Fluffy Sweet Bread

To prepare a delicious cozonac, it is important to bring all the ingredients into the kitchen a day in advance so that they are at the same temperature. This step helps activate the yeast and achieve a fluffy dough. Start by sifting the flour into a large bowl, making sure there are no lumps. In another container, dissolve the yeast in a little sweetened milk, mixing well to completely dissolve it. Once the yeast has dissolved, place it in the center of the sifted flour and mix with a little flour from around it, forming a starter. Let it rise for 15 minutes; if it does not double in volume, it is better to discard the starter and use another yeast.

In another bowl, mix the egg yolks with the sugar, vanilla sugar, lemon zest, and salt, until you no longer feel the sugar crystals. This aromatic mixture will give the cozonac a perfect taste. After the starter has risen, pour the egg yolk mixture over it and mix well. Gradually add milk until you obtain a dough that can be easily kneaded. Knead the dough for at least 30 minutes, alternating adding oil and then butter until they are completely incorporated. The final dough should be elastic, homogeneous, and should no longer stick to your hands or the sides of the bowl.

Divide the dough into three parts, keeping one third to add cocoa. Knead this portion with cocoa until the color is uniform. Let all portions of dough rise in a bowl covered with a thick towel, in a warm place, for 2-3 hours. After the dough has risen, divide it into four equal parts, which will be used to form two cozonaci. From one quarter, roll out a disc and place it in the baking tray. From the next quarter, roll out a thin sheet and cut it with a glass into small discs from which you can create flowers, which you will place around the edge of the large disc. It is recommended to alternate the white flowers with the brown ones from the cocoa dough. Use a knife to lightly score the leaves into rhombuses.

Let it rise again, in a warm place, for about an hour. In the meantime, beat the egg whites until stiff with the sugar and vanilla sugar, then mix in the ground nuts. Place this rich cream in the center of the cozonac. To achieve a golden crust, brush the cozonac with beaten egg before putting it in the oven. Bake it in the preheated oven at low heat for about 40 minutes. Thus, in the end, you will obtain a fluffy, aromatic cozonac with an attractive appearance, perfect to be enjoyed with loved ones.

 Ingredients: 1 kg flour (000), 25 g fresh brewer's yeast, 2 cups milk, 100 g butter (80%), 100 ml oil, 7 egg yolks, 12 tablespoons sugar, grated zest of one lemon, 1 packet vanilla sugar, rum essence, a pinch of salt, 50 g cocoa. For the filling: 7 egg whites, 4 tablespoons sugar, 12 tablespoons ground walnuts, 1 packet vanilla sugar.

 Tags:  milk unt flour oil sugar lemon cocoa nut christmas and new year's recipes vegetarian recipes recipes for children sweet bread pasta recipes