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Orange Walnut Braids

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These soft and tender Cinnamon Roll Braids are accented with sweet, citrus-y Orange and tender Walnuts.  I love them with my morning coffee, but they make a terrific treat any time of day!

These Orange Walnut Braids are just like the Panera Pecan Braids- with a twist!

Whew!  Another week is just about behind us now.  Can you believe it?  I feel like time just keeps whizzing past; every time I turn around here we are closing out the week again.

Was it a good one for you?  Have you kept warm?  Have you gotten a lot accomplished?  Have you eaten well?

I have eaten very very very well this week 😉  Thanks in part to these babies, which I have been nibbling on with my morning coffee, as a little afternoon pick-me-up, and even a few times for dessert!

These Orange Walnut Braids are just like the Panera Pecan Braids- with a twist!

So, basically, I live under a rock.  As a busy mom, and as someone who works from home, and as  just a general hermit-ish person, there are a lot of trends that I don’t stumble across pretty until pretty late in the game, if at all.  You may remember that it was just barely over a year ago that I jumped on the Peppermint Mocha bandwagon.  Most of the time, if I’m hungry, I just make myself something to eat!  So I end up going through life blissfully unaware of things like Bang-Bang Shrimp and Petite Vanilla Bean Scones and Zuppa Toscana and Pecan Braids.

But just before Christmas, I was out shopping with the fam when hunger struck.  There was a Panera across the street so we decided to pop in and grab ourselves some lunch.  I ordered myself some soup and they offered me a sweet treat for 99 cents more.  Because I have an insatiable sweet tooth am willing to tirelessly research food trends for the benefit of my readers, I went for it.  I chose a Pecan Braid and figured I’d save it for next morning’s breakfast.  Ha!

It smelled so good I had to sneak a little nibble on the car ride home.  A little nibble was followed by another, bigger nibble, and then a big open wide mouthful, and then I decided I’d just eat half, and then before I knew it that Pecan Braid was just a distant memory.  A distant, delicious memory.

I had no choice but to recreate that Pecan Braid!  So that is just what I did, with a little bit of a Walnut and Orange spin!

These Orange Walnut Braids are just like the Panera Pecan Braids- with a twist!

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Orange Walnut Braids

These soft and tender Cinnamon Roll Braids are accented with sweet, citrus-y Orange and tender Walnuts. A terrific treat- any time of day!


Yield: 6 pastries

Ingredients:

For the Dough:



  • 1/3 cup warm water

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 packet dry active yeast

  • 2 tablespoons buttermilk

  • 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil

  • 1 large egg

  • anywhere from 2 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • zest of one navel orange (or 2-3 clementines)


For the Filling:



  • 2/3 cup light brown sugar

  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened


For the Orange Glaze:



  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • zest of half a navel orange (or 1-2 clementines)

  • 1-2 tablespoons orange juice


Directions:

To Make the Dough:



  1. Preheat the oven to its lowest setting (on my oven it's 170 degrees F).

  2. Stir the warm water and sugar together, in a large mixing bowl.  Sprinkle the yeast over the surface and set aside for 5-10 minutes, or until slightly foamy.

  3. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, oil, and egg.  Add to the yeast mixture, stirring to combine.

  4. Add the flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and forms a ball.  (You may not need all of the flour.)

  5. Add in the salt and orange zest, and transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface.  Knead the dough for 5 minutes, or until it takes on a silky texture.

  6. Lightly mist the mixing bowl with non-stick spray, and place the dough back in.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel.  Turn the oven off and place the covered bowl in to proof, about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.


To Make the Filling and Form the Braids:



  1. Place the brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon, cornstarch, and cloves in a small bowl and mix to combine.

  2. Preheat the oven to its lowest setting.  Punch down the dough and roll out to a large rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick.  Cut the rectangle into six equal squares, and butter each one liberally, maintaining a clean 1/2-inch border around all four edges.  Spread an even layer of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the soft butter.

  3. Roll each square up into a log, pinching the sides to seal.  Cut each log down the center long-ways, leaving the tippy end still attached.  Twist into braids and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Turn off the oven and place the braids in to proof a second time, again, 1-2 hours or until doubled.

  4. Remove the braids from the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Bake the braids for 15-17 minutes, or until puffed and slightly golden.  Cool completely, then drizzle with Orange Glaze.


To Make the Orange Glaze:



  1. Place the powdered sugar and zest in a small bowl and stir in just enough orange juice to reach a drizzling consistency.


©

These Orange Walnut Braids are just like the Panera Pecan Braids- with a twist!

I watched this video to learn how to form the braids.  This guy is a freaking machine!  My efforts were a bit more clumsy, but I managed to get the job done.  😉

The bread component is soft and pillowy, and a little bit gooey.  And the filling is cinnamon like whoa!  The tender walnuts are such a nice compliment and that hint of orange just makes them so special.  I hope you’ll give them a try!

Have a wonderful weekend, my dears!  Enjoy it while it lasts- do something wintry like go ice skating or sip hot cocoa or curl up in front of the fire with a good book.  Before we know it we’ll be saying goodbye to Old Man Winter!

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Comments

  1. Like you, I’ve been a major hermit lately too. It’s just so cold outside. I try to avoid stepping even one foot out the door like the plague. Ahhh, the luxury of working from home. It’s the best, isn’t it. Now, I don’t have to go out for my favorite treat. #winning

    Reply

  2. Wow, these look so good! I’m feeling the same with the weeks, I can’t believe how quickly they are flying by, it’s pretty scary actually – I have big plans for 2015, but I feel like I’ve lost loads of time already!

    Reply

  3. I always feel like I live under a rock. I get crazy looks when I’m like, “Huh, what’s that… never heard of it.” Sometimes it makes me feel old, like a granny. Ha! I’ll just go stuff my face with these braids. They’re gorgeous by the way!

    Reply

  4. My kids and I love Panera Bread when we are out and about. . your orange-walnut-braid looks so much better!!! LOVE!!! and trying to stay warm over here, Allie. . Madison’s restaurant week starts Sunday so we are trying two restaurants. . I’m excited!! the little things. . happy weekend!!!

    Reply

  5. There’s a Panera a couple blocks away from my apartment, yet somehow I always forget it’s there. They also have the best chocolate chip cookies! Love these braids so much!! I have friends coming to visit for the weekend in a few weeks, and these will be so perfect!

    Reply

  7. I am super impressed with these, Allie! Panera is my kids’ favorite restaurant when we go out to lunch (which isn’t all that often, either), but I’ve never tried their pecan braids. I love the orange spin that you gave these, and can’t wait to try making them at home!

    Reply

  9. I used to be obsessed with Panera Bread but have to admit, we haven’t gone in a while so I love that you recreated the braids. Your orange walnut version sounds even more amazing – I would gobble them up in no time too! They look gorgeous!

    Reply

  10. My first non-babysitting job in high school was working for Panera, so I got burnt out on their bakery treats for awhile. But I’m back to loving them…and this orange-walnut “twist” on their twist (yep, I’m punny!) looks amazing!

    Reply

  14. So glad you picked up that pecan braid for inspiration! This looks absolutely delicious! Almost too pretty to eat…. almost 😉 Love the addition of orange too.

    Reply

  17. These look soo good and I’m sure they taste 10x better than the ones from Panera Bread. Not to dis them or anything but homemade is generally better. Nothing wrong with being a hermit…I’m totally one myself! 🙂

    Reply

  20. So first off, I’m obsessed with this combination of flavors! Orange+walnut+cinnamon roll is probably my dream pastry. Swoooning! And your photography? GORGEOUS! Please send me 20 😉

    Reply

  25. I’ve never had that pecan braid at Panera despite the fact we’ve taken the kids there a bazillion times! I don’t even think I noticed them, so who lives under a rock? haha I love the flavors you used here, and these are just stunners! Pinned. 🙂

    Reply

  27. This recipe grabbed my attention this morning because I’m about to make a cake with oranges later in the day. I love that these have so many warm, winter flavours in them! Oh, and what beautiful photos (but that goes without saying, really)
    You’re right that we should make the most of the day this Sunday. Here in the UK it’s one of those beautiful freezing but sparkingly beautiful days. Enjoy your day too, Allie!

    Reply

    • Aw that sounds lovely Helen! It’s frozen here today too; we were supposed to have a family brunch this morning but it got cancelled because of all the ice, and we’re having an afternoon get together at my house instead. I’m so glad! We’re going to have a fire and football games on tv and I’m thinking it will be so cozy! Thank you so much for the sweet comment my dear, I’m looking forward to seeing your orange cake!

      Reply

  28. Bahaha I love your description of driving home and eating the whole braid that you were going to eat for breakfast. That is EXACTLY what I would do. I mean, you had good intentions of self control. But the braid just screamed your name, and you had to eat it. Hehe. The flavors in this braid look lovely. I’ve been thinking lately I want to try making bread. Yeast still intimidates me. I know, I know…silly really. I just need to DO IT 😉 I’ve missed your blog Allie. I’ll be around more!

    Reply

    • That is exactly what happened! I could not stop. It was so good! And you know, I have been so weird about yeast for so long. It was a new year’s goal for me to conquer my fears and I’ve actually already done 3 yeast bread posts so far. The more I do it the easier and more enjoyable it’s becoming. Good luck to you and thank you!!!

      Reply

  29. Beautiful work, Allie! There’s nothing like a bit of pasty in the morning and these are not only mouthwatering, but they’re beautiful too! I’m certain they taste amazing with that hint of orange and cinnamon filling! These are way better than what you can buy in any chain store. Thank you, Allie, you inspire every time I open a post! <3

    Reply

  34. I’m really glad you included the link to the video because I am much better seeing it than reading and then trying to picture it my head! These seriously look SO good! I’m going to try making some myself 🙂

    Reply

  37. Oh Panera is the death of me! I lived there for two years while taking classes when I started grad school and just love their pastries. So glad you tried the braid and now we get a recipe! This is why I love you …so creative always! Oh and don’t worry about the trends, some of us know about them but barely try them as most are out there lol! I do however love bang bang shrimp! we have a local restaurant that makes the best bang bang chicken and shrimp noodles that I just cannot seem to have enough of this past month. So good!

    Reply

  40. Hello Allie,
    Does it matter if the dough is made with a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment or should it be made by hand with a wooden spoon?
    Thanks

    Reply

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