Walnut and sour cherry jam pastries

Nut and sour cherry jam sweet bread - a traditional recipe that perfectly balances sweetness and bitterness! These sweet breads are an excellent choice for holidays or to bring a touch of joy to ordinary days. With a rich history in culinary indulgence traditions, sweet breads are often prepared for the most beautiful moments in our lives, bringing family and friends together. In this guide, I will teach you step by step how to prepare these delicious sweet breads, providing you with useful tips and tricks for perfect results!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Rising time: 4 hours
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total: 5 hours and 10 minutes
Number of servings: 10 servings

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 600 g flour 00 (ideal for sweet bread, ensures a fluffy texture)
- 20 g fresh yeast (ensures proper rising)
- 2 eggs (at room temperature, for better incorporation)
- 300 ml milk (slightly warmed, not hot)
- Zest of 1 orange (a citrus note that enriches the flavor)
- 1 packet of vanilla (or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- About 150 g sugar (adjustable to taste)
- Half a teaspoon of salt (to enhance the flavors)

For the filling:
- 300 g sour cherry jam (preferably homemade for an authentic taste)
- 200 g ground walnuts (you can also use toasted walnuts for a more intense flavor)
- A small cube of butter (to grease the sheets and add extra flavor)

Instructions

Step 1: Activating the yeast
Start by activating the yeast. In a glass, add the 20 g of fresh yeast, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 150 ml of warm milk (not hot!). Stir gently and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes until a foam forms on the surface. This step is essential to ensure that the yeast is active. If you don't see the foam, it's better to start again with fresh yeast.

Step 2: Preparing the dough
In a large bowl, sift the flour and make a well in the center. Pour the activated yeast into this well. Add the eggs, orange zest, vanilla, sugar, and salt. Start mixing with a wooden spoon, gradually incorporating the flour. Warm the remaining milk (150 ml) and gradually pour it into the mixture, kneading by hand. When the dough becomes homogeneous, transfer it to a working surface and knead for about 10 minutes. An important trick is to slap the dough on the surface from time to time to make it more elastic.

Step 3: Rising the dough
Form a round ball from the dough and place it in the bowl. Lightly score the dough in the middle and sprinkle a little flour on top. Cover it with a towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 3 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 4: Preparing the filling
When the dough has risen, prepare the filling. In a bowl, combine the sour cherry jam with the ground walnuts. If desired, you can add a little sugar to adjust the sweetness, but the jam should be sweet enough.

Step 5: Shaping the sweet breads
Grease a baking tray with butter and dust it with flour. Remove the dough onto the working surface and knead it gently to release the air. Roll it out into a rectangular sheet about 1 cm thick. Evenly spread the sour cherry jam over the sheet and sprinkle the ground walnuts on top. If desired, you can cut the sheet into four and roll each piece to form thinner sweet breads.

Step 6: Second rising
Place the sweet breads in the prepared tray, brush them with melted butter, and sprinkle a little ground walnut on top. Let them rise for another hour in a warm place, covered with a towel.

Step 7: Baking
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Bake the sweet breads for 40 minutes or until they turn golden and rise beautifully. You can check if they are ready by gently tapping the bottom - if it sounds hollow, they are perfect!

Chef's tip
For an extra flavor, you can add a few drops of rum essence to the dough. You can also experiment with other fillings, such as chocolate or candied fruits, to vary the recipe. If you want to keep the sweet breads fresh longer, you can wrap them in aluminum foil after they have completely cooled.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use dry yeast instead of fresh yeast?
Yes, you can use dry yeast. Replace 20 g of fresh yeast with about 7 g of dry yeast.

2. How can I tell if my dough has risen enough?
The dough should double in size. You can also do the water test: if you leave a small piece of dough in water and it floats, it's ready.

3. What can I do if the jam is too runny?
You can add a little starch or breadcrumbs to the jam to thicken it.

Delicious combinations
These nut and sour cherry jam sweet breads pair perfectly with a warm tea or aromatic coffee. They can also be served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a warm chocolate sauce for a decadent dessert.

Conclusion
Nut and sour cherry jam sweet breads are not just a delicious recipe, but also a way to bring tradition into your kitchen. This cooking process will provide you not only with a savory result but also with pleasant moments of relaxation and satisfaction. Share them with your loved ones and enjoy every bite!

 Ingredients: dough for sweet bread: 600 g flour 00 20 g fresh yeast 2 eggs 300 ml milk grated orange peel vanilla about 150 g sugar a pinch of salt filling: 300 g sour cherry jam 200 g ground and sweetened walnuts a cube of butter

 Tags:  sweet bread