Abundant Blackberry Braided Loaf

Baking bread has been a tradition of the celebration of the first harvest. This makes a lot of sense considering it's a holiday completely based around the first fruits of harvest and harvesting that first grain.

A good harvest represented abundance to cultures in general. Abundance in good health, abundance in luck, you name it.

This bread is perfect for celebrating Lammas and it's abundance.

Ingredients and Their Magickal Properties

As I always mention in my recipe posts, the purpose of what I do as a kitchen witch relies on knowledge and intention.

Yes, this recipe will still taste delicious without transforming it into a spell. However, knowing your ingredients is highly important if you wish to utilize this recipe to help change your mind, body, and spirit.

Below is a list of each added ingredient and its extraordinary power for this recipe. Please note that this is not every magickal benefit of this plant or herb, just the areas I believe should be focused on for this specific recipe.

Blackberries

No better way to celebrate Lammas and the abundance of the first harvest than using blackberries. This little abundance berry has been traditionally used to celebrate Lammas and other first harvest festivals. Which makes sense considering its large abundance this time of year.

For this recipe, using blackberries to not only tap into the abundance around us but to also celebrate and represent our gratitude for the abundance we have.

Magickal Uses: Abundance, Health, Protection, Sweetening

Cinnamon

I've talked about cinnamon more times than I can count. There's a reason for that, however, cinnamon (much like rosemary) is insanely versatile.

Cinnamon is also excellent for abundance magick (esp for wealth) but I recommend you focus on its use of energy to add an extra oomph to your spell.

Magickal Powers: luck, protection, success, lust, love, abundance.

Spell Recipe

How to Implement Magick into the Recipe

*When adding your ingredients, remember to focus on the intention of the ingredient while working with it. (I.E., when stirring in your oats, focus on the intention of your abundance. Not just the idea, but how do they make you feel? How does having these things in your life manifest?

I also recommend using the intentional stirring and speaking method to add to this spell. Simply stir counterclockwise for energies that need to be removed and clockwise for energies that you wish to implement while speaking your incantations (or intention) out loud.

For example, when adding the cinnamon I would stir clockwise three times while speaking to the pot.

Spirit of cinnamon, bless this dish with abundance.

When the recipe is all said and done, I recommend concentrating on an incantation. Although I always recommend creating your own, as spells tend to be more powerful, you can also use the incantation below:

Through this dish, I bring in the blessings of prosperous and loving abundance. May the universe sweeten my life in unforseen ways. So as it's been, so as it is, so as it may be.

*Note, if you are used to tapping into energy and are making a food with one intention in mind (like abundance), you can simply take all the steps and combine them into repeating the one intention while you bake instead of focusing on individual abilities and ingredients. Find what works for you!

Ingredients

• 200 grams of lukewarm water (about 3/4 cups + 2 tbsp)

• 5 grams active yeast (about 1/2 tbsp)

• 2 large eggs

• 1/4 cup honey

• 1/2 stick of salted butter, melted

• 3 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 jar of blackberry preserves

• 2 tsp of cinnamon

• 1/2 cup confectioners (powdered) sugar

• 2 tbsp heavy cream (whole milk or nondairy will work here but will be harder to mix)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit and prepare a cookie sheet

2. In a large bowl, add the active yeast to the lukewarm water (water should be around 90F - 100F).

3. Lightly beat eggs, and add to the large bowl.

4. Add in the honey and salted butter.

5. Sift in flour trying hard not the knead it (i.e. mix lightly with a spoon, or hands if needed).

6. Once mixed, lightly cover the bread dough and let rise at room temperature for 2 hours.

7. Optional to move to the fridge after the dough has risen for it to be easier to work with.

8. Split the dough in half and form into balls. The recipe will make two loaves or one giant bread if you choose to skip this step.

9. Roll the dough onto a floured surface into a rectangle shape 1/4 inch thick. Transfer to cookie sheet.

10. Using a pizza cutter cut 1/2-inch strips down each side. You can see my photo above of it being done aesthetically.

11. Add blackberry preserves to the center of the dough. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

12. Fold strips, left over right, lightly pressing together as you go. For a more traditional and aesthetic braided loaf, twist the strips while you fold them.

13. Optional: Brush the bread with egg wash.

14. Once the bread is braided (and possibly egg washed), add to oven and bake for 35 - 45 minutes.

15. In a separate bowl, add powdered sugar and cream. Mix thoroughly.

16. Once the bread has COMPLETELY cooled (about 20 minutes), drizzle glaze over the bread.

17. Serve and eat with the intention of abundance coming your way.