Traditional fluffy sweet bread

Traditional Fluffy Sweet Bread

The sweet bread is more than just a dessert - it is a true tradition, often associated with holidays and special moments spent with loved ones. The recipe below is a family heirloom, passed down from my mother-in-law, who makes the best sweet bread in the world. This fluffy sweet bread, filled with delicious cocoa and Turkish delight, will bring a touch of magic to your table.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Rising time: 2 hours
Baking time: 45-60 minutes
Total: Almost 3 hours
Number of servings: 3 sweet breads

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 1 kg flour for sweet bread
- 500 ml milk (preferably whole)
- 50 g fresh yeast
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 10 egg yolks
- 3 packets of vanilla sugar
- Rum essence (to taste)
- 100 g butter (melted and cooled to room temperature)
- Oil for kneading

For the filling:
- 200 g ground walnuts
- 5 tablespoons of sugar
- 3 tablespoons of cocoa
- 120 ml milk
- 6 pieces of Turkish delight (cut into small cubes)

For brushing:
- 2 eggs (beaten with a little sugar)
- 5 tablespoons of sugar dissolved in 100 ml of water (for brushing after baking)

Preparation:

1. Preparing the ingredients: Before starting, make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. It is important that the milk and butter are not too cold to activate the yeast.

2. Preparing the yeast: In a small bowl, add the yeast, one tablespoon of sugar, and 2-3 tablespoons of flour. Pour in a little warm milk and mix well until you obtain a smooth paste. Cover the bowl with a towel and let it sit in a warm place for about 15 minutes, until the yeast becomes frothy.

3. Preparing the dough: In a large bowl, place the flour, salt (one teaspoon), lemon zest, and vanilla sugar. After the yeast has risen, pour it into the center of the flour. Add the egg yolks and warm milk, mixing with a spatula.

4. Kneading the dough: Start kneading the dough. It will be a bit sticky at first, but don't panic! Gradually add the melted butter and continue kneading. After a few minutes, add the rum essence and keep kneading. When the dough becomes elastic and pulls away easily from the bowl, it is ready. This process can take between 15-20 minutes.

5. First rising: Shape the dough into a ball, brush it with a little oil, and cover it with a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until it doubles in size.

6. Preparing the filling: In a bowl, mix the ground walnuts, sugar, cocoa, and milk until you obtain a smooth mixture. This filling will give your sweet bread a rich and delicious taste.

7. Shaping the sweet breads: After the dough has risen, divide it into 3 equal parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into a rectangle. Spread the cocoa filling evenly over each rectangle. Sprinkle the pieces of Turkish delight on top.

8. Rolling the sweet breads: Roll each rectangle into a log. Place the logs in the sweet bread pans, making sure to place the seam side down. Cover them again and let them rise for 30 minutes.

9. Preparing for baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Beat the two eggs for brushing with a little sugar and generously brush the sweet breads before placing them in the oven.

10. Baking: Bake the sweet breads for 45-60 minutes, or until they turn golden. Check if they are done with the toothpick test: if it comes out clean, the sweet breads are perfectly baked.

11. Finishing: After removing them from the oven, immediately brush them with the water and sugar mixture to give them a nice shine. Let them cool in the pans for 15-20 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serving and suggestions:

Your fluffy sweet bread is delicious served warm, but it can also be enjoyed the next day, retaining its fluffy texture. You can pair it with a glass of sweet wine or warm milk for a comforting breakfast. It is also wonderful enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee.

Useful tips:
- If you want to add a touch of originality, you can experiment with different fillings, such as chocolate, raisins, or caramelized nuts.
- The sweet bread keeps well at room temperature, covered with a clean towel or in an airtight container, to maintain its freshness.
- Don't forget, the secret to a perfect sweet bread lies in love and patience!

The sweet bread is undoubtedly a symbol of culinary tradition, and each bite brings pleasant memories of festive meals with loved ones. So, don't hesitate to try this recipe and share it with your family. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: 1 kg flour for panettone, 1/2 milk (full-fat), 50 g yeast, zest of 2 lemons, rum essence, 10 egg yolks, 3 packets of vanilla sugar, 6 pieces of Turkish delight. For the cocoa cream: 200 g ground nuts, 5 tablespoons of sugar, 3 tablespoons of cocoa, 120 ml milk. Two eggs for brushing before putting in the oven. 5 tablespoons of sugar in 100 ml of water for brushing after removing from the oven.

 Tags:  traditional sweet bread fluffy sweet bread easter sweets easter recipes