I paint two layers on the bread just prior to sticking in the oven. The coat goes over the egg+honey wash. The coat is just vodka and cinnamon mixed together until I get the shade that I want. I think this technique is called spice painting but not sure.
I tried it a few times before just more work so haven't done it a lot.
Take the flour and put it in a skillet mixing constantly on low heat for about 5 minutes. The flour smells like toast and the bread smells like it when it's done. You have to bring the water levels up. Haven't tried it with braided bread yet so not sure.