Popcorn cake

The popcorn cake is a traditional dessert, perfect for holidays or special moments when you want to impress your guests with a fluffy and aromatic delicacy. This recipe is simple yet full of flavors and textures, and each bite will transport you to a world of delicious tastes. Let's discover together how to prepare this wonderful cake, step by step!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Rising time: 2 hours
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total: 3 hours
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 500 g all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 225 ml milk
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 packet dry yeast
- 1 pinch of salt
- 50 g melted butter (for dough)
- 50 g melted butter (for filling and greasing the pans)

For the filling:
- 100 g raisins
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the syrup:
- Juice of 3 mandarins
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar

For brushing:
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons milk

Preparing the raisins

Start by preparing the raisins, making sure to cover them with warm water and add a splash of rum essence. This step is essential, as the rum flavor will give your cake a special taste. Let them soak for about 1 hour, then drain them in a colander to remove excess water.

Preparing the dough

1. Heating the milk: Heat the milk in a saucepan, making sure it doesn't boil. Add the 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar and stir well until the sugar completely dissolves. It is important that the milk is warm but not hot, so as not to kill the yeast.

2. Mixing the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift the flour and mix it with the dry yeast and a pinch of salt. This step will ensure an even texture of the dough.

3. Combining the ingredients: Add the warm milk (which has cooled almost completely), the whole egg, and the melted but cooled butter. Use a wooden spoon to combine the ingredients until you get a homogeneous dough.

4. Kneading: Start kneading the dough with your hands, incorporating all the butter. Kneading should take about 10 minutes until the dough becomes elastic and smooth. You can add a little flour if necessary, but be careful not to dry it out.

5. Letting the dough rise: Place the ball of dough in a bowl covered with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it triples in volume.

Preparing the pans

Meanwhile, prepare the pans for the cakes. Grease them with melted butter and line them with parchment paper, which you also grease with butter. This step will help the cakes not to stick.

Forming the cakes

1. Rolling out the dough: After the dough has risen, place it on a floured surface and roll it out into a square sheet of about 40 cm wide.

2. Adding the filling: Spread the remaining melted butter over the dough sheet, sprinkle the brown sugar, drained raisins, and cinnamon. The flavors will combine perfectly, giving your cake a delicious taste.

3. Rolling and cutting: Roll the dough sheet tightly, then cut the roll into 6 equal pieces. Place 3 rolls in each pan, cover them with plastic wrap, and let them rise for another hour.

Baking the cakes

After the rolls have risen beautifully, prepare the brushing mixture from the beaten egg and the 2 tablespoons of milk. Brush the cakes with this mixture for a golden and appetizing crust. Then, place them in a preheated oven at 180°C and bake for 30 minutes, or until they are golden and fluffy.

Preparing the syrup

While the cakes are in the oven, prepare the syrup. Squeeze the juice of 3 mandarins and place it in a small pot, adding the powdered sugar. Boil the mixture until it thickens, creating a delicious syrup that will glaze the cakes.

Finalizing

When the cakes are ready, remove them from the oven and brush them with the prepared syrup. This step will add an extra layer of flavor and keep the cakes moist and delicious.

Serving and suggestions

The popcorn cake is delicious both warm and cold. You can serve it plain or pair it with a cup of fragrant tea or a strong espresso. You can also add a spoonful of cream cheese or peanut butter for an extra flavor boost.

Recipe variations

To customize the popcorn cake, you can replace the raisins with chopped nuts or almonds, or you can add chocolate pieces for a decadent dessert. You can also experiment with different flavors, such as vanilla or almonds, to adapt the recipe to your preferences.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the rising period?
The dough needs to rise for 1 hour, but depending on the room temperature, it may take longer.

What type of flour is best for the cake?
All-purpose flour is ideal due to its gluten content, which helps create a fluffy texture.

Can I use fresh yeast instead of dry yeast?
Yes, you can replace dry yeast with fresh yeast. Use 25 g of fresh yeast instead of one packet of dry yeast.

How well does the cake keep?
The cake keeps well at room temperature for 2-3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it.

Calories and nutritional benefits

A serving of popcorn cake contains about 250 calories, depending on the ingredients used. It provides a source of carbohydrates from flour and sugar, but it is important to consume it in moderation due to the sugar and fat content from the butter.

The popcorn cake is a recipe that brings joy and warmth to every home. Each step in its preparation is an opportunity to create special moments with loved ones. So, roll up your sleeves and enjoy this delicious dessert!

 Ingredients: 500 g white flour type 650, 1 egg, 225 ml milk, 3 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 packet dry yeast, a pinch of salt, 50 g melted butter for the dough, 50 g melted butter for the filling and greasing the trays, 100 g raisins, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, cinnamon. For the syrup: juice of 3 mandarins, 3 tablespoons grated powdered sugar. For greasing: 1 egg, 2 tablespoons milk.

 Tags:  sweet bread christmas recipes