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Zopf

A glossy braided loaf of rich milk bread — the centerpiece of every Swiss Sunday breakfast.

⏱ 30 minPrep time
🔥 35 minCook time
🍽 8Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Zopf, tresse au lait dorée, pain du dimanche suisse

Zopf is Switzerland’s Sunday-morning braid: a glossy, golden loaf of milk bread with a tender crumb and a beautifully burnished crust. It is the smell of the weekend.

Made with butter, milk, and eggs, it is braided before baking and traditionally shared at breakfast with butter, jam, and coffee. A proper Zopf pulls apart in soft, feathery ribbons.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk with the sugar; let stand 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and beaten egg, and knead into a smooth, elastic dough, about 10 minutes.
  3. Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.
  4. Divide the dough in half and roll each piece into a long rope about 18 inches. Twist the ropes together and tuck the ends under, or make a classic 4-strand braid.
  5. Place on a parchment-lined sheet, cover, and let rise 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  6. Brush with the egg yolk glaze and bake 30–35 minutes until deep golden and hollow-sounding when tapped. Cool on a rack.

💡 Chef tips & storage

The dough should be soft and silky—add a touch more flour only if it is hopelessly sticky. Brush the glaze twice for an extra-glossy crust.

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Recipe details

Prep30 min
Cook35 min
Servings8
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →