My great great grandmother Niederhauser came to American from Switzerland. She was a fabulous cook and baker; my Grandpa Niederhauser, especially loved her Zuepha, a buttery braided white loaf that was made only on holidays because white flour was too expensive to use every day. When Grandma Niederhauser died, the only copy of the recipe was written in Swiss-German along with her notes. My Grandpa’s siblings sent it to relatives in Switzerland to get the recipe along with Grandma’s notes translated to English so that our family could still enjoy this luscious bread. Bread Machine Zuepha is a favorite with my family, and will become a favorite with yours.

I have been making this bread for decades, and have added sesame seeds to the top, and adapted it to make the dough in the bread machine. I used to take it to Grandpa when he was still alive, and now make it often for family and friends. The full original recipe makes six loaves, but you can make two small loaves or one large one using the bread machine on the dough cycle. It keeps well for a couple of days, and makes incredible French toast.

1 or 2 loaves depending on size

Dough:
11/2 cups lukewarm water
1 egg
1/4 cup instant potato flakes
3 1/2 cups flour, (approximately)
6 tablespoons powdered milk
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon yeast

Topping:
1 beaten egg
2 tablespoons milk
sesame seeds, or poppy seeds, (optional)

1. Place the ingredients, in the order given, in the pan of the automatic bread machine.
2. Set the machine to dough. Check after 5 minutes to make sure the dough makes a soft ball; add more flour if it is too soft to stay in a ball, and more water if the ball is stiff.
3. When the cycle is finished, dump the dough onto a floured board and cut into 3 equal pieces.
4. Roll each piece into a rope about 15" long.
5. Place one rope on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and a second over the first to form an X.
6. Place the remaining rope down the middle of the X.











7. Braid each side from the center, tucking the ends under the loaf.






8. Cover loosely with a dishtowel and let rise until doubled.
9. Beat the egg with the milk and brush on the loaf; Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if you like.
10. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 107 Calories from Fat 23
Percent Total Calories From:
Fat 22% Protein 12% Carb. 66%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 3 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Cholesterol 23 mg
Sodium 231 mg
Total Carbohydrate 18 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 2 g
Protein 3 g

Vitamin A 3% Vitamin C 2% Calcium 0% Iron 2%