Sweet Hearts

To prepare a quick rising dough that will delight your taste buds, start by combining the basic ingredients: flour, yeast, warm water, sugar, and salt. Knead the dough energetically until it becomes elastic and homogeneous. It is essential to let it rest, as this step will allow the yeast to do its job, resulting in a fluffy and delicious dough. Once you have finished kneading, cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rest for about 30 minutes. This will be the first stage of the process.

Once the dough has risen, divide it into 16 small pieces, which you will carefully shape into balls. This step is important to ensure the uniformity of the rolls you will later flatten. Place the dough balls on a tray, covering them again with a napkin, and let them rest for 10 minutes. This resting period will make the dough easier to handle.

After they have had time to relax, take each dough ball and roll it out with a rolling pin until you obtain a round sheet about 5 mm thick. Use a gentle motion to keep the air in the dough. Brush each dough circle with a little soft butter, which will add a creamy and savory note. In the vegan version, you can use apricot jam or oil, which will provide an interesting flavor.

Sprinkle with about ½ teaspoon of sugar, which will caramelize slightly during baking, and add raisins or poppy seeds, depending on your preferences. These ingredients will add a special texture and a sweet-sour taste. Roll the dough into a log, being careful not to tighten it too much. Fold the roll in half, bringing the edges to the center, then cut lengthwise the folded part with a knife, leaving about 1 cm uncut at the other end.

To form the “heart,” unfold the edges of the roll on either side of the cut, creating an attractive shape. Place these delights on a tray lined with parchment paper. Brush them with beaten eggs, and for the vegan version, you can leave them unbrushed or use a tea infusion to give them a touch of color. Sprinkle brown sugar on top for a crunchy and sweet finish.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and place the tray with the dough hearts inside. Bake for about 30 minutes or until they become golden and delicious. Once baked, remove them to a rack to cool slightly. These treats are perfect to be enjoyed alongside a cup of tea or coffee, making them an ideal choice for breakfast or a snack.

 Ingredients: 500 g quick rising dough* 100 g raisins / poppy seeds, as preferred 50 g butter** 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg, for brushing** brown sugar for sprinkling

 Tags:  eggs unt sugar vegetarian recipes recipes for kids mac