My Martyrs from Leavened Dough
To prepare a delicious recipe for Mucenici, start by preparing the dough. Combine the flour with the yeast, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Gradually add the warm milk and the beaten egg, mixing with a wooden spatula until you obtain a homogeneous dough. Begin kneading the dough with your hands for about 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place, away from drafts, until its volume doubles. This process can take between 1 and 2 hours, depending on the room temperature.
After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured work surface. Break off half of the dough and shape it into rolls about 2 cm thick. Braid these rolls into a figure 8, making sure to join the ends well so they do not unravel during baking. Place the Mucenici on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between them to rise.
Meanwhile, prepare the syrup from water, sugar, and rum essence. In a small pot, add 200 ml of water and 150 g of sugar. Boil the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let the syrup boil for a few minutes, then add the 2 drops of rum essence, mixing well to infuse the flavor.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Bake the Mucenici for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden and fluffy. Once they are ready, take them out of the oven and let them cool slightly. Then, dip each Mucenic in the warm syrup, allowing them to soak for 2-3 minutes. This step is essential to give them a moist texture and a distinct aromatic taste.
After they have cooled, arrange the Mucenici on a nice platter. Use a brush to coat them with honey, which will add a sweet note and help the toasted and ground nuts stick better to them. Sprinkle the nuts on top, making sure to cover each Mucenic evenly. This way, the little delights will acquire an appetizing appearance and become irresistible. Serve them with love alongside your loved ones, savoring moments of joy and tradition in every bite.
Ingredients: Dough: 500 g flour, 2 egg yolks, 100 g sugar, 12 g brewer's yeast, milk 100 ml at first and then I continued but I don't remember how much I added, I think another 300 ml. Anyway, milk as needed, vanilla, margarine or butter as much as 2 walnuts. I didn't add it to the dough but used it to grease my hands when kneading. Syrup made from: water + sugar + rum essence 2 drops, honey, walnut.
