Steamed dough cake

Steamed Dough Sweet Bread: A Holiday Delight

The sweet bread is a classic recipe that evokes beautiful moments spent with family, during holidays and traditions that connect us to our roots. This steamed dough sweet bread recipe is not only simple but also delicious, promising a fluffy texture and a savory filling. I will show you step by step how to achieve a perfect sweet bread that will impress anyone who tastes it!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Rising time: 2 hours
Baking time: 40-45 minutes
Total: Approximately 3 hours
Servings: 2 sweet breads

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 1 kg wheat flour (choose a high-quality flour with a high gluten content to achieve a fluffy dough)
- 8 egg yolks (fresh, preferably from free-range chickens)
- 1 yolk for brushing
- 300 g sugar (you can adjust the amount according to your preferences)
- 500 ml milk (use whole milk for a richer flavor)
- 200 g butter (melted and allowed to cool slightly)
- 50 g fresh yeast (or 20 g dry yeast)
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 sachets of vanilla sugar (or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- Grated zest of one lemon and one orange (for a fragrant taste)

For the filling:
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 50 g butter
- 200 g sugar (you can use brown sugar for a caramelized taste)
- 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa (choose quality cocoa for an intense flavor)
- 250 g ground walnuts (or a mix of nuts and almonds)
- Pieces of Turkish delight (optional, but adds an interesting note)
- Raisins (optional, for added sweetness)

Preparation

Step 1: Activating the yeast

Start by preparing the yeast. In a small bowl, mix the fresh yeast with a tablespoon of sugar and 3-4 tablespoons of warm milk. Let the mixture sit for 20 minutes until it becomes frothy. This step is essential, as the activated yeast will help the dough rise well.

Step 2: Steaming the flour

In another bowl, put 4-5 tablespoons of flour (not too heaping) from the total amount. Pour 150 ml of boiling milk and mix well until you obtain a homogeneous composition. Let it cool to room temperature. This process of steaming the flour will give the sweet bread a soft and fluffy texture.

Step 3: Preparing the dough

In a large bowl, put the remaining flour. In the center of the flour, sprinkle the salt, sugar, lemon zest, and egg yolks. Gently mix in the center, then add the softened butter, the cooled steamed dough, and the activated yeast. Start gradually incorporating the warm milk, kneading the dough vigorously for about 20 minutes. It is important to knead well to activate the gluten, which will make the dough elastic and fluffy.

Step 4: First rising

After the dough is well kneaded, cover it with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, until it doubles in volume. You can put it in a preheated oven at 30 degrees to speed up the process.

Step 5: Preparing the filling

In a saucepan, melt 50 g of butter together with the milk and sugar. Add the ground walnuts, cocoa, raisins, and Turkish delight (if using) and mix well. Let the filling cool slightly before using it.

Step 6: Forming the sweet breads

After the dough has risen, divide it into 4 equal pieces. On a work surface, stretch each piece by hand, adding the filling over the entire surface. Roll each piece, then braid two by two. This step will give the sweet breads a beautiful shape and allow the filling to distribute evenly.

Step 7: Second rising

Line two sweet bread pans with parchment paper and place the formed sweet breads in the pans. Let them rise for another 30 minutes. Meanwhile, you can prepare a mixture of the egg yolk diluted with a little milk to brush the sweet breads before baking.

Step 8: Baking

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Brush the sweet breads with the egg and milk mixture, then sprinkle brown sugar on top for a caramelized effect. Bake the sweet breads for 40-45 minutes or until they become golden and pass the toothpick test. If you notice they are browning too quickly, you can cover the pans with aluminum foil.

Step 9: Cooling and serving

Once done, remove the sweet breads from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, you can transfer them to a rack to cool completely. This step is important to avoid moisture in the dough.

Serving suggestions

The sweet bread is delicious served plain, but you can accompany it with a cup of warm milk or a cup of aromatic coffee. You can also add a spoonful of fruit jam for a sweet-sour contrast or vanilla ice cream for a more sophisticated dessert.

Variations and useful tips

- Vary the filling: You can use chocolate, candied fruits, or even cream cheese. Be creative and adapt the recipe to your preferences!
- The dough: If you prefer a lighter dough, you can reduce the amount of butter or sugar.
- Easy to prepare: Prepare the ingredients the night before and let them sit at room temperature to facilitate the preparation process.

Nutritional benefits

The sweet bread is a good source of carbohydrates, providing energy for the whole day. The nuts in the filling bring healthy fats and proteins, while the eggs contribute to the intake of vitamins and minerals.

Frequently asked questions

1. Why didn't my sweet bread rise?
- Make sure the yeast is fresh and that the dough was allowed to rise in a warm place.

2. Can I use dry yeast?
- Yes, you can replace fresh yeast with 20 g of dry yeast. Mix it directly into the flour.

3. How can I store the sweet bread?
- Keep it in a plastic bag or an airtight container at room temperature. You can freeze it to consume later.

4. Is there a gluten-free version?
- You can use gluten-free flour, but the result may differ in terms of texture.

This steamed dough sweet bread will not only bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones but will also become a staple in your holiday recipes. Each bite will be an explosion of taste and aroma, evoking beautiful memories and unforgettable moments. Enjoy the cooking process and don't forget to share the joy with your loved ones!

 Ingredients: 1 kg flour 8 egg yolks + 1 yolk for brushing 300 g sugar 500 ml milk 200 g butter 50 g fresh yeast a pinch of salt 2 packets of vanilla sugar lemon and clementine or orange zest Filling: 1/2 cup of milk 50 g butter 200 g sugar 2-3 tablespoons cocoa 250 g ground walnuts pieces of Turkish delight (optional) raisins (optional)

 Tags:  steamed dough cake sweet bread sweet bread filling dough for sweet bread