Dj's Coffee Braid

Ingredients

• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3/8 cup sugar
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 5 cups white flour
• 1/2 cup potato flakes
• 1/4 cup gluten
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/8 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. 1

   Filling.

2. 2

   In bowl, mix applesauce, olive oil, sugar, raisins, peanut butter and cinnamon.

3. 3

   Cover, and set in refrigerator for one hour.

4. 4

   Dough.

5. 5

   Dissolve yeast in warm water.

6. 6

   Add butter, sugar, eggs, and salt. Beat well.

7. 7

   Stir in flour and knead well. Then let rise until double.

8. 8

   After initial rise, punch down and roll out dough. Roll to 10" wide and about 18" long. Try to keep in a rectangle.

9. 9

   Then cut into equal width strips, as long as your dough. ( I use a pizza cutter).

10. 10

    Spoon a narrow strip of the filling right down the middle of each strip.

11. 11

    Fold dough over and join the edges. Try to get a good seal.

12. 12

    Lay all 3 strips on a greased baking sheet.

13. 13

    Form into a braid. Paint top of braid with olive oil.

14. 14

    Bake at 375deg. for 30 minutes.