Sweet bread

Cozonac with walnut and cocoa filling – a traditional recipe, perfect for holidays or special occasions. This rich and fragrant dessert will bring joy and warmth to every home, and once it is taken out of the oven, its aroma will fill the entire room. Let's prepare this delight together that will surely become a family favorite!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Rising time: 1 hour
Baking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Number of servings: 10-12 slices

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 500 g type 000 flour
- 200 ml warm milk
- 100 g sugar
- 100 g melted butter
- 4 egg yolks
- 25 g fresh yeast
- Grated zest of one lemon
- Grated zest of one orange
- A pinch of salt
- 1 essence of rum
- 1 essence of vanilla

For the filling:
- 300 g ground walnuts
- 150 g sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa
- 1 egg white
- 1 essence of rum

Preparation:

1. Activating the yeast: In a small bowl, mix the fresh yeast with 1 teaspoon of sugar and 50 ml of the warm milk. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes until it becomes frothy. This step is essential to activate the yeast, so make sure the milk is not too hot.

2. Preparing the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and lemon and orange zest. Make a well in the center and add the egg yolks, melted butter, rum and vanilla essences, and the yeast mixture. Start kneading the dough, gradually adding the remaining warm milk until you get an elastic and smooth dough.

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

4. Preparing the filling: Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the ground walnuts, sugar, and cocoa. Add the egg white and rum essence, mixing well to obtain a smooth paste.

5. Shaping the cozonac: After the dough has risen, roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 1 cm thick. Evenly distribute the walnut filling over the dough, leaving free edges. Carefully roll the dough, forming a tight log that will become our cozonac.

6. Placing in the pan: Place the log of dough in a baking tray lined with parchment paper, bending it slightly to achieve a nice shape. Cover it again with a towel and let it rise for 30 minutes.

7. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Bake the cozonac for 40-45 minutes, or until it turns golden and sounds hollow when tapped. If the surface browns too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil.

8. Cooling and serving: After removing the cozonac from the oven, let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer it to a rack to cool completely.

Serving suggestion: Cut the cozonac into generous slices and serve it with a cup of hot coffee or tea. You can sprinkle it with powdered sugar for a festive look.

Possible variations: You can experiment with different fillings, such as chocolate, raisins, or fruit jam. You can also add cinnamon to the filling for an extra flavor.

This cozonac is not only a delicious dessert but also a memory of family traditions. With a little patience and love, you will achieve a fluffy cozonac with a rich filling, perfect for enjoying with loved ones. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 700 g flour, 100 g butter, 200 ml milk, 150 g sugar, 3 egg yolks, 1 packet of yeast (63 g), grated lemon and orange peel, essence of rum and vanilla, 3 tablespoons of oil, a pinch of salt. For the filling: 300 g ground walnuts, 100 g cocoa, 150 g sugar, 300 ml hot milk, essence of rum.