Chocolate-Filled Braid - VeryVera

Chocolate-Filled Braid

Originally Published on May 13, 2020

  • Prep Time: 1h
  • Cook Time: 20m
  • Total Time: 1h 20m

Ingredients

  • 2 c (12-oz. pkg.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
  • 3/4 c (5-fl. oz. can) Evaporated Milk
  • 1/4 c granulated sugar
  • 1 c chopped pecans
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 6 c all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1/4 c granulated sugar
  • 2 pkgs. (1/4 oz. each) active-dry or fast- rising yeast
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 c milk
  • 1 c (2 sticks) butter
  • 1/2 c water
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 c sifted powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp. butter, melted
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 c milk, (just enough for drizzling consistency)

Instructions

  1. FOR CHOCOLATE FILLING:
  2. HEAT morsels, evaporated milk and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in small saucepan until morsels are melted and mixture is smooth; remove from heat.
  3. Stir in nuts, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and cinnamon.
  4. FOR BRAID:
  5. COMBINE 4 cups flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, yeast and salt in large mixer bowl.
  6. HEAT milk, butter and water just until warm (120-130° F) and butter almost melts.
  7. Add milk mixture to flour mixture; add eggs. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl often. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Stir in as much of remaining flour as possible.
  8. TURN dough out onto slightly floured surface. Knead in remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes). Cover; let rest for 10 minutes.
  9. PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Line baking sheets with foil.
  10. DIVIDE dough in quarters. Roll quarter of dough into 9 x 5-inch rectangle. Place dough on one prepared baking sheet. Spread quarter of chocolate filling lengthwise down center of dough. Roll like a jelly roll. Take kitchen shears and cut X\'s on top, the full length of the dough.
  11. Cover; let rise in warm place for 15 minutes.
  12. BAKE for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown; cool completely on baking sheet on wire rack.
  13. FOR ICING:
  14. COMBINE powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons melted butter and remaining vanilla extract in small bowl. Slowly add enough milk for drizzling consistency; stir. Drizzle icing over braids. Cut into slices.