Blackberry Pastry Bread

Directions

1. 1
   Combine the milk, 1 tablespoon sugar, and the yeast in a large bowl; stir the egg yolks and whipping cream into the milk mixture.
2. 2
   Allow to rest for 10 minutes.
3. 3
   Whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl.
4. 4
   Cut in the cold butter with a knife or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. 5
   (This can also be done in a food processor: pulse the cold butter or shortening until it's the size of small peas.
6. 6
   Turn mixture into a bowl and proceed.)
7. 7
   Stir in yeast mixture until combined.
8. 8
   Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.
9. 9
   Turn dough onto a lightly floured board.
10. 10
    Divide the dough into three portions and shape them into balls.
11. 11
    Toss blackberries with sugar.
12. 12
    Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
13. 13
    Grease a baking sheet.
14. 14
    Roll each ball out to a 9x12-inch rectangle.
15. 15
    Spoon blackberries evenly onto the center third of each rectangle, width-wise.
16. 16
    Using a knife, cut about 9 slanting lines along each side approximately 1 inch apart.
17. 17
    Create a braid by folding alternating strips from each side, overlapping the berries.
18. 18
    Place the pastry braid onto the prepared baking sheet.
19. 19
    Repeat with the remaining two portions.
20. 20
    Cover with a light cloth and let rise in a warm place (80 to 95 degrees F (27 to 35 degrees C)) until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
21. 21
    Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
22. 22
    Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar before serving.