Sweet bread

Sweet Bread with Walnut and Turkish Delight Filling

Who doesn’t remember the inviting aroma of freshly baked sweet bread that fills the house during the holidays? Sweet bread is a traditional recipe, beloved by many, that brings families together during the most beautiful moments. In this recipe, I will guide you step by step to create a fluffy and delicious sweet bread with walnut and Turkish delight filling. It’s perfect for the Easter table but can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Let’s get started!

Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Servings: 2 large sweet breads

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 1 kg all-purpose flour
- 300 g sugar
- 200 ml oil
- 50 g butter
- 50 g sour cream
- 500 ml milk
- 5 eggs (preferably taken out of the fridge 24 hours before)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 20 g vanilla sugar or vanilla extract
- 50 g fresh yeast
- 10 ml rum essence
- Zest from 20-30 g lemon and orange

For the filling:
- 300 g ground walnuts
- 200 g Turkish delight (cut into thin pieces)
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- Remaining egg whites from the 5 eggs

Preparing the starter

1. Sifting the flour: Start by sifting the flour into a large mixing bowl. This step will help aerate the flour and contribute to the fine texture of the dough.

2. Preparing the starter: In a small saucepan, scald 2 tablespoons of flour with 50 ml of hot milk. Mix well until you obtain a soft paste. Cover the bowl and let it cool slightly.

3. Activating the yeast: Once the starter has cooled, add the fresh yeast, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and a teaspoon of salt. Mix well, cover the bowl, and let it rise in a warm place (about 15-20 minutes) until it doubles in volume.

Preparing the dough

4. Separating the eggs: While the starter is rising, separate the egg whites from the yolks and place them in two separate bowls.

5. Beating the yolks: Beat the yolks well with the remaining sugar until creamy. Add the mixture to the bowl with flour.

6. Adding the starter: Incorporate the risen starter into the flour and yolk mixture.

7. Adding the liquid ingredients: Gradually pour in the remaining warm milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

8. Kneading the dough: Knead the dough for about 15 minutes, adding one-third of the beaten egg whites. The dough should become elastic and no longer stick to the bowl.

9. Adding the fats: In a small saucepan, melt the butter and warm the sour cream. Gradually add them to the dough, followed by the oil, kneading well after each addition. All ingredients should be warm to facilitate blending.

10. Allowing the dough to rise: Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in volume.

Preparing the filling

11. Mixing the ingredients: In a bowl, mix the ground walnuts, remaining egg whites, 100 g of sugar, 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, and rum essence. Make sure everything is well combined.

Assembling the sweet breads

12. Dividing the dough: When the dough has risen, divide it into 4 equal parts. Roll each piece of dough into a rectangular sheet.

13. Adding the filling: On each sheet, evenly spread the walnut filling, then add a few pieces of Turkish delight. Distribute the Turkish delight and walnuts evenly among the four sheets.

14. Rolling and braiding: Roll each sheet tightly and then braid two rolls together, shaping them into a sweet bread form.

15. Preparing the baking trays: Grease the trays with oil or butter and line them with parchment paper to prevent burning.

16. Allowing to rise: Place the sweet breads in the trays and let them rise for 30 minutes.

Baking the sweet breads

17. Preheating the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

18. Glazing: Brush the sweet breads with beaten egg and sprinkle sugar on top for a golden, crispy crust.

19. Baking: Place the sweet breads in the oven for about 50 minutes. After 30 minutes, rotate the trays for even baking. Be mindful of the oven temperature: start with high heat, then adjust to medium.

Chef's tip

For a perfectly fluffy sweet bread, it’s essential that all ingredients are at room temperature. Another suggestion is to use homemade milk or fresh sour cream, as they add a unique flavor to the dough.

Serving suggestions

Sweet bread is delicious served warm, but can also be enjoyed cold, alongside a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. It pairs wonderfully with a fragrant tea on colder days. You can also try serving it with a bit of fruit jam or even vanilla ice cream for a special dessert.

Calories and nutritional benefits

Sweet bread is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats from the walnuts. Each serving of sweet bread (about 100 g) contains approximately 350-400 calories. Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, contributing to heart and brain health.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use whole wheat flour? Yes, but the dough may be a bit denser. Try mixing whole wheat flour with white flour for balance.

2. How can I keep the sweet bread fresh? Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. You can freeze it for long-term storage.

3. Can I add other ingredients to the filling? Absolutely! You can experiment with raisins, chocolate, or other types of nuts.

4. What else can I make with leftover dough? If you have leftover dough, you can make small pastries or rolls, which bake just as well.

Conclusion

Making sweet bread is both an art and a joy! With each step, you move towards a wonderful result that will bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Don’t forget to enjoy the process and leave your personal touch in every sweet bread you make. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: 1 kg flour three zeros, 300 g sugar, 200 ml oil, 50 g butter, 50 g sour cream, 500 ml milk, 5 eggs, 1 teaspoon salt, 20 g vanilla sugar or vanilla essence, 50 g yeast, 10 ml rum essence, 20-30 g grated lemon and orange peel. Filling: 300 g ground walnuts, 200 g Turkish delight, 1 tablespoon cocoa, remaining egg whites.

 Tags:  easter bread and sweet bread flour milk eggs oil unt sour cream yeast vanilla nut delight easter recipes