Cake with candied oranges
Cozonac with candied oranges in the bread machine
Cozonac is a symbol of holiday traditions, a dessert that reminds us of the moments spent with loved ones. In the past, making this delicacy was a true art, an activity that required time and patience. But today, technology comes to our aid, and the bread machine turns this process into a simple and enjoyable task. In this recipe, I will guide you step by step to achieve a fluffy, aromatic, and flavorful cozonac without too much effort. Here’s how you can prepare it!
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 40-50 minutes
Total time: 2 hours
Number of servings: 8-10
Necessary ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 75 g melted butter
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 180 ml warm milk
- 45-50 ml oil
- 450 g wheat flour
- 150 g sugar
- 7 g dry yeast
- 100 g candied orange peel
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preparing the ingredients: Make sure all the ingredients are at room temperature. The butter should be melted but not hot. The warm milk will help the yeast activate better.
2. Adding ingredients to the bread machine: Start by adding the ingredients to the bread machine’s pan in the following order:
- Eggs
- Melted butter
- Grated lemon and orange zest
- Warm milk
- Oil
- Flour
- Sugar
- Dry yeast
It is important to follow this order to allow the yeast to activate properly.
3. Setting the kneading program: Start the bread machine on the kneading program (whisk). I recommend running this program twice to ensure that the dough is well mixed and homogenized.
4. Rising and adding the candied orange peel: After the kneading program is finished, start the dough program. During this process, the machine will knead and let the dough rise. At some point, you will hear a beep - this is the perfect time to add the candied orange peel. This will give the cozonac a sweet-sour aroma and an interesting texture.
5. Dough rising: Let the dough rise in the bread machine according to the instructions. It should double in volume.
6. Baking the cozonac: After the dough has risen, switch the program to baking. The baking time may vary, so check the cozonac around the 40-minute mark. A simple way to check if it’s done is to insert a toothpick in the middle of the cozonac; if it comes out clean, it’s baked.
7. Cooling and serving: Once the cozonac is ready, remove it from the bread machine and let it cool on a rack. It is very important to let it cool completely before slicing, to maintain a fluffy texture.
8. Enjoy!: The cozonac can be served plain, alongside a cup of warm milk or tea. Its citrus aroma will delight anyone! It is also ideal to be given as a gift, just as I did.
Useful tips:
- Ingredient variations: You can experiment with various flavors by adding nuts, raisins, or even chocolate instead of candied orange peel.
- Calories and nutritional benefits: A serving of cozonac (about 100 g) contains approximately 300-350 calories. It is a good source of carbohydrates and healthy fats (thanks to the butter and oil). The orange peel adds vitamins and antioxidants.
- Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use whole wheat flour?: Yes, but the dough will need more time to rise and will have a denser texture.
- How do I keep the cozonac fresh?: Store it in an airtight container at room temperature to prevent drying out.
- Can it be frozen?: Yes, the cozonac can be frozen, but make sure it is well wrapped to prevent excessive freezing.
Cozonac with candied oranges is a versatile and flavorful dessert that will bring smiles to the faces of loved ones. Experiment with different ingredients, adapt the recipe to your tastes, and turn each preparation into a special occasion. In a busy world, let’s enjoy the little pleasures, like a fluffy cozonac made with love!
Ingredients: 2 eggs 75 g melted butter grated lemon peel (1 teaspoon) grated orange peel (1 teaspoon) 180 ml warm milk 45-50 ml oil 450 g flour 150 g sugar 7 g dry yeast 100 g candied orange peel
