Sweet Cinnamon Braid Bread

I am always looking for a tastier sweet bread recipe.   This one is phenomenal. 

• ½ c warm water
• 3 t yeast
• 1 ½ t salt
• 3 T sugar
• 3 c flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1 ½ sticks of butter, melted

 Grease a large bowl with butter and set aside.
 
Place the warm water, yeast, salt and sugar in a large bowl and mix on low speed until incorporated. Add eggs and butter and mix until combined.  Mix in the flour, one cup at a time until the dough comes together.   Place the dough on a lightly floured board.   Place the dough in the prepared bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draft-free location until the dough has doubled in size. 

• 1/2 cup butter melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Grease a loaf pan and set aside.
 
While the dough is rising, place the butter in a large, shallow bowl and stir in the vanilla.   In another bowl whisk together the brown sugar and cinnamon.
 
Sprinkle the inside of the prepared loaf pan with some of the cinnamon and sugar mixture and set aside.
 
After the dough has risen, cut into three equal pieces.   On a lightly floured board, roll each piece into a twelve-inch rope.  Dip each rope through the butter, then, generously sprinkle each rope with the cinnamon and sugar mixture.   Roll each rope in any remaining coating that has gathered on your work surface.   
 
Pinch the ends of the rope together, braid and then pinch the other end together to seal.  Place the braid in the prepared loaf pan.  Cover the pan with plastic wrap and raise in a warm draft-free area another one to two hours or until double in size.
 
After dough has risen, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and make the topping.

• 1 T butter cold
• 1 t cinnamon
• 2 T pecans, chopped

Place the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and pecans in a bowl and work the butter into the sugar until the mixture resembles small peas.
 
Place the loaf on a baking sheet and sprinkle the streusel on top.   Bake for forty-five minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean in the center.  (Tent with foil after fifteen minutes to avoid over browning).
 
Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for ten minutes.  Then turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.