No-knead sweet bread
The dough is the basic element of any sweet bread, and the recipe we present today promises a delight with enticing aromas and a perfect texture. We start by preparing the dough. In a large bowl, we put the flour, ensuring it is of the best quality, to achieve an exceptional final result. We make a well in the center of the flour, where we add the fresh yeast. It is important to use active yeast, which will help the dough rise and become fluffy. We pour 3-4 tablespoons of warm milk over the yeast and let the mixture rise for 15 minutes in a warm, draft-free place. This step is essential, as the yeast will start to do its job, beginning the fermentation process.
Once the yeast has started to form bubbles, we add the whole eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and grated lemon zest, which will provide a fresh and aromatic taste. We mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon, then add the salt, melted butter, and the remaining warm milk. With our hands, we knead the dough until all the ingredients are perfectly incorporated and we achieve a homogeneous consistency. We cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise until it doubles in volume, which can take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the room temperature.
In the meantime, we prepare the filling. We grind the nuts and mix them with hot milk, cocoa, sugar, and rum essence, which will add a rich and special flavor. We beat the egg whites until they are firm and gently incorporate them into the nut mixture, using a spatula to keep the air in the egg whites.
After the dough has risen, we divide it into four portions. We take two of them and roll them out into rectangular sheets, thin enough. On each rolled-out sheet, we evenly spread the filling, then carefully roll each piece of dough. We braid the two rolls obtained, creating a beautiful sweet bread, which we place in a tray lined with baking paper. We proceed the same way with the other part of the dough.
We let the sweet breads rise for about 20 minutes. In the meantime, we can prepare a beaten egg that we will use to brush them. With the help of a brush, we cover the surface of the sweet breads with the beaten egg, to achieve a golden and appetizing crust. We place the trays in a preheated oven at a moderate temperature and patiently wait for 40-45 minutes until the sweet breads turn golden brown.
When they are ready, we take them out of the oven and brush them with a simple syrup made from water, honey, and a bit of oil, which will add extra moisture and a sweet taste. We cover the hot sweet breads with a thick towel and let them cool. With a dusting of powdered sugar on top, the sweet breads become not just a dessert, but a true feast for the senses. It is impossible to resist the temptation to tear off a piece while they are still warm, without having the patience to let them cool completely. Delicious!
Ingredients: For the dough: 1 kg flour 3 eggs 2 egg yolks 250 g sugar 14 g dry yeast 110 g butter 330 ml milk 330 ml milk a pinch of salt grated zest of a lemon Filling: 350 g ground walnut 4-5 tablespoons cocoa 4-5 tablespoons 150 g sugar 2 egg whites 5-6 tablespoons hot milk 2 teaspoons rum essence 1 egg for the icing sugar for dusting
