Cocoa and Turkish delight cake or walnut cream cake

Cocoa and Turkish delight or walnut cream sweet bread – a special recipe, full of flavor, that brings back memories of festive meals and moments spent with loved ones. This sweet bread, a symbol of holidays, is a dish that has been passed down from generation to generation, and each family has its special recipe. In this version, I will show you how to prepare the perfect sweet bread, with delicious fillings, ready to delight everyone's taste buds.

Preparation time: 1 hour
Rising time: 1-3 hours (depending on room temperature)
Baking time: 45-60 minutes
Number of servings: 12-16 servings

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 2.5 kg flour (ideal for sweet bread)
- 1 l milk
- 6 eggs (at room temperature)
- 4 cubes of fresh yeast
- 700 g sugar
- 6 packets of vanilla sugar
- 200 g butter (melted)
- 200-300 g oil (neutral, like sunflower)
- Grated orange and lemon zest (freshly grated)
- Rum essence (half the amount)

For the filling (cocoa and Turkish delight variant):
- 200 g walnuts (chopped)
- 4 tablespoons cocoa (or more, to taste)
- 4 tablespoons sugar (adjustable according to preferences)
- 200 g Turkish delight (cut into cubes)
- 200 g raisins (soaked in rum essence)

For the filling (walnut cream variant):
- 200 g walnuts (finely chopped)
- 3-4 tablespoons milk (to achieve a creamy paste)
- 4 tablespoons sugar (adjustable, to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the dough
1. Sifting the flour: In a large bowl, sift the flour to aerate it. This step will contribute to a fluffier texture of the sweet bread.
2. Activating the yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in a little warm milk (not hot!) with 1-2 tablespoons of sugar. Let it rise for 10-15 minutes until it becomes frothy.
3. Preparing the milk: In a pot, heat the milk until it becomes warm, then add the sugar and stir until it completely dissolves. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
4. Combining the ingredients: In the bowl with flour, add the activated yeast, beaten eggs, warm milk, and the other ingredients: orange zest, lemon zest, vanilla sugar, and rum essence. Mix well with a spatula.
5. Kneading the dough: Start kneading the dough. Gradually add the melted butter and oil, little by little, kneading until the dough becomes elastic and pulls away from your hands and the bowl. This process should take about 10-15 minutes.

Step 2: Rising the dough
1. Letting the dough rise: Cover the bowl with a clean towel and place it in a warm spot for 1-3 hours, until the dough triples in volume. A good idea is to leave it near a radiator or in a warm room.

Step 3: Preparing the filling
1. Cocoa and Turkish delight filling: Pass the walnuts through a grinder and mix them with cocoa, sugar, and 3 tablespoons of milk to obtain a creamy mixture. If necessary, add more milk or cocoa.
2. Walnut cream filling: Mix the chopped walnuts with sugar and gradually add milk until you obtain a creamy paste.

Step 4: Shaping the sweet breads
1. Dividing the dough: When the dough has risen, take a small piece of it and mix it with cocoa, kneading well. Divide the remaining dough into two equal parts.
2. Forming the sheets: Roll out a white sheet of dough, then roll out a cocoa sheet. Place the cocoa sheet over the white one.
3. Adding the filling: On the cocoa sheet, add the pieces of Turkish delight and raisins (or walnut cream if you choose this variant).
4. Rolling and braiding: Carefully roll the dough to form a log, then braid the two logs. Place them in a baking tray lined with parchment paper, making sure the dough does not fill more than half of the tray.

Step 5: Second rising
1. Letting it rise again: Allow the sweet breads to rise again, covered, for about 30-45 minutes.

Step 6: Baking
1. Preparing for the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Brush the sweet breads with beaten egg for a golden and shiny crust.
2. Baking: Place the tray in the oven and bake the sweet breads for 45-60 minutes. Check if they are well baked using the toothpick method: if it comes out clean, the sweet breads are ready.

Serving and variations
The sweet bread can be served warm or at room temperature, alongside a glass of warm milk, a fragrant coffee, or a fruit tea. A delicious idea is to sprinkle it with powdered sugar for a festive look.

Useful tips
- Ensure that all ingredients are at room temperature to facilitate rising.
- The yeast must be fresh and active; if unsure, test it before use.
- If you want a fluffier sweet bread, knead it longer.
- You can experiment with different fillings, such as chocolate, dried fruits, or even jam.

Nutritional information
The sweet bread is a rich source of carbohydrates and, depending on the filling, can also provide protein from nuts or eggs. It is best to consume it in moderation, considering the sugar and fat content. A slice (approximately 100 g) can contain between 300-400 calories, depending on the ingredients used.

Frequently asked questions
- Can I use whole wheat flour? Yes, but the texture will be different and the sweet bread will not be as fluffy.
- How can I store the sweet bread? You can keep it in a plastic bag or an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. It can also be frozen for later consumption.
- Can sweet bread be made without yeast? There are sweet bread variants that use baking powder, but the texture will be different.

I hope this recipe for cocoa and Turkish delight or walnut cream sweet bread will become a favorite in your kitchen! With a little patience and love, you will achieve a traditional dessert that will bring joy and smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: - 2.5 kg flour - 1 l milk - 6 eggs - 4 cubes of yeast - 700 g sugar - cocoa - 6 packets of vanilla sugar - rum essence - 200 g walnuts - 200 g Turkish delight - 200 g butter - 200-300 g oil - 200 g nuts

 Tags:  flour cocoa nut sweet sweet bread christmas sweets christmas recipes pasta recipes