Yes, I'd like to know that secret too! I made a wonderful new recipe (see June recipes thread) and the baked bread unrolls when sliced. The recipe called for some butter to be spread on the dough before adding the filling and rolling. Could the butter be the culprit? I did roll the dough quite tightly when forming the loaf.

Teresa

Pink, I don't know about you but I know Teresa is very experienced at bread making so I can't believe I, the almost non-baker even has the nerve to comment but....here goes. Since I know there's a potential problem, I would probably not butter the bread all the way to the edge of the dough and I would pinch the seam (which you've probably already done).

Why don't you both try again and if it doesn't work, just send it to me and I'll take care of it for you.

jude

I'm not sure if there is any "science" to support this, but I never slather the dough with butter and I don't have a problem with separation. I suspect the additional moisture from butter/margarine contributes to the separation.

I handle the dough with oiled hands (coconut oil) and pat the dough out with my hands onto a Silpat (no bench flour necessary). I've also suspected that too much bench flour may also contribute to the separation, and a Silpat needs none.

Another point, according to Peter Reinhart, don't pat the dough out too thin. One-half inch is about as thin as you want the dough for swirled loaves, or if you are making cinnamon rolls. If you experience tough and chewy cinnamon rolls, you may be patting the dough out too thin.

Easy enough things to try to see if you get different results.

-Grainlady

To follow up:

~ I did leave the top edge of the dough unbuttered where you pinch the seam together, then lay seam side down in the pan

~ as the dough was oily, I did not have to use any extra flour when working to roll/press out the dough

~ I am planning to try this loaf again and NOT butter the dough before topping with the cinnamon/raisin/nut/orange zest mixture.

Thanks for your replies! I'd love to hear from others!
Teresa

I patted out the dough to 1/2" thick per the recipe. The spiral looks lovely - just won't stay together.

Oh good Lord, Teresa, that sound so yummy but my offer still goes if it doesn't work!

jude

teresa:
I do as Grainlady but since I Baste the top, w Egg, milk mix, when it is turning Tan,
I'll use some on the outside edge of the dough, before
rolling it.

then I'll fold the ends under and place it in the Loaf pan.
Seam down.
Lou

Perhaps it is the butter. I've seen recipes from KAF that don't use butter at all in the swirl filling. Some simply pat the spices into the dough & then roll; another recipe brushes the dough with milk to create a glue; and still others use a beaten egg.

From KAF: "Brush with beaten egg. Why? Well, have you ever sliced a loaf of swirl bread and found big gaps in between the swirl and the bread? The protein in the egg will help cement the filling to the bread. ItÂs not foolproof; but it sure helps. YouÂll have some beaten egg left over; save it for brushing onto the top of the loaf later."

Maybe one of those techniques would help.

Thanks, Shambo! I didn't think to check on KAF! I know I've had this problem before, but I will try the beaten egg or milk next time - or maybe I'll try both!

Teresa

teresa :
That's what I said to do. You don't have to check with KAF,
NBC, ABC. It works.
I put on a thin layer of egg , milk mix , when I sprinkle on , some Brown Sugar, Cinnamon and Raisens.

I never knew there was a potential for a problem....and never have one.
What's the bread recipe? Is it a buttery dough?
I guess I would say the secret is to pinch the roll to seal it well.
I don't add any milk or butter glaze to the top because it has a tendency to get too dark before the loaf is completely done.
I sometimes make a brown sugar, cinnamon and peanutbutter rolled loaf, and pinch the edges very well to seal it. The kids love it!
Linda C

Many thanks for all the interesting replies. At least I know it's not just my problem. Will try the egg/milk mix.

Me too! Thanks PWM1 for asking!