Royal sweet bread: step by step

Royal Cake: A Traditional Delight Step by Step

The royal cake is more than just a simple dessert; it is a tradition that brings family and friends together, enveloping them in flavors of walnut, cocoa, and vanilla. Preparing it is not just a culinary activity but a ceremony filled with love and patience. Whether you are a beginner or already have experience in the kitchen, this recipe will guide you step by step, providing you with all the necessary tricks to achieve a perfect cake.

Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Number of servings: 10-12

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 2 kg of quality flour (preferably from a local mill)
- 12-14 eggs (depending on their size, separated into whites and yolks)
- 500 g of sugar
- Zest of 1-2 lemons
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 800-1000 ml of lukewarm milk
- 90-100 g of fresh yeast
- 200 g of melted butter
- 2 vials of vanilla essence
- A pinch of cinnamon (optional)

For the filling:
- Approximately 1 kg of ground walnuts
- 8-10 tablespoons of sugar for the filling
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa for the filling
- Rum or rum essence (to taste)
- Raisins (optional, for added flavor)

For greasing:
- Butter for greasing the trays
- 1 beaten egg, for brushing the cakes

Preparing the Dough

1. Prepare your workspace: Isolate the kitchen from distractions. Arrange all ingredients within reach. It is important to feel comfortable and relaxed during preparation, as the cake requires time and patience.

2. The yeast: In a small bowl, add the yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Mix well until it becomes a liquid paste. This step is crucial for activating the yeast, so do not skip it.

3. The egg mixture: In a large bowl, beat the yolks with the sugar, salt, lemon zest, and vanilla essence. Add 500 ml of lukewarm milk and mix well.

4. The starter: In another bowl, take 2 tablespoons of flour and scald them with a cup of hot milk. Mix vigorously until it becomes a smooth paste. Let it cool slightly, then add this starter to the activated yeast.

5. Combining the ingredients: In a large bowl, sift the flour and make a well in the center to add the milk, egg, and starter mixture. Mix everything with a spatula or your hands until well combined. You may need to add more milk, so pay attention to the dough's consistency. Ideally, it should be elastic and slightly sticky.

6. Kneading: Knead the dough for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. At the end, gradually add the melted butter and continue kneading. This step will give the dough a fluffy texture.

7. Rising: Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in volume.

Preparing the Filling

1. The walnuts: If you do not have ground walnuts, ask someone in the family to help with this step. Grinding walnuts can be done with a mixer or food processor. Make sure the walnuts are fresh, as flavors fade quickly.

2. The filling mixture: In a bowl, combine the ground walnuts, sugar, cocoa, and rum. Mix well to homogenize the ingredients.

3. Whipping the egg whites: Whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then add a few tablespoons of sugar and continue whipping until you achieve a glossy foam. This will make the filling lighter and airier.

Assembling the Cake

1. Dividing the dough: After the dough has risen, divide it into portions. Typically, for a small tray, you can use 400 g of dough, and the rest can be divided based on the size of the large trays.

2. Shaping the cake: On a greased surface, roll out each piece of dough into a rectangle. Spread the walnut filling, then roll tightly. Ensure the filling is evenly distributed.

3. Placing in trays: Place the rolled cakes in greased trays. If you want a more distinctive-looking cake, you can braid two rolls together. Let them rise for another 20 minutes.

Baking

1. Preheating the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (or 160°C if you have a convection oven). It is essential to have it well heated before placing the cakes inside.

2. Baking: Bake the cakes for 45 minutes. Check them with a toothpick or a bicycle skewer; if it comes out clean, they are done. You can adjust the oven temperature, lowering it slightly after the first 30 minutes to avoid burning.

3. Cooling: After baking, let them cool in the trays for 5 minutes, then carefully remove them from the trays. Place the cakes on a rack or a clean plate and cover them with a clean towel to keep them fluffy.

4. Serving: It is recommended to wait until the cakes are completely cool before slicing them. The next day, the taste is even better. Serve with a cup of tea or coffee, and don’t forget to share them with loved ones!

Practical Tips

- Calories and Nutritional Benefits: The cake is a calorie-rich dessert, having approximately 300-400 calories per serving, depending on the ingredients. Walnuts provide healthy fats, protein, and vitamins, while eggs are an excellent source of protein.

- Vegan Option: You can adapt the recipe using plant-based milk, vegan butter, and replacing the eggs with a mixture of flaxseeds and water.

- Unique Flavor: Experiment with various spices, such as cardamom or anise, to add a personalized touch to your cake.

- Freezing: If you have leftover cakes, you can freeze them in a plastic bag. Before consuming, let them thaw at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do we use fresh yeast and not dry?: Fresh yeast provides better fermentation, and the dough texture will be fluffier.

2. How can I tell if the dough is well risen?: The dough should double in volume and be elastic to the touch. You can do a finger test; if it leaves an indentation, it is ready.

3. Can I use other types of filling?: Absolutely! You can add chocolate, Turkish delight, or candied fruits for a different variation.

Conclusion

The royal cake is a symbol of hospitality and culinary tradition. With a little patience and love, you will create a dessert that not only delights the taste buds but also brings joy to your loved ones. So, prepare your ingredients, turn off your phone, and let yourself be carried away by the magic of cooking!

 Ingredients: Dough: 2 kg of good flour (from Lancram mill) 12-14 eggs (depending on their size), separated egg whites 500 g of sugar grated peel of one or two lemons 2 teaspoons of salt 800-1000 ml of milk 90-100 g of fresh yeast 200 g of butter Vanilla essence (2 vials) A little cinnamon Filling: About 1 kg of walnuts 8-10 tablespoons of sugar for walnuts 2 tablespoons of cocoa for walnuts Rum or rum essence for walnuts Raisins, sugar, and cocoa for Rosenkranz Or classic (130 g of butter and 6 tablespoons of sugar) Grease for greasing the trays 1 beaten egg for brushing

 Tags:  sweet bread