1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and sugar.
2. Use your fingers to rub the margarine into the flour until it looks like fine crumbs. Stir in the yeast.
3. In a small bowl, mix the lukewarm water and the beaten egg.
4. Pour into the dry mixture and stir until a soft dough forms.
5. Turn the dough onto a floured surface.
6. Knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and stretchy.
7. Cover the dough with greased plastic wrap and let it rest for 10 minutes.
8. Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal pieces.
9. Roll each into a 16-inch (40 cm) rope. Cross them into an X shape.
10. Now braid them:
    1. Take the top right strand and cross it over the bottom left.
    2. Move the bottom left up to the top right.
    3. Cross the top left over the bottom right.
    4. Move the bottom right to the top left.
    5. Repeat the pattern until you’ve reached the end, then pinch the ends together to seal.
11. Place the braid on a greased baking tray. Cover it with greased plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 20–30 minutes.
12. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
13. Brush the loaf with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds.
14. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.

Tips

• For extra softness, brush the hot bread with melted butter after baking.
• You can switch out the sesame seeds for poppy, sunflower, or even flaky salt.
• Let the bread cool before slicing for the cleanest cuts.

This braided sesame bread is simple, soft, and perfect for any meal — or just warm with butter. Once you try it, you’ll want to bake it again and again.