Soft and Sweet Guyanese Plait Bread Recipe -The Wishing Weed (2024)

I made this bread as part of an experiment to try out new recipes. The experiment kind of ended there, after I made this Guyanese Plait Bread, I didn’t really want to try any other recipe! It is soft, it is sweet, with a chewy crust and a melty inside. What can be better than that?

Making your plait bread

Preheat the oven to 375 Fahrenheit (190 Celcius).

In a large bowl, place the water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the surface and allow it to rest for 10 minutes or until the surface starts to foam.

Add the flour, melted butter or oil and salt into the yeast mixture. Mix until you form a sticky dough. Add just enough flour that the dough is no longer sticky (about 1 or two tablespoons) and knead for 5 to 10 minutes on a floured surface. If the dough springs back when indented lightly with your finger, the dough is ready for the next step

Oil the bowl lightly and place the dough back into the bowl. Flip the dough over so that the whole surface is oiled. This will help to prevent the dough from drying out. Cover the bowl with a clean wet tea towel or cling wrap. Allow it to rise for 45 minutes.

Remove the dough and place it on the floured surface. Knead for 2 minutes or until it forms a smooth ball. Roll the ball into a log and cut it into 3 even pieces. Then roll each of the three pieces in logs about 14 inches (35 cm) long.

Forming the loaf

Place the three pieces next to each other and press their ends firmly together. Now braid to form a loaf. Press the end pieces together and tuck both sides in to make sure the braid is secure.

Allow to rise for another 45 minutes. While you wait, whisk together the egg yolk and a teaspoon of water. When done rising, brush the egg mixture on the top of the bread. This will create a crispy golden crust.

In an oven-proof dish, place the ice cubes and put them in the preheated oven together with the bread and bake for 30 minutes. The ice cubes will make your crust even better. To test if your bread is ready, turn the loaf over and tap the bottom with your knuckle. It should sound hollow.

• Remove your freshly baked loaf and allow it to cool on a wire rack. Enjoy immediately with a dollop of butter or place in a plastic bag and seal. You can also wrap your loaf in a clean tea towel and place it in the fridge.

Print the Guyanese Plait Bread recipe:

How did your bread turn out? Let us know in the comments! Be sure to check out our other posts for more delicious recipes

Thanks for stopping by,

Wilke