Apricot Breakfast Braid

This is a sweet dough loaf which would be perfect for breakfast as a danish pastry alternative. It is a plaited loaf with a vanilla custard and chopped apricot centre. It is glazed with apricot jam and sprinkled with poppy seeds.

I think the loaf looks great, although it could have possibly been a little wider and therefore slightly shorter. Inside the filling is fantastic, with the bright orange apricot standing out and adding some colour. The dough is just baked and perfectly soft due to the high egg content. The flavours all marry wonderfully. I didn't think the braid structure was going to work but I am incredibly happy as it was a success!