil and mix for 6 minutes in medium-high speed.
Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray (I found this the easiest thing to do) and roll out the dough to about a 12x16 inch size- using a rolling pin spraying with cooking spray makes it a lot easier)
Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut 1 inch strips in the sides of the dough leaving the middle third solid with no cuts.
Fill the center of the braid with the pie filling and then criss-cross the dough strips to make it into a braid.
Bake the braid for 25 minutes at 350F.
While it's baking you can make the glaze for the top of the braid. Whisk together the confectioners sugar, whipping cream, and vanilla.
After the braid is done baking allow it to cool for a few minutes before adding the glaze. It's also recommended to put a cooling rack on a cookie sheet under the braid so that the glaze doesn't soak into the braid and make it soggy.
Here's the final product! Slice, serve, and enjoy :) Vanilla ice cream is also a good addition to a piece.
