If you’re looking for a brunch main that will totally impress your guests, you’ve come to the right place. This pull-apart loaf is super sharable and looks like you had to go to pastry school to learn to construct it. But I swear—it’s really easy! Just make the dough, cover it in cinnamon sugar, slice and bake. You’re gonna be a hit at the breakfast table! —AS
SERVES 4 TO 6
LOAF
2¼ tsp (7 g) active dry yeast
1¼ cups (300 ml) warm water
2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
1½ cups (230 g) whole wheat pastry flour
¼ cup (50 g) sugar
⅛ tsp salt
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil, plus extra for the bowl and pan
FILLING
1 cup (200 g) sugar
2 tsp (6 g) ground cinnamon
4 tbsp (60 g) vegan butter
FOR THE LOAF
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a loaf pan and set it aside.
Mix the active dry yeast into the warm water and set it aside.
In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour, sugar, salt, olive oil and yeast mixture. Knead the mixture on medium speed until the dough formed is smooth and well incorporated. It shouldn’t be too sticky, but you may add a few drops of water as needed if it seems too dry.
Form the dough into a ball and place it in a large, lightly greased mixing bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean dishtowel and place it somewhere warm to double in size, about 1 to 2 hours.
FOR THE FILLING
While the dough rises, you can prepare the cinnamon-sugar filling by whisking together the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl. In a separate small bowl, melt the vegan butter. Set them aside.
Once the dough has risen, turn it onto a lightly floured surface and use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to about 12 x 20 inches (30 x 50 cm).
Brush the rolled-out dough evenly with the melted butter, and spread the entirety of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top. Using a pizza cutter or pastry knife, cut the dough into 6 long strips, lengthwise. Stack the strips and slice them into 6 even stacks. Lay the stacks onto their sides in the greased loaf pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden. Then pull them from the oven and let them cool before enjoying.
*SEE PHOTO INSERT