I feel like I have a bit of a connection with Mother’s Day. No, I’m not a mother but having a birthday on May 8th means that often Mother’s Day overlaps with my birthday (or at least the Mother’s Day weekend). This year, my birthday is the day before and all I want is a simple birthday really. I told Mr NQN all I wanted was a few simple things: sushi and sashimi for dinner, a massage, the Stieg Larsson trilogy, a new Moleskine and I wanted to watch my favourite TV shows in bed. Who says I don’t have simple tastes? 
And this bread. Yes I wanted this bread on my birthday.
Luckily I am not a tyrant (I know you might be thinking of the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland) and I realise that asking Mr NQN to make this for me means that a) it just won’t happen and b) more importantly I won’t get to eat this. So I made this and I gave a frozen one to my mother to eat on Sunday and I slipped another one in the deep freeze for him to heat up for me in the morning.
I remember Barbara’s fantastic Candy Cane Kolache from Christmas which I always wanted to make and it appeared to be the perfect recipe-after all you get a heart when you put two candy canes together. I used her white bread roll recipe which worked a treat. I decided to make use of the lovely Bramley apples that I found on the Farmgate trail which are said to be hard to find but the best cooking apples on earth according to the British. I made the dough the night before as I wanted it to really rest well and not bounce back because of the plaiting I was going to do. I also made the custard and apples then too as I was nervous enough about doing the plaiting as it was and I didn’t want the chaos of a sinkful of dishes to put me off even more (yes I don’t like sinkfuls of dirty dishes, oh the horreur!).
I think it’s particularly suited to Mother’s Day as we always used to make my mother breakfast in bed when we were little. I’m sure she was just grateful for the chance to sleep in and making breakfast occupied us for at least an extra 30 minutes so that she was woken at 7am instead of 6:30am by us. I don’t do it anymore of course, that would be strange to let myself in to their house and start baking and I’m sure they’d think that it were an intruder rather than a surprise breakfast maker.
It ended up tasting wonderfully good, like a Danish but more bread like, the soft apples and custard and sweetened white chocolate drizzle were just a slice of heaven and using the bread improver always gives it that extra edge for softness. If anything they reminded me of those lethally addictive apple and custard scrolls from Bakers Delight (you know the ones with the shiny white icing that have about a day’s worth of calories in each one? ). I was over the moon with happiness when I tried these and that’s not even counting the reaction from Mr NQN and my dad who were delighted that they didn’t have to cook breakfast this weekend!
So tell me Dear Reader, did you make breakfast for your mum when you were a kid and what did you make?
Mother’s Day Heart Shaped Breakfast Braid
Makes one large heart that can feed six people
For dough
- 1 1/2 cups bread flour
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 3/4 teaspoon bread improver
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1-2 teaspoons oil for greasing
For filling
- 1 cup vanilla custard (I made it using custard powder, vanilla bean paste, sugar and milk)
- 2 large (about 350grams whole) cooking apples – I used Bramley apples
- 2 tablespoons sultanas
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
To decorate
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of milk for egg wash
- 50grams/1.7ozs white chocolate
Buyer’s tip: Bread Improver can be found in the baking and flour aisle of supermarkets (I bought it at Coles)
1. For dough, in the bowl of an electric mixer, add flour,bread improver, salt, yeast and sugar. Mix until well combined. In a small saucepan mix the milk and butter until the butter has melted but it is not too hot – a slightly warmer than lukewarm temperature(too hot and you will kill the yeast). Add egg and whisk and then turn the dough hook onto low and pour this mixture gradually into the flour mix. If it needs a bit more flour to become less sticky, add it in 1 tablespoon amounts. Knead until elastic (about 5 minutes). Shape into a ball and place in a greased bowl and turn the dough around in the greased bowl so that the ball is covered in oil. Place cling wrap on top and rest in fridge overnight or for 1 to 1.5 hours in a warm place.
2. Make apple filling by placing cubed apples, sultanas, cinnamon and brown sugar with 2 tablespoons of water in a saucepan and cook until apples are soft but not mushy. Cool. You can also put this in the fridge until you want to make it.
3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 200C/400F and line a large baking tray with parchment. If your dough was in the fridge, let it rest outside for about 10 minutes or so to soften up. Then place on a lightly floured surface and with a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out into a long rectangle. You will need to trim it with a sharp paring knife and ruler but essentially you want a 70cms (28 inch) long rectangle that is 15cms (6 inches) wide. Cut this rectangle in half so that you have two 15cm/6inch by 35cm/14 inch rectangles. Keep the braid trimmings to make a bow or do do patch jobs if you need it.
4. To cut the braid dough, I used whatever I could get my hands on for a guide-it turned out to be a sushi mat. Cut strips on the side-you don’t want to cut the strips too long as that will mean that the “body” of the pastry is too thin. Make concurrent matching cuts on both sides at the same height. Then leaving a space at the top and bottom, spoon some of the apple filling (don’t use the liquid) and then a little custard. It’s best not to overfill it. Fold over the top and bottom as they will prevent the filling leaking. Then taking the left strip, cross it over and then cross over the right. Keep doing it for all of them. This will end up being one half of the heart.
5. Carefully transfer this over to the parchment and curve it around so that it looks like one half of the heart. Repeat the process with the second rectangle of pastry and join the two heart halves together. Make a long ribbon with the extra bread dough trimmings and shape a bow. If there are any large gaps with the filling showing, you can add a few more strips. Brush with egg wash and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. And don’t forget if you have extra dough, to roll it out, fill it with any extra custard and apple and make yourself a cook’s treat
6. Once baked, melt white chocolate in a double boiler or in a microwave and drizzle it over the bread.
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85 Comments | Add your own
Wow this looks stunning!Excellent work Lorraine!And my best wished for your birthday!!! Your plans truly sound perfect
Lots of love, Maria 
Gorgeous!! I loved the one time I tried braiding like this with dough. I would’ve never thought to do a heart shape, though — so pretty.
Oh, it is so pretty! A lovely creation!
Cheers,
Rosa
Beautiful! Most impressed by the controlled rise which let the delicate bow keep its shape…
WOW, Lorraine! I’m SO impressed.
It’s truly gorgeous and cozily decadent. 
HAPPIEST of Birthdays to you, dear lady. 
You bring such joy and inspiration to me each day through your blog. 
I hope this year is absolutely beautiful for you. 
WOW that looks AMAZING! I’m going to put that down on my Mother’s Day menu
How important is adding the bread improver into the dough? I have never heard or seen it before.
Hi Lorraine,
Can bread improvers be found in supermarkets in Sydney? Or do I need to visit a specialty store?
Am looking forward to trying this recipe out for my mothers’ group!!
Regards,
Evelyn
oh that looks so sweet! We used to make mum scrambled eggs – and yes – we are doing the same for her this year – albeit with a few ‘adult’ additions…I am thinking bellinis would make a nice beverage
PS – Hope you have a wonderfully fantastic birthday!!!
That looks beautiful! Hope you enjoy your birthday
I hope you all your birthday wishes come true, sweetie!
This breakfast braid is gorgeous and I love the filling!
That looks scrumptious. I’m going to make sure my (future) children know how to cook so they can make me this!
I apparently made my mum a sandwich using anything I could find when I was about 5 years old. She told me should would eat it later (really threw it out). Cute…
You are so creative. You’ve really taken this bread to a whole new level. So gorgeous! I know you’ll have one happy Mom.
xoxo
Mum
Is there any substitution for custard powder? I’ve never seen it or for that matter heard of it. Maybe I’ll substitute in my standard cream cheese danish filling instead.
That looks perfect for mothers day and what better way to show mum you love her by making a sweet treat.
But were the Bramley apples all you could have wished for?? (am English, so have a proprietary interest..) plus I am VERY excited to have read that they are becoming available here – they’re such an integral part of real English puddings!
Great idea Lorraine – then you make sure you get to eat the food you want! Happy birthday for the 8th – I hope you get all the presents you want
Happy Birthday Lorraine! My birthday falls on Mother’s Day this year, so there will be double the celebrations!
What a fantastic thing to make for mothers day. Its so cute. My mum would love this. Happy Birthday for Saturday. I hope you have a fun and relaxed day. I bet Mr NQN will spoil you.
Oh lovely! I recently discovered the ‘fringe plait method’ I love it!
How yummy would this be for breakfast…? Mmmmm!
WOW!! This is stunning.
I always ask my hubby for a gift certificate for a spa massage on my birthday, too. Now, if only he would make this breakfast braid for me. Lorraine, can you put in a good word with him for me?
Love it Lorraine. A great idea.And it looks delicious.
This is beautiful! I also am wondering about where I could hunt down bread improver in Sydney! We used to “poach” an egg for mum and put it on toast – poaching consisted of putting an egg in a mug and sticking it in the microwave for 20 seconds. Poor mum!
She always ate it though. Happy Birthday for Sat.
Breakfast for Mum on Mother’s Day was never overly fancy. Usually just toast or pancakes but always served in bed!
Happy Birthday for Saturday!!!
BuBbles
x.
How exciting… we share the same birthdate! Good on you for organizing, baking and blogging this one in advance! The next few days are super busy but I will try to squeeze this one in, (using Thermomix of course), as your photos are truly inspiring. Cheers,
Oh my what beautiful bread you have
My birthday is the 7th! No wonder I have a love of food and all things delicious like you! Happy birthday for saturday. I hope you get all of your requests! The braid looks gorgeous and I wish that someone would make it for me
.
I love it when you cook stuff. Apart from making my mouth water, I love looking at the photos of the processes!
This looks delish!
Oh wow Lorraine how stunning!!
Yes I did make my mum breakfast in bed for Mother’s day! It is funny, I don’t actually like breakfast in bed so Josh does make breakfast but it is a lazy event reading the papers hopefully in a sunny part of the house
Happy birthday for Saturday and have a glorious weekend.
How beautiful – I’m definitely going to attempt this for Mum. Hopefully it will inspire my Dad, who was a baker before he married but has never actually cooked for us, to make some us of his much-lauded croissants!
Happy birthday for Saturday, Lorraine!! Hope you have a fantastic day!
That heart braid looks delicious!! I would love to attempt making this…one day
Prettiest thing ever! Why not bread for a birthday? It’s your special day and you can have your bread and at it too!
Oops, I meant EAT it too!
It has a BOW!
Looks lovely!! happy birthday for this weekend!
Oh, don’t you just love those apple scrolls from Bakers Delight? I’m sure you mum will love this gorgeous plaited bread, too.
And happy birthday for the 8th!
You are beautiful what a lovely thing to do for someone else especially your Mum
I hope that you and her both enjoy your special breakfasts and have a wonderful day
Looks fabulous!
Be prepared for many late nights of reading with those three books should they arrive for your birthday – I read the last one until 2am I was so determined to find out what happened!! Have a lovely birthday.
As to Mother’s Day breakfasts – it is too long ago to remember. I wont be with my 6 year old this year on Mother’s Day due to work, but I will be in San Francisco alone with a credit card for company – which sounds almost as good. I might even get a swish breakfast in bed thanks to room service!!
Looks fantastic Lorraine. This is my type of type of bread, yum. Everything you could want,apples,sultanas,cinnamon. Can’t think of anything more perfect.
I am a danish lover, bready custardy fruity goodness mmmmmm nom nom nom so yummy. Your twist (excuse the pun) on the candy cane is divine the heart is just so pretty and perfect for mothers day….great job Lorraine.
Gday! I have never made one of these before, but THIS inspired me to do! LOVE the step by step photos, TRUE!
PS Will use it as a “Make for ANY occasion” too!:)
THANKS!
Aw, I was feeling quite fine about missing out on seeing my Mum this Mothers’ Day (like normal), as I’d posted her card and organised her gift in plenty of time, but now I’m feeling a little sad about it all! Great braid Lorraine, looks packed with love
My Mum isn’t a fan of the fry up breaky but I’ve been known to make her pancakes with golden syrup with success!
This is adorable- the little bow’s such a nice touch!
To answer your question, nope I never made breakfast for my mum as a kid although I’m trying to make it up now heh. I did however buy her little gifts and make cards. I still wonder how she managed to feign delight when presented with notebooks and little erasers ha!
Beautiful!
Best wishes for a very happy birthday and a splendid year of cooking and eating ahead!
Cxx.
that looks gorgeous Lorraine. I’ll be right over.
prinn x
You’ve the same b’day as my mum! Double pressie shopping for me… That braiding techniques looks quite tricky…
mmmmm! looks delicious.Could be just the thing for our Mothers Day picnic breakfast. (My Mum’s birthday falls ON Mothers Day this year, so has to be extra special!)
looks fantastic – just what I could have a slice of right now with some tea – or for breakfast would be excellent – hope you have a happy birthday – even if you have to make the food yourself (though I know for some of us that is a joy anyway)
This looks really good. Hope you have a lovely birthday
This is gorgeous and would be absolutely perfect for Mother’s day. This is the first one I get to celebrate though my daughter is turning 6 but we have been celebrating her birthday on Mother’s day weekend all these years but this year it’s closer to the following weekend
I know exactly how you feel sharing your birthday with “Mother’s Day” Im also a May 8th birthday girl, so Happy Birthday for Saturday…if you do have children in the future (I have a 3yr old) it becomes an extra special weekend! I now look forward to the double day treat
I really like how you did the bow at the end
Happy birthday for Saturday 
xx
What a sweet treat! I usually make cinnamon buns with caramel sauce for my mother on Mother’s Day, but I will try this on Sunday for an extra-special treat!
Beautiful as usual, you are a real star, and Happy Birthday!
Ooooooh,….aaaaaaaah,….oooooooh,…I am truly GOBSMACKED by your culinary adventures & making of this lovely looking bread!
It nearly looks fab enough to eat!
That looks scrumptious! Beautiful pictures
so Prettay~~
Great looking pastry, I always wondered how these things were made.
i love hearts! and bread! and apples! and mothers! so you had to make your own gift–at least you know it was done right!
What a fabulous day you’re going to have by the sounds of it! So lovely, and I’m so envious!
Very Happy Birthday to you Lorraine.
Oh, this bread looks so beautiful and delicious! I would LOVE this for Mother’s day and any day!
Happy Birthday!
OMGosh………I love sweet breads like this, filled with custard and apples. Mmmmm I have to make it!!
I have made breakfast for my mum many times as a kid and teenager and even now when I make something scrumptious, like billowy, syrupy pancakes, I take her some with her daily morning espresso( as she lives behind my house). I love my mum to bits and can’t do enough for her
Happy Birthday for the 8th
I like this idea very much!
http://www.brisbanebaker.blogspot.com
Happy be early b’day Lorraine. This is wonderful. Can you pop in in the mail for my mothers day?
my birthday is today!The 6th,so I know what you mean.I make sure that my family doesn’t pass off 2 holidays as 1 as that just isn’t fair! breakfast in bed is always a trial, pretending to be alsleep for that extra bit. sometimes I get up and have a quick shower then hop back into my pjs and bed. Happy birthday for the 8th!
Beautiful bread (and it sounds delicious)! You never cease to amaze me!
Happy Almost Birthday! I love your My Day plans.
You make it look easy, yet taste complex. Perfect. Happy Birthday. I suppose you’re a mother as your blog is your baby, right?
That looks perfect for mother’s day. I’ve always wondered how these braids were made. Happy Birthday Lorraine
That looks absolutely delicious! I love the use of the sushi mat.
Happy Birthday for 2 days time! And custard in bread, who woulda thunk it? Too bad my mum can’t have dairy or wheat… ah well, can’t win ‘em all. I can still look at this and sigh over it!
An early happy birthday to you, Lorraine =) You share a birthday with my mother!
That is so beautifully shaped, Lorraine! Love it!
That’s so pretty! I’ve never made breakfast for my mum actually. I started cooking when I came overseas and so I’m rarely at home to cook for my family.
That Looks Amazing!!!
Hi. I like your blog. This bread is beautiful and sounds delicious. I saw your name (Lorraine) on another blog. It caught my eye because my real name is Lorraine. Nice to meet another Lorraine.
Happy birthday my friend and million times again.
Very beautiful and delicious bread.
Gorgeous!!!
You’ll mom will be proud of you.
Goodness gracious Lorraine…how stealth you are with your braiding skills. I want to make this now!
Love your work as always…
And an early happy birthday! May it be filled with lots of fabulous foodie fun x
Happy Birthday for the 8th! That is such a beautiful braid – it is perfect!
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Lorraine
Happy Birthday to you!!!
Have a great day…Dzintra♥x
Beautiful. I guess we both had the same idea for mother’s day breakfast treats, but I think yours is all together more lovely. Amazing job as usual!
*kisses* HH
That looks delicious!
Looking very yummy
My family used to take out my mum to dinner but me and my brother helped doing houseworks when we were kids.
Living oversea makes harder to celebrate a day like this with my family, but I always make sure that she gets flowers on mother’s day!
And Happy happy birthday Lorraine
Now this looks GOOD! Funnily enough, it was my birthday a week ago, I guess that means we’re both taureans! Happy belated xx
Hi NQN.. i like this. where do you get instant yeast from? i have come across a few recipes that need it but im not sure where to get it!
I tried this on the weekend and my family absolutely loved it! Thank you for posting this, your instructions were so easy to follow and nothing got burnt!
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